https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 10 May 2026 18:26:27 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-447095 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 11:45:22 +0000 pastemoo 447095@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Lozza: If only we hadn't stopped it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-446923 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 10:39:37 +0000 Lozza 446923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Re: starting bottles early, my lactation consultant recommended that we start doing one bottle of pumped milk per day from the very beginning. She said that one bottle would make sure that LO was used to the bottle and would take one, and that just one a day wouldn't pose a threat to nursing. I'm really glad we did that- I liked being able to ever leave LO, LO was always a champ about taking a bottle, and he had no problem nursing the rest of the time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-446841 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 10:01:13 +0000 wheres_c 446841@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Since i was seperated from my baby after birth, he was fed from a bottle right away since I was in recovery.<br /> 2 days later once we were reunited, i had supply issues and he had latching issues. Now at 1 week old, fingers crossed, he either breastfeeds or will drink pumped milk from bottle. No nipple confusion just yet.</p> <p>Its been great because ive been able to BF and focus on my recovery too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-446582 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 04:27:54 +0000 regberadaisy 446582@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree that as long as baby is getting all breast milk that is EBF.</p> <p>M switches back and forth between breast &amp; bottle no problems. I think we introduced a bottle around 3 or 4 weeks? I had to go back to work at 6 weeks.</p> <p>@mrsjyw: you have a son! ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-446503 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 00:33:31 +0000 Arden 446503@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think breastfeeding is ideal, but feeding pumped breast milk is still certainly worlds better than formula (for most babies).<br /> Some people can't breastfeed all the time for one reason or another, and so they pump.<br /> That still requires a ton of dedication and provides the baby with the healthiest option - breast milk.</p> <p>I don't know if I would label it EBF or not, but in the end, the baby is still getting breast milk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-446498 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 00:12:19 +0000 PinkElephant 446498@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pastemoo: ack the spoon. The bane of my existence at the moment - its the only way I can get LO to have some water or juice with her solids. So slow, and so messy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-446475 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 23:51:35 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 446475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I pump &amp; feed directly from the breast and I consider that EBF.<br /> I can't leave my baby for more than 3h or else my breasts will explode ;) I need to pump frequently or nurse...<br /> So that kinda sucks...even if DH got up with bottle feed DS, I'd still have to get up and pump </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-446458 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 23:41:40 +0000 erwoo 446458@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't pump but I think it's still considered EBF if you're pumping. Baby's still getting all breast milk. No difference to me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-446438 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 23:23:57 +0000 prettylizy 446438@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I hear EBF, I think breastmilk and consider all those mama's who work and pump or EPers EBFers too. My DD mostly nurses because I have 1 year maternity leave, but she takes a bottle here and there (tonight for instance, MIL watched her) when I need to be away from her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-446395 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 23:01:18 +0000 Beehive 446395@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sure it depends on the baby, but we also didn't experience any nipple confusion - my son is mostly fed from the breast, but he will drink the occasional bottle of breastmilk (and, very rarely, formula), and has been drinking from a bottle every now and then since he was a few days old. He never had any trouble going back to the breast. </p> <p>My pediatrician recommends introducing bottles before 2 months if that's something that interests you, otherwise the baby may reject bottles altogether, and you could be stuck if you ever need (or want) to use bottles in the future! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-446329 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 22:22:45 +0000 pastemoo 446329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I consider it EBF... but some EBF babies are bottle rejectors --like mine now :( Maybe that is what the other mom meant?@PinkElephant: We pumped and gave bottles once a day from when my milk came in (also so dad could participate) and he stopped taking bottles around 3 months after a few weeks when Dad skipped all his feedings due to a work schedule thing. DS no longer takes a bottle even when starving. We have better luck with a spoon (SLOW!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-446312 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 22:16:28 +0000 runsyellowlites 446312@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think ebf has become a blanket statement for giving breastmilk &amp; not giving formula BUT the majority of the moms I know that ebf do not give bottles at all &amp; those who don't nurse say the exclusively pump. Having done both, bottlefeeding &amp; nursing I've found there is definitely an initial bonding difference &amp; personally I think of nursing when I hear breastfeeding, not "breastmilk".</p> <p>Considering the WHO recommendation of feeding &amp; "exclusively breastfeeding" it would seem that from the breast would be ebf &amp; then pumping would be what their #2 way to feed baby is..... Likely because breastfeeding isn't seen as just about nutrition but nurture &amp; chemical/hormonal factors that happen only during nursing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-446253 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:54:33 +0000 sarac 446253@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs. wagon: BreastMILK is best, that's it! EBF means breastmilk only, and how you deliver it doesn't matter at all. Pumping is a pain in the ass, honestly, and you may find that you don't want to do it if you don't have to. Or you may love it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-446211 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:39:59 +0000 maybebaby 446211@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: Thank you for sharing!! This is so helpful and I look forward to learning more about it...we are 24 weeks out, so I have a ways to go, but I am trying to learn everything I can :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-446152 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:16:18 +0000 PinkElephant 446152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@maybebaby: Not at all. I know I was on the early end of things, giving a bottle at three weeks, but it was really important to me that hubby be able to participate in feedings, and that I was able to leave the house to do things like go to the gym without having to be stressed about if my daughter was hungry. I was worried that if I waited to introduce the bottle until later, she wouldn't take it. She is now almost 6 months old and fortunately drinks equally well from breast or bottle. She refused the bottle once when she wasn't feeling well, but that's the only time I can think of. We use the Tommee Tippee closer to nature bottles/teats and they've been a hit.