https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 24 May 2026 10:16:24 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-introducing-bottle#post-1337670 Sat, 11 Jan 2014 12:06:06 +0000 illumina 1337670@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We introduced a bottle when she was around 2wks old. We have given her one a week roughly ever since and she will take it from anyone and is not fussed over whether she gets the bottle or boob now...both are just as good :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-introducing-bottle#post-1337377 Sat, 11 Jan 2014 09:04:59 +0000 singingbee 1337377@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pirouette: we first gave a bottle when LO was 4 days old. I had to pump for her to latch because I was so engorged. DH would give a bottle of pumped milk every few days. I didn't LO a bottle until she was about 8 weeks old. LO can go back and forth between boob and bottle with no problem at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-introducing-bottle#post-1337350 Sat, 11 Jan 2014 08:49:10 +0000 Pirouette 1337350@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurplePeony: that's a good idea - I like the idea of a combo feed to start. I hope my lo does as well as yours! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-introducing-bottle#post-1336942 Fri, 10 Jan 2014 21:06:03 +0000 PurplePeony 1336942@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started around 3 weeks at her pediatrician's recommendation. She doesn't love the bottle -- usually she gives us this look like "umm, are you trying to pull a fast one on me? That's NOT where food comes from!" but she will drink from it. I was afraid of nipple confusion, so for her first few bottles we actually gave her only a couple ounces and then let her finish on the breast, and she was fine with both. She gets a bottle every other day or so, just to keep her in practice. </p> <p>I'm sure your LO will do just fine, too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-introducing-bottle#post-1336778 Fri, 10 Jan 2014 19:18:08 +0000 edelweiss 1336778@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we started a supplemental bottle (first with formula, then with pumped milk) at 5 days old because of weight issues. i was pumping after nursing sessions and built a stash that we could use for bottles. after weight and nursing issues were on track after a couple of weeks, i continued to give 1 bottle per day (and i would pump afterwards) to keep LO used to it.</p> <p>we never had any nipple confusion issues and are still breastfeeding at 11.5 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-introducing-bottle#post-1336660 Fri, 10 Jan 2014 18:17:53 +0000 Jewel664 1336660@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Totally agree with @ smurfette- DH give bottle when he gets home and nurse before bed. We started at 4 weeks with one bottle per night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-introducing-bottle#post-1336437 Fri, 10 Jan 2014 16:32:56 +0000 Pirouette 1336437@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septca: thats good to hear! And dh is so excited to be able to feed her!</p> <p>@Adira: thats a good idea - maybe I'll have him give her a bottle on a weekend during the day and then eventually we can switch to nights once she's used to it. </p> <p>@Smurfette: yea I'm scared she won't take one, and also scared she'll love it and refuse the breast! But I think we'll have to take the plunge ASAP! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-introducing-bottle#post-1336152 Fri, 10 Jan 2014 15:04:37 +0000 Smurfette 1336152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started introducing at 2 weeks, and then stopped for awhile and it was so hard to get her to take one. So start ASAP!</p> <p>I would have your DH give LO a bottle every night to get her in the habit of one. Maybe right when he gets home from work, and then you can nurse before bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-introducing-bottle#post-1336146 Fri, 10 Jan 2014 15:03:16 +0000 Adira 1336146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think your plan is good. Pumping in the morning is usually the best time to get anything!</p> <p>As far as introducing, I just had Hubs give Xander a bottle in the middle of the day and I pumped when he did that. Then once you know your LO can take a bottle without a problem, you could have your husband give a bottle at night while you sleep or something. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-introducing-bottle#post-1336140 Fri, 10 Jan 2014 15:02:07 +0000 septca 1336140@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I introduced a bottle at 4 weeks for the same reasons you want to. After hearing so many horror stories, it was actually super easy. DH would give DD a bottle a couple of nights a week - usually around 7:00 pm. It was great because it gave me a few minutes to myself - and it's so cute watching your husband feed your baby! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-introducing-bottle#post-1336100 Fri, 10 Jan 2014 14:52:50 +0000 Pirouette 1336100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO is almost 4 weeks old, and I plan to go back to work at around 10 weeks... So around 6 more weeks. We have ebf so far, but we want to start introducing a bottle so that shell get used to it, and I'd like to start pumping and slowly building a stash, though there's no rush. </p> <p>My thought is to add a pumping session after her first morning feeding (she feeds on one breast per feeding), and I thought we'd slowly introduce a bottle, like maybe 2 feedings per week at first? But I have no clue when to give the bottle - i was thinking maybe have dh give it at night before she goes to sleep, but I didn't know if she might be cranky if she's tired and not willing to try something new...also, I assume I'd have to stay up to pump anyway so I don't get engorged so I guess that wouldn't save me any sleep. Is there a good time of day for introducing the bottle? </p> <p>She's too young to have any sort of schedule yet, but she is literally always hungry and doesn't sleep much at all during the day, so she's pretty much on my boob all day long. Bfing generally is going well but I think my supply is still adjusting to her needs, and I have an overactive letdown which she handles pretty well but occasionally struggles, especially at night.</p> <p>So, any tips? Should I wait a little longer to introduce the bottle? Is there a good time to do so? I'm a little nervous about bottle feeding, even though I know it's necessary and that I'll love having some freedom once we get the hang of it! </p>