Silly question re: expressed milk

[Lipsmacker01]

DD1 who is nearly 5 months old is breast fed and I am considering going back to work part time next Feb. My problem is I want her to feed on breast milk for as long as possible, however am worried that if she drinks via a bottle that she will refuse to be fed from breast. I currently have an avent isis manual breast pump (which I bought second hand am not happy with!) and am looking at buying an avent isis duo electric pump to replace it.

Im prepared to move onto formula eventually but am not too sure about how to go about it as I havent really looked into weaning her off breast milk yet.
My work shifts would be 5 hours long.

Any help would be appreciated.

[aardvark]

:thumbsup: to the Avent duo electric.

I bought mine new from the USA via ebay, cost only $360-ish AU incl. postage, and all I needed to do was buy one power cord from D!ck Smith's, so I saved heaps.

I'm expressing at work, I can get 5 let downs per session!

DS is 20 months, no sign of weaning yet, and I'm happy to let hom continue as long as he wants.

[Seekrit]

Hey :D

I went back to work, part time (4 days) when my son was 6 months. I too had the same fears but it was all good. He didn't have a bottle until he went to daycare and he adjusted quite well (as did my supply)

By that age they tend to be alright in regards to nipple confusion, I'd even recommend starting bub on a soft-spout cup (Pigeon MagMag!!!) rather than a bottle as it's easier to wean to a bottle and the MagMags are more boob like.

I found my bub drank less at daycare than he did from me (ratbag kid!!) and he also drank less frequently.. I think about 100mL every few hours - but every bub is different.

My boobs coped well, I started with pumping each 3 hours... (twice a day at work) but soon just pumped once in the afternoon and I was so full I'd get HEAPS of milk in a short while.

My son is 14 months and we still have a wonderful breastfeeding relationship - we breastfeed when I'm around and when he's at daycare he drinks Cows Milk.

Best of luck, I'll keep and eye on this thread.. feel free to ask any questions or PM me :)

[shelle65]

I think nipple confusion is a bigger problem in the early days, I'm pretty sure that by 5 months bub will be switched on to what is going in her mouth.

You may, however, find that you have the opposite problem and bub refuses the bottle after so long of happy exclusive bf. I suggest trying the bottle out as early as possible to make sure she will take it, otherwise you will need to think of a plan B!

[Sheer Bliss]

We have the newer tommee tippee bottles for DS's occasiona bottlefeed. It is shaped more like a nipple - and stretches quite well too. lol.

Considering how old bubs will be when you go back to work - the bottle will probably work without nipple confusion by then.