</p> <p>Just a side note with an alternate option for those worried about nipple confusion - my midwife actually had LO drinking from a cup (like a little shot glass) at the hospital so that we could measure the amount of expressed breastmilk she was getting without worrying about nipple confusion. Medela makes a "spoon" specifically for this purpose. It was a bit weird to see a days-old baby being cup fed, but it was amazing how naturally she was able to do it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-446120 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:05:00 +0000 Pink Champagne 446120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@maybebaby: just to throw it out there, we gave DS a bottle from day one in the hospital because he was preemie and they made us supplement with formula because he was having a hard time latching. Kiddo switches back and forth between breast and bottle like a champ, and always has. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-446114 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:02:06 +0000 maybebaby 446114@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pink Champagne: That's a big part of what appeals to me bottle feeding breast milk--having DH participate in such a special time of nurturing and bonding. i will be the primary caretaker for baby after DH's two weeks of paternity leave, and i want to make sure he gets to have as much special time with the babe as possible.</p> <p>@PinkElephant: did you find LO had any issues switching between breast and bottle that early or has it been a smooth transition? i know every baby will be different, but this is so helpful to hear how other people have worked it out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-446104 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 20:59:16 +0000 Bao 446104@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pink Champagne: I agree with what you said about the breast is best thing meaning the milk, and not necessarily the suckling. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-446095 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 20:57:25 +0000 Pink Champagne 446095@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think if it's all breast milk = EBF.<br /> Pretty sure the "breast is best" refers to the nutritional content of breast milk and not the action of suckling on the breast. Yes, there are all kinds of bonding benefits to nursing, but mom (or dad, for that matter) can bond with baby just as effectively by giving baby a bottle.<br /> But I am getting off topic :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-446057 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 20:50:52 +0000 mrsjyw 446057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS gets one nighttime bottle of pumped milk and we usually have an emergency bottle pumped for whenever I need to leave the house for doc appts, etc. on my own...</p> <p>I still consider DS to be exclusively breast-fed, though I have heard that EBF = feeding from breast only. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-446044 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 20:48:57 +0000 PinkElephant 446044@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feed a mixture of from the breast and pumped milk from the bottle, and have been doing so since LO was three weeks old. She gets 1-2 pumped bottles a day, 1 before I go to bed as a dream feed, and others if I need to be out of the house and she's with the nanny. I definitely tell people all the time that she's EBF, or if I'm talking to someone who I know is a stickler for details, I'll say "She only drinks my milk" and am not specific about the method of delivery. Pumping or feeding directly, you're still doing the hard work of making milk! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-445960 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 20:24:45 +0000 mrs. wagon 445960@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I consider myself an exclusive pumper, but many people have told me "that means LMW is exclusively breastfed!". I guess if there's no formula involved, it's still considered EBF. BreastMILK is best?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-445944 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 20:21:10 +0000 littlek 445944@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think EBF is any breastmilk.. Whether pumped or not </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-445927 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 20:17:37 +0000 maybebaby 445927@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for the responses, everyone!</p> <p>@bebefly: This is exactly what I was looking for--I knew my "plan" to get hubby to help early on was too good to be true :) I will read more about nipple confusion and supply, but this makes total sense to me.</p> <p>@scg00387: i hope your surgery went well, and glad that pumping worked especially in a case like this!</p> <p>@glimmersnaps: i've heard that a lot too--people planned to but it just didn't happen. makes sense--boob is convenient, always there and the perfect temperature!</p> <p>@yin: it always makes me sad regardless of if one breast or formula feeds how much of a concern other people's opinions are--i am already feeling self conscious of parenting decisions and i haven't even had the baby yet! congratulations for making it to a year, that is amazing. there is a great post about EBF via pumped milk on HPT: <a href="http://www.healthytippingpoint.com/2012/09/why-i-pump-and-why-you-shouldnt-feel-bad-for-me.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.healthytippingpoint.com/2012/09/why-i-pump-and-why-you-shouldnt-feel-bad-for-me.html</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-445838 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:54:16 +0000 yin 445838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was conflicted by this too. I exclusively pumped for a year, and I had a difficult time accepting if my pumped milk in a bottle was good enough to be considered EBF. My LO wasn't going to the breast, but he was receiving my breast milk in each one of his bottles. I guess I was more worried about what other people thought, but when it comes down to it, I did EBF my LO. It just happened to be a different delivery method. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-445820 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:50:21 +0000 lovehoneybee 445820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As far as I'm concerned as long as it's breast milk it's EBF no matter the delivery method. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-445751 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:35:22 +0000 Weagle 445751@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think if all baby is eating is breast milk it's EBF. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-445700 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:25:13 +0000 T.H.O.U. 445700@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also another reason pumping is hard is because the baby is more efficient than a pump. So it's easier to keep your supply up by nursing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-445663 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:17:15 +0000 glimmersnaps 445663@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes I'd say if all they get is breastmilk then it's EBF.</p> <p>I planned to do the same thing as you but in reality it just didn't happen. It is just SO MUCH EASIER not to mess with bottles and pumping if you don't have to. I didn't leave my son until he was 9 months old but it really didn't feel like a big deal to me. He just came along wherever I needed to go! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-vs-bottlefeeding-breast-milk-stupid-question#post-445533 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 18:54:00 +0000 immabeetoo 445533@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@maybebaby: huh I didn't know there were different opinions I guess! To me, breastmilk is breastmilk. I pumped and introduced a random bottle in the first few days even though ill be staying at home. Had emergency surgery last night and thankful we knew he'd take a bottle and had one pumped- otherwise we'd have had to buy and use formula </p>