https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:11:10 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2061171 Mon, 09 Feb 2015 14:50:36 +0000 Espion 2061171@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lemondrop: Thank you so much for the reply! This actually helps a lot. I'm worried, because it seems like my supply is just enough to tide him over. My pump output is somewhat lousy, but that's pumping only after he's eaten. My work schedule is similar in that sometimes I only work half days. But other days, I might be gone the entire time. Hopefully it will all work out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2060166 Mon, 09 Feb 2015 02:43:48 +0000 lemondrop 2060166@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: It wasn't easy, but after my first I had the pumping thing mostly figured out so I wasn't super concerned plus I kept a few packs of ready to feed formula bottles in the pantry just in case. I also work part time (all day one day and several half days) and some work from home during very odd hours, so it worked out. </p> <p>I had anticipated him coming in early March, but he made me wait two more weeks leaving me at 2 weeks and 5 days when I started work again. My husband actually brought him to nurse during my lunch breaks the first two weeks since it was so soon. </p> <p>I started pumping right when my milk came in since the engorgement was super uncomfortable. For the first couple weeks I pretty much pumped after each big feeding (kept my pump stuff in the fridge all day and washed it at night- my lifesaver!), had my husband give him maybe an ounce or less by bottle when he got home from work so they would be used to it and froze the rest. He of course wasn't eating that much back then, so I'd work to have like 2 fairly full small bottles ready to go and he'd offer them throughout the day. </p> <p>Now my pumped stash isn't nearly as big as my first, I maybe have 10 4-5oz bags in the freezer, I pump 2x a day on Monday and Tuesday and pull 1-2 frozen bags out for my full day. Pump after work and before bed to replace the frozen bags, and so far we have a balance. I stopped pumping during my full work day by 10 months, and while I go home full after a 8 hour day, I can feed and still have left over milk to pump. I doubt I could get away with it on an every day basis, but the part days are only a 3-4 hour disruption in nursing, and maybe one 5 oz bottle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2059968 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 20:59:03 +0000 Espion 2059968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lemondrop: Not to topic jack, but when you had only a 3 week maternity leave, had you built up a stash before you went back to work? How often did you have them give your LO bottles? My maternity leave is only 4 weeks, and I'm trying to figure out a routine after going to work, because so far this kid nurses every two hours or less. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2059946 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 20:32:39 +0000 bisous 2059946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At 4 weeks. We had sporadic problems if I was nearby. By the time she went to daycare at 12 weeks she was totally fine with bottle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2059916 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 20:09:35 +0000 californiadreams 2059916@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wait almost 8 weeks and he took it no problem. In fact he took bottles sporacidally for a whole year until I went back to work and I wanted him to have one at lunch everyday - then he started refusing! But that didn't last long,was just an adjustment period. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2059905 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 20:03:40 +0000 AggieDaze 2059905@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We introduced at 6 weeks and never had a problem with him switching back and forth between bottle and breast. I wonder if the kiddo's latch and nature are more impactful than the timing? But, our pediatrician recommended starting at 6 weeks so I could establish breast feeding and that gave us 6 weeks before my maternity leave was over. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2059869 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 19:18:19 +0000 PurplePeony 2059869@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO's pediatrician suggested introducing a bottle at about 3 weeks and giving one at least every other day. We took her advice and never had any issues with bottle refusal or nipple confusion. I would usually use milk I'd already pumped for the bottle and while DH was feeding her, I'd pump a new bottle's worth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2059856 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 19:09:38 +0000 Smurfette 2059856@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Two weeks and she took it ok but then would not take one. Had bottle boot camp bathe weekend before she started day care. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2059798 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 17:38:53 +0000 lemondrop 2059798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The second day with #1, he was admitted to the NICU for jaundice. The first week with #2, once I got engorged I started pumping. I've never had issues with confusion with either boy, and it was awesome to just hand a bottle to my husband or Grammy and walk away. Plus the second time I went back to work at 3 weeks pp, so we had to start right away.</p> <p>I usually pump after his morning meal and before I go to bed every few days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2059519 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 11:45:21 +0000 Grace 2059519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We waited and LO wouldn't take a bottle. Luckily, she caught on to solid food and sippies pretty quick, so after 6 months, I wasn't prisoner any more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2059464 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 10:33:20 +0000 CakeLady 2059464@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We introduced a bottle at 3 weeks and DH gave him one every several days. It worked out well for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2059410 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 09:48:47 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2059410@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With LO1 he had them from birth because he was a preemie and we ended up EPing in the long run. </p> <p>With LO2 I plan to introduce one probably around 1 week so that dh can help with feedings at least once a day. The thought of having a baby that refuses a bottle is infinitely more scary to me than having a baby that refuses to nurse. I would much prefer to EP over having to exclusively nurse, so that definitely factors into my decision. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2059398 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 09:33:07 +0000 Mrs. J 2059398@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>7 weeks, before I went back to work. I didn't want to affect breastfeeding, and we had little to no issues. Took a bit to figure out which bottle worked best. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2059352 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 08:28:34 +0000 illumina 2059352@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>2 weeks old. My midwife said it would be fine and she wouldn't get confused...and she didn't. We bottle fed her around once a week from then on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2059300 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 05:58:21 +0000 Mrs. Blue 2059300@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Confetti: I've been meaning to post this exact question. Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2059295 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 04:16:38 +0000 Mrs. Confetti 2059295@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone. Gonna get on this soon :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2059275 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 02:27:58 +0000 Rocker2014 2059275@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>4 weeks, no issues going back and forth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2059272 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 02:05:40 +0000 Corduroy 2059272@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We introduced a bottle at 4 weeks. LO took it with no problem and then refused to take a bottle again for 3 more months. It was a major stressor for me but she did take the bottle once daycare started. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2059271 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 01:59:54 +0000 QBbride 2059271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>6 weeks. My MW said to wait until then to make sure breastfeeding was well established. My son never had any problems taking the occasional bottle. I would pump after his first feed in the AM (and saved for a few days since I never responded well to the pump). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2059042 Sat, 07 Feb 2015 20:31:51 +0000 Mrs. Toad 2059042@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At 4 weeks, and he only took it in the beginning if he was hungry and I wasn't there. He still doesn't like it, but will take the bottle.</p> <p>Most of my milk came from pumping the first 5 minutes in the morning. I was engorged and he was unable to latch for the first week prior to my pumping. I have an awesome sleeper that only woke me up twice to feed after going down for the night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2059036 Sat, 07 Feb 2015 20:26:30 +0000 mfa_lady 2059036@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our LC suggested starting to pump and give bottles between 2 and 4 weeks to combat possible rejection! After having two friends with recent horror stories about their kiddos not taking a bottle, I took her advice. DH gives our little lady a bottle just about every evening when he gets home from work. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2059008 Sat, 07 Feb 2015 19:50:46 +0000 MrsKoala 2059008@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>2 weeks and so glad I started early. I pumped in the morning after his first big feed of the day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2059000 Sat, 07 Feb 2015 19:44:40 +0000 JerricaBenton 2059000@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I never really wanted to pump so I don't consider it a horror story for us, but I didn't attempt to give a bottle until maybe 2 months and it was a resounding no. She never took a bottle. So I would say try before then lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2058990 Sat, 07 Feb 2015 19:37:16 +0000 Rockies11 2058990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am one of those horror stores - waited until six weeks, and she literally NEVER took a bottle. We had to spoon feed her bm at daycare, until she finally got old enough to drink it out of a cup. She would go 12 hours screaming her head off and starving rather than take a bottle. Even at 19 months, she's still a maniac if she doesn't get to bf when she wants to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2058968 Sat, 07 Feb 2015 19:24:27 +0000 Beth24 2058968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ped suggested 3 weeks so that's when I introduced a bottle. She took it no problem and now she's almost 5 months old and easily goes back and forth from bottle to breast. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2058964 Sat, 07 Feb 2015 19:18:44 +0000 Adira 2058964@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both times, we introduced a bottle around three weeks and had no issues. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2058901 Sat, 07 Feb 2015 18:00:13 +0000 turquoisemama 2058901@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sometime in the first week so I could sleep longer. I pump if I'm running low on back up stash, lately every few days. She doesn't seem to have a problem switch back and forth. She's had probably 5 bottles or so. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2058876 Sat, 07 Feb 2015 17:23:24 +0000 Radish 2058876@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We gave her the first one at 5 days old and have given her about 4 total now at 11 days old. I usually pump in the afternoon because she has been sleeping long stretches and I get engorged around that time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2058862 Sat, 07 Feb 2015 17:03:20 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2058862@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A couple days old we startes one pumped bottle a day. I pump every morning after his first feed. </p> <p>My theory was, if he's nursing 12 times plus a day, one bottle in there isn't goinng to mess things up! And it didn't at all. He gladly will take a bottle when needed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-non-eping-mamas-when-did-you-introduce-a-bottle#post-2058854 Sat, 07 Feb 2015 16:48:03 +0000 Mrs.Someone 2058854@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At 4w we were told that he wasn't getting enough from the breast (poor suction), so I pumped after every feed and gave him a small bottle. </p>