Anyone successfully combine fed?

Sparkleyone · May 16th, 2009, 14:54 PM

Has anyone successfully combine fed their baby, either with expressed breast milk or formula?

I am very very keen to breast feed the new baby we're expecting, however I know that due to commitments with my other child who is special needs, I wont be able to be there all of the time to feed my baby. Also, at times when I am around, it maybe that my husband has to feed the baby!

I know that formula etc can hinder breast milk supply, which is a great concern of mine. However I am keen to do what I can so that my baby at least gets some of my milk.

Can I introduce a bottle straight away? I have heard about nipple confusion, but from my experience it tends to be the mums who wait 6 weeks or so who have the problems taking to a bottle.

Any advice would be warmly appreciated.

TY, x

Mervs Mum · May 16th, 2009, 14:59 PM

In my experience it has nothing to do with how long you wait to introduce it - some babies just dont like bottles. If you do it before BFing is well established you run the risk of supply issues and nipple confusion.

Sparkleyone · May 16th, 2009, 15:12 PM

Ah, I see what you mean. How long does it usually take for BF to become established then?

**Arcanegirl** · May 16th, 2009, 15:14 PM

It varies for each woman, the reccomended is 6 weeks but it happened within a couple of weeks for me.

We succesfully combine feed, Alex has a bottle of formula everyday around 11am which Oh gives. The time is the key thing that keeps the bottle from messing with my supply as its the same time every day.

Mervs Mum · May 16th, 2009, 15:20 PM

Like AG says they do say 6 wks to be safe but we were fine about 4 weeks in.

Play it by ear hun.

babymama · May 16th, 2009, 18:31 PM

I BF'ed from the beginning, then by week 3 I introduced 1 bottle of formula (11am) then added another (11pm) My milk supply was well in by week 4 and I began to exclusively pump. However, I still offer formula, at least 1 bottle a day. Every now and again I put LO on the boob and he has no trouble, no nipple confusion. But I did read to offer a bottle when BF is well established, anywhere between week 4-6 and no later than week 7 cause then LO might totally refuse it. But I think every baby is different so feel it out, see how it goes.

Foogirl · May 16th, 2009, 19:59 PM

Why not consider expressing milk for the bottle feeds? This will allow bottle feeding but using your own milk and might reduce any confusion. I also understand you can buy a certain type of teat which is very similar to the nipple.

That's our plan for when Abby gets home from NNICU. I'd like my husband to be able to do some feeds from time to time so A) I can take myself off for half a day if I need a break and B) he gets the experience of feeding.

mommyof3co · May 16th, 2009, 20:00 PM

I introduced a bottle to Casen at 2wks..of breastmilk. He did ok with it but I made sure it was slow flow and shaped like the breast as much as possible. Some babies if you give them a bottle too early will only want that, Id on't think it's confusion really, just that it's much easier for them to drink from a bottle than a breast, it's more work at the breast. Casen did ok but we only did like 1 bottle then and maybe a couple a month max so not an all the time thing. My friends baby completely refused the breast because she preferred bottles, but every baby is diff, yours could easily go back and forth and it not matter either way

Good luck

Sparkleyone · May 17th, 2009, 10:47 AM

Thank you ladies.

Thats all very useful. I will try to exclusively BF for as long as possible before introducing a bottle, and take your comments on board. X

Pyrrhic · May 17th, 2009, 11:29 AM

I would really wait 4-6 weeks to introduce a bottle, but then I went through the whole nipple confusion thing which took a long time to overcome and was in no way worth it!

