How long to establish?

[katieelisexo]

Hi ladies

I'm just curious, I plan to exclusively breastfeed and fx it will happen smoothly! I have a question though - how long before I can express into a bottle? I would really like my mum and dad to be involved with the feeding (I feel it's a good time to have a cuddle and bond). Unlike most I don't have an OH so their my closest thing and with living with them and baby being their first grandchild I'd really like them to be able to feed him too!

Thanks in advance for your help

Katie. Xx

 

[Vickyxx]

Ideally they say to wait 6 weeks before introducing a bottle to make sure your supply is in and baby doesn't get confused by breast and bottle. My little one was 7 weeks and I had no problems introducing an expressed bottle at night.

I know some people do it sooner but you will need to get your supply up first which means baby non stop feeding for a few days which is difficult but well worth it if you can stick it out.

Expressing isn't easy i would definitely recommend investing in a good electric pump xx

 

[katieelisexo]

Thank you I have read that you need to do just breast and establish a flow, but how do you know when you're ready??

I'm so confused by all this haha! And they don't have any BF classes where I am xx

 

[Vickyxx]

I was a total novice to hun being my first baby its normal not to have a clue lol

Ok so some advice i wish i had known before, breastfeeding is bloody hard work, you will have days where baby is literally on you all day and night this will happen alot in the early weeks but it does ease off i promise lol

growth spurts ... OMG i had no idea about these, they typically happen around 10days, 3 weeks, 6 weeks and i think 12 weeks (haven't got that far yet lol). Just when you think you have things figured out they will get one and boy do you know it, the 10 day one i literally thought i had broken my baby he ate non stop day and night for 2 days and then just like that it stopped.

Sore nips, get yourself some lansinoh it is a life safer ... And plenty of breast pads, comfy bras and tops.

The 10 day growth spurt coincides with the dreaded baby blues so don't feel bad if you feel very run down and negative its natural and it does pass.

Expressing is best done in the mornings as that's when your supply is greatest. Depending on how often you intend to give him a bottle you will have to do it a few times in the day but i believe you should avoid expressing in the afternoon/ evening as that's when your supply is lowest (however this can depend on your supply) I only give mine one bottle at night so only express once in the morning.

I would say wait until at least 3 weeks before expressing so you know that your supply has been established xx

 

[l_maclean]

6 weeks is the recommended. Personally I wouldn't leave it any later than this, as LOs can refuse bottles.

You'll prob notice things shift from absolutely constant to being a bit more settled, mine settled fairly quick as I had an over supply.

But remember there are sooooo many other things that others can do for bonding. My OH had sole responsibility for baths to begin with, which is definitely a great bonding time.


On my iPhone - so cant see tickers

 

[katieelisexo]

Thanks ladies, the advice really is priceless!

I sound so obsessed already but I'm not sure i could give up baths so my mum and dad could soley do it with him but I guess that's something I'd have to consider xx

 

[l_maclean]

Not necessarily solely, I just wanted to point out that feeding isn't the only thing they can do. These LOs need a LOT, so there's plenty of work for everyone. Lol


On my iPhone - so cant see tickers

 

[Claire123]

My LO didn't latch on until she was 10 days old so up until that point was getting expressed milk in a bottle as well as topped up with formula (due to losing a fair bit of weight as was jaundiced) she has never haf anu bother switching between breast and bottle xx