[Jodi0804]

Hey ladies. I have a question about when to introduce a bottle when BF. So far my lo has not had a bottle. I have been pumping some and have quite a stash going in the freezer. I am somewhat anxious about giving him a bottle of BM, not sure why. I guess the first 3 weeks of BF are so hard and take such commitment I'm afraid he won't be interested in it if he gets a bottle. His latch is good and he definitely knows what to do. When he is really fussy or isn't that hungry (pedi wanst us to continue to wake him up after 3-4 hours to eat if he is still asleep) he does take a bit longer to get on. However giving a bottle would make going out much easier and eventually he will need to take a bottle of BM. When did you first introduce a bottle, is there a window that is too soon or too late? I am so new to this and just looking for any input!

[BabyBird]

I think I gave Haylea her first bottle around 4 weeks and then she only got one about once a week or less until I went back to work at 12 weeks. I wanted to make sure she would take it for babysitters and daddy and she did fine going back and forth between me and the bottle...still does. Her only problem when I first came back to work ws sometimes her first morning bottle she would get a little choked because it comes out so fast and catches her off guard.

I understand being anxious about it though...when you put so much energy into getting it down the last thing you want to do is give a bottle! But he will be fine and you don't want to wait too long (not sure what the recommended window is though) because then he might not want the bottle at all. I think that doesnt happen until much later though.

[KCMomma]

I introduced a bottle once a day starting at 4 weeks. I was told when you give your LO a bottle to have DH do it or someone else and for you to not even be around. I know it sucks, but if they smell you or hear you they probably won't be interested in the bottle. And you might have to play around a little with what bottles work for ya. I found that the nipples for playtex drop in's were most similar to nipples and were easy for her to take. And I definitely think you pumping right now and stashing some away is VERY smart. You will think you have a ton in your freezer, but it goes soooo quick once you have to go back to work. So stash stash stash!!! After every feeding starting once my milk came in, I would pump until I thought it was empty and just stashed away! Also, that one feeding where you give a bottle pump then to to add to your stash. HTH some!!

[*Mommy2Camden*]

In breastfeeding class they suggested 4 weeks as well. Good luck!

[courtneytcu98]

I think that if your baby is a successful BF'er, there will be no problem with him taking a bottle. Elliott switched back and forth effortlessly from the first week of his life through when I weaned him at 8 months.

[xanada101]

I can only ditto the other girls. I think I tried Kerrigan at 3 weeks... and it was a little trial and error. DEFINITELY have someone else give him the bottle though. If possible too, have your DH be skin to skin with William when he feeds him the bottle. They tend to feed better that way.... so it's worth a try. GL

I started around week 6 or something. GL!

[FyreMommy2B]

I wish I had fed Ashlynn a bit more regularly with a bottle because now she literally has no idea how to latch to it and usually chokes on the breastmilk. And that's even with the slowest flow nipple I could find. We used Playtex Ventaire, Avent now and this First Years Breastflow (which is the best one so far to get her to take to it.) I'm sure we just need to keep practicing with her daily until she gets the hang of it but I never realized she would have such a hard time taking to a bottle.

[Lauren S]

I think we did around 4 weeks as well. I suggest giving him a bottle once every few days for awhile until he really has the hang of it. This makes it easier for them to switch back and forth. Brady had no trouble at all with the bottle in the beginning. Good luck!