When to start bottles

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 08/15/2011

Anna that's very true. My 5 month old seems to know when we're out and mommy can't feed her and when mommy can feed her. And before I moved my babysitter used to only be able to get her to take 1 bottle no matter how hungry she was on some days.

Anna - posted on 08/15/2011

I heard you should introduce before 3 months but, in all honestly, just because your baby will take the bottle once will he necessarily take it at the time you'll go to your appt. In my case, my son never had a problem with bottles but ever since a few months ago (he's 15 mo. now) he refuses breastmilk from anything but the breast. When I'm at work, the nanny has to trick him by sticking the bottle in his mouth while he's sleeping and letting him finish the milk that way. He won't take it from a cup or a spoon or a bottle while awake. Each baby has a mind of his own. lol

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 08/14/2011

I don't know about the 8 weeks thing especially since in the States maternity leave is only 6 weeks. My 5 month old was started at about 1 week and there was no confusion. She always knows when she can get mommy and when it's time for a bottle.

The best bottles I've found for my daughter are Avent and Born Natural (I don't know if the sell that in the States but I'd imagine they would) Nuk is also a good choice.

Kristin - posted on 08/14/2011

I never bothered with bottles. I just introduced a sippy at around 4 to 6 months, same time they started showing interest in what was on the table and they could sit up.

That being said, you shouldn't start introducing a bottle until your child is 8 weeks to prevent confusion. It will be easier if your child is hungry and it is NOT you feeding her. You may need to try a few different bottle and nipple combo's too. There are still no guarantees.

With my three, I didn't really bother to go without them until they were making it three to four hours between feeds. Then I fed fully before I left and fed again when I got back. We would leave a sippy with breastmilk in it for the sitter to give if bub wouldn't wait.

Good luck.

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 08/13/2011

I knew my baby would have to take a bottle when I went back to work so I started as early as I could. She still won't take them from me at 5 months unless we're in the car and I'm in the backseat (If you've seen some of the roads we have in BC you'd know why someone can't just pull over) But she will take them from other people. Like the other Megan said, have other people give them to your baby first because then she'll get used to having to take a bottle from other people and still associate breastfeeding with you and you won't get refusal. At least that's been my experiance.

Ana - posted on 08/13/2011

At about 1month is good, once you have established your milk and nursing. Up try to use a slow flow nipple and pace her. If you don't havezomeone else around o feed her then turn her out so that she faces the room rather than cradled near your breasts. If she takes it well, then a practice bottle 1-2 times a week should do it. Good luck!

Megan - posted on 08/13/2011

My doctor told me at 4 weeks to start (as long as you weren't having any latching issues). I've done that with both of my kids (start at 4 weeks.. give them a bottle twice a week).. and also have someone other than YOU feed them with it (dad, grandma etc). Worked like a charm!

Tiffany - posted on 08/13/2011

My husband gave my daughter, now 20 mos old, a bottle at 3-4 weeks, so that I could go out for a few hours to finish Christmas shopping without a newborn in tow. I've never had any problems with her refusing to breastfeed. In fact, she still breastfeeds about 2-3x/day. She also had no problems with her bottles at daycare, as I had to return to work FT after 3 months. We used The First Years Breastflow bottles as these along with the Tommee Tippee Close to Nature bottles were the 2 highly recommended for breastfeeding moms. I have heard of some moms needing to try several different types of bottles before finding the one that their child would accept and like. Definitely get someone else to give her the first several bottles, as it's confusing to her if you offer her a bottle of milk while she smells the milk in your breasts. Good luck!

Amy - posted on 08/12/2011

I just watched my nephew who is 3 wks old. He really took to one of those playtex nursers. the drop in ones with the more natural nipple. I think I'll have my husband's mom help. She's a godsend and so patient. Maybe we'll just go to the pond while kids stay up front at the house with her so we can have a break but are still 'on hand' if she needs us.

Emily - posted on 08/12/2011

I did it with my son at 5 months. I had to leave him with a relative (who was a mum herself) for the day because he would not take the bottle from me. It took several hours and trial and error testing different teats before he finally took the bottle. This needed to be done because I went back to work part-time two weeks later. He still had the breast when he was with me, but had the bottle when he was in nursery. My daughter, on the other hand, would never take the bottle. I didn't go back to work after I had her, so there wasn't the necessity.

I think if you want to do it, you have to be persistent. Find a friend or a relative who will be willing to help out because it will be difficult to do it on your own. Good luck! :)

Kayleigh - posted on 08/11/2011

i will not be introducing a bottle my baby is 5months so am just gona introduce sip cup :)

Kayleigh - posted on 08/11/2011

they say t introduce a bottle between 4-8weeks old x

Janet - posted on 08/10/2011

My first, now 2 years, had no issues taking a bottle starting at about 5 1/2 months. My son absolutely REFUSES a bottle from anyone for any reason with any nipple and he's now 5 1/2 months. I've tried breast milk in it, and even formula, with no luck at all. It completely depends on the child is my opinion. My daughter was an easy going baby who just went with the flow, my son has always had a few more issues, even with latching in the beginning and I thought that he would love a bottle because he's so nosy, but no luck so far and we're still trying, for 2 weeks and counting...

Renee - posted on 08/10/2011

I don't know if I was just very lucky, or if the trouble with bottles early is a little exaggerated..My son has been fine with bottles and breast feeding since 2 weeks..he's had a bottle at bedtime every day since then and is now 3 months and doing great. They reccomend waiting until 6 weeks to avoid nipple confusion, but if you use a good nipple like the most like mother platex nipples, you should be fine. At 2 months, your baby will not all of a sudden reject you from the occasional bottle.

Amy - posted on 08/10/2011

I would say as long as you aren't having a problem with her latch then you can try and introduce them. We used platex ventaire wide nipple bottles with my daughter, I work full time so she had to go back and forth between breast and bottle. A couple of things, we always used the slow flow nipple 0 to 6 months even past the 6 month mark, I never gave her a bottle she always got it from someone else! She is now 17 months old and still bf's two to three times a day/night. Good luck.