Stopping bf-ing & introducing combi ?

[Melanie3103]

Whenever u decide to give up... How does it work?

I am exclusively breastfeeding currently (lo is 11 days old), thinking at this point i might continue with breast for now, but introduce 1 bottle per day - so can share with my hubby (not sure yet if i'll express or formula)... Also this will help when out n about (as id rather not breastfeed in public)...

Has anyone else done this ?

Also as i planned to drop breastfeeding completely at 4-6 months - when teeth arrive (!)... What happens to the milk? How do u stop? What is the process? A friend of mine mentioned it hurts and theres not a lot u can do about it - is that true?

Any experiences ??
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[Potternutter]

I expressed at 2 weeks and gave her a bottle every 3 days (to get her used to it but not reliant). She was a very good feeder though so I knew she would take to it well- make sure feeding is well established and going smoothly before trying. I use size 2 teats as recommended by midwife so flow is quicker for her and easier. Now (she is 8 weeks) I can leave her with OH for a few hours to nip out and she will happily take a bottle.

 

[Melanie3103]

This sounds perfect solution to me. 1 bottle "on hand" just in case (im unwell or tired or want to leave with sitter).

Prob wouldnt introduce bottle for a week or so (its being going well so far). MW mentioned trying to express after 1st feed of day (5mins each side, then alternate a couple times. Then leave in fridge, then after 3rd feed of day do the same add to original amount stored in fridge - to make enough bottle for 1 feed). Apparently that will last im fridge for a few days, right

Nervous to try but also keen to share with hubby - so he can do a bottle every couple days.
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[Potternutter]

Yes I'm so glad we did- gives you so much more freedom and lovely for hubby! Went and had a cut and blow last weekend- it was bliss! And hubby was happy to be left alone with baby! If you think about we do it everyday but that was the first time they had spent together just the two of them.

 

[T84]

I agree with pottenutter hon, it made such a difference when I was bfing (now solely express) we used the tomee tippee closer to nature bottles when we were doing both and she didn't seem to get nipple confusion and took to bottle straight away x x

 

[Mummybexee]

Also using TT closer to nature and LO had no nipple confusion at 4 weeks - he still switches expressed bottle to boob easily

 

[Potternutter]

I use tommee tippee too! No problems with nipple confusion! X

 

[Melanie3103]

Fantastic - thanks all.

So once i have a small amount expressed in a bottle in the fridge - i can add to that over the next few feeds, right? How long will it keep in fridge? The MW seemed to think 'syphoning' lol for want of a better word a little after feeds wouldnt be too taxing/time consuming and shouldnt affect my milk supply too much. I didnt want to spend hours feeding LO on the breast and then spend downtime between feeds expressing so she said bit at a time rather than try get a bottle asap). This should work well for a bottle every couple days.

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[Potternutter]

Yes that could work or if LO has a feed from one breast sometimes I express the other. The HV told me the rule of 6- 6 days in the fridge, 6 months in the freezer, 6 hours at room temp x

 

[Dotty_woman]

I'd avoid adding to a bottle that's been sat in the fridge for a few days as you'll soon lose track of how long the oldest milk has been in that bottle. Perhaps get a few cheap bottles that you can label up with the date they went in the fridge so you don't have old and new milk in the sane bottles for long. I tended to freeze my milk as soon as I'd expressed it so I didn't have to worry about how long it had been sat around for. Then I could defrost as much as I needed for a feed as required. xxx