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Category: Postpartum

Asked by susan44

Q: Want to nurse and use bottle any advice

With my daughter i breast fed exclusively but now for my second child i would like to try and both breast feed and pump/bottle feed. My dr advised that i should not start using the bottle until the baby is at least 3-4 weeks old but i wondered if any of you ladies had any experience or advice that could help make this process smoother as i was hoping to start letting my husband and daughter feed the new baby earlier than that. Thanks for any help you can offer!

This question was asked Aug. 22, 2014 7:12pm
Category: Postpartum

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Answered by estone - Aug. 23, 2014 9:50pm
It is a personal choice. We waited to give my daughter the bottle until 5-6 weeks, then she absolutely refused it, so I wish I would have introduced it sooner. She is now 8 months and takes it just fine, but it was definitely an adjustment phase. Also, if you plan on pumping, I recommend pumping right after your milk comes in, as you will most likely be engorged and have an abundant milk supply. I did this and was able to stash away 600 oz of milk! I am just now starting to use some of the stored milk, as I am back to work now. Either way, baby will adjust to whatever decision you decide.

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Answered by Mmkohl - Aug. 23, 2014 3:08am
My son had no problem going back and forth and I didn't use a "breast like" bottle. I didn't wait any number of weeks to use a bottle either because I had a c-section and was trying to get as much rest as possible the first week when my hubby was home. I did however have trouble with him latching on sometimes but found nipple shields to be a life saver. My nipples do t stick out very far so I would use a nipple shield for a few minutes then take it off and he could latch on to the breast! I know I am lucky he didn't care about the nipple he used but maybe yours won't care either. Good luck!

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Answered by lyssa7872 - Aug. 23, 2014 12:28am
It really all depends on the child. My son got a pacifier and a similac, ready made, bottle in the hospital while I was in recover,y so he NEVER wanted to latch. The bottle had a hard nipple that was not natural feeling at all. And he refused to use anything that had much give, like my nipples. However, my nephew was started out with breast feeding and special breast like bottle nipples and had NO trouble swapping back and forth. I would do some research and read some reviews on the best types of bottles and nipples for people with your wants and go from there :)

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Answered by Papas~Mama - Aug. 22, 2014 9:34pm
I did both but I waited about a month(had to go back to work). It's a personal decision for everyone of course but like most people I would suggest holding off as long as you could.

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Answered by Cattsmeow - Aug. 22, 2014 8:19pm
I would suggest waiting to introduce the bottle. My son is now 3 weeks old and refuses the breast because we caved and gave him a bottle when he was 4 days old. I am exclusively pumping and it is a huge pain. Plus, it has affected my supply and we are having to supplement with formula.

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Answered by Sianny - Aug. 22, 2014 8:05pm
Babies can get nipple confusion from using both, it is a lot easier for them to latch and drink from a bottle, they don't have to work so hard for the milk to flow. This very often means they reject the breast because it's too much hard work.
Some babies however are happy either way but if they do reject the breast you would need to work extra hard to exclusively pump or switch to formula.


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