After 4 weeks you should be fine

May 16th, 2009, 14:54 PM	#1
Sparkleyone Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 206	Anyone successfully combine fed? Has anyone successfully combine fed their baby, either with expressed breast milk or formula? I am very very keen to breast feed the new baby we're expecting, however I know that due to commitments with my other child who is special needs, I wont be able to be there all of the time to feed my baby. Also, at times when I am around, it maybe that my husband has to feed the baby! I know that formula etc can hinder breast milk supply, which is a great concern of mine. However I am keen to do what I can so that my baby at least gets some of my milk. Can I introduce a bottle straight away? I have heard about nipple confusion, but from my experience it tends to be the mums who wait 6 weeks or so who have the problems taking to a bottle. Any advice would be warmly appreciated. TY, x

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May 16th, 2009, 14:59 PM	#2
Mervs Mum Pregnant (Expecting) BnB Spammer Elite Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: somewhere over the rainbow..... Posts: 21,347	In my experience it has nothing to do with how long you wait to introduce it - some babies just dont like bottles. If you do it before BFing is well established you run the risk of supply issues and nipple confusion.
	Supporting birthing women in Yorkshire, Humberside, Manchester, Merseyside & the surrounding areas.
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May 16th, 2009, 15:12 PM	#3
Sparkleyone Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 206	Ah, I see what you mean. How long does it usually take for BF to become established then?

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May 16th, 2009, 15:14 PM	#4
Arcanegirl Pregnant (Expecting) BabyandBump Team Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Glasgow Posts: 25,663	It varies for each woman, the reccomended is 6 weeks but it happened within a couple of weeks for me. We succesfully combine feed, Alex has a bottle of formula everyday around 11am which Oh gives. The time is the key thing that keeps the bottle from messing with my supply as its the same time every day.

Status: Online

May 16th, 2009, 15:20 PM	#5
Mervs Mum Pregnant (Expecting) BnB Spammer Elite Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: somewhere over the rainbow..... Posts: 21,347	Like AG says they do say 6 wks to be safe but we were fine about 4 weeks in. Play it by ear hun.
	Supporting birthing women in Yorkshire, Humberside, Manchester, Merseyside & the surrounding areas.
Status: Offline

May 16th, 2009, 18:31 PM	#6
babymama Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 855	I BF'ed from the beginning, then by week 3 I introduced 1 bottle of formula (11am) then added another (11pm) My milk supply was well in by week 4 and I began to exclusively pump. However, I still offer formula, at least 1 bottle a day. Every now and again I put LO on the boob and he has no trouble, no nipple confusion. But I did read to offer a bottle when BF is well established, anywhere between week 4-6 and no later than week 7 cause then LO might totally refuse it. But I think every baby is different so feel it out, see how it goes.

Status: Offline

May 16th, 2009, 19:59 PM	#7
Foogirl Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Falkirk, Scotland Posts: 4,606	Why not consider expressing milk for the bottle feeds? This will allow bottle feeding but using your own milk and might reduce any confusion. I also understand you can buy a certain type of teat which is very similar to the nipple. That's our plan for when Abby gets home from NNICU. I'd like my husband to be able to do some feeds from time to time so A) I can take myself off for half a day if I need a break and B) he gets the experience of feeding.

Status: Offline

May 16th, 2009, 20:00 PM	#8
mommyof3co Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Waxahachie, TX Posts: 10,076	I introduced a bottle to Casen at 2wks..of breastmilk. He did ok with it but I made sure it was slow flow and shaped like the breast as much as possible. Some babies if you give them a bottle too early will only want that, Id on't think it's confusion really, just that it's much easier for them to drink from a bottle than a breast, it's more work at the breast. Casen did ok but we only did like 1 bottle then and maybe a couple a month max so not an all the time thing. My friends baby completely refused the breast because she preferred bottles, but every baby is diff, yours could easily go back and forth and it not matter either way Good luck

Status: Offline

May 17th, 2009, 10:47 AM	#9
Sparkleyone Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 206	Thank you ladies. Thats all very useful. I will try to exclusively BF for as long as possible before introducing a bottle, and take your comments on board. X

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May 17th, 2009, 11:29 AM	#10
Pyrrhic Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 14,567	I would really wait 4-6 weeks to introduce a bottle, but then I went through the whole nipple confusion thing which took a long time to overcome and was in no way worth it! After 4 weeks you should be fine

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