feeding expressed milk - too early?

[n00p]

I had a baby 5 days ago.

He is breast feeding really well, no trouble at all.

I have been expressing (and just throwing away) some milk to ease the pressure, my boobs are so full and sore at the moment.

My partner really wants to feed the baby, I think he feels a bit "left out". Plus he wants to help with feeds in the middle of the night, etc.

I'm a bit worried about giving the baby a bottle - with my last baby, we bought some formula to give to her occasionally but after having a bottle a couple of times she wouldn't take the breast anymore. Not sure if this was because it was less work for her to get the milk or if the formula tasted better or what... but I don't want this to happen with my new baby, I want to breastfeed for at least 6 months.

Is it too early to give him a bottle occasionally? What do you think, any advice?

Thank you =)

[CatNoonan]

You could only try and see. Every baby is different, your new baby might not even take a bottle.

You can freeze breast milk for upto 3 months BTW, instead of throwing it?!

[lucysummers]

Firstly...DON'T THROW IT AWAY!!!!!! It's liquid gold!!!! If you need to express to ease the pressure a bit then freeze it for later use......plus don;t forget by expressing you're still making your boobs think the milk is demanded so it will keep producing it.

Secondly...we gave our DD a bottle from within the first week of EBM. We have never experienced nipple confusion / laziness although I do think sometimes it's a reality and can happen. DD has a bottle of EBM as a dreamfeed every night...doesn't have the bottle any other time apart from a couple of times when I've had a drink. Give it an occasional try and if she goes back to the breast well after then you probably can increase the frequency if you wanted to.

HTH

[lozie2]

OMG thats liquid gold your throwing away!! freeze it 12 months in a deep freeze!

I don think its too early, but i think for your comfort it may not be a great idea!

[FullMoon]

I dont think its to early...

Dobnt throw your milk away though its gold!!

It stores for 3 months iv heard!

my bu has been taking EBM since 5 weeks now... To avoid nipple confusion or whatever i made sure the bottles have number 1 teats... You know the slowest flowing ones so he still has to work for the food...

[n00p]

alrighty thanks... yeah it did seem like a huge waste throwing it away... I bought some storage container thingos today, that screw onto the breast pump, so I will start freezing it.

Thanks for the advice, have a bottle sitting in the fridge now ready to go when bubs wakes up for his next feed, will see how he goes

thank you:flowerz:

[FullMoon]

Also you dont need to spend heaps of money on storage containers..

You can ut it in those zip lock freezer bags if you like..

Works a treat and is safe to use and super cheap!

[Opinionated]

Freeze it.

My baby did suffer adversely from having ebm from a bottle too early. Our breastfeeding ended up failing. My second child was never given a bottle for this reason. If feeding is going fine, I wouldn't risk it. Only a few have adverse feeding issues from doing it, but you don't want to be one of those few believe me.

[Oya]

Yes it is too early and could affect your supply to be feeding your bub with EBM instead of straight from the breast. Your partner can bond with your baby in many ways, feeding isn't the only way. Tell him to have a bath with bub and have lots of skin on skin time chest to chest... Freeze whatever you express as it might come in handy at a later date. Put it in a deep freezer if you have one.. it last longer.:)

[onedayatatime]

I would strongly advise against giving your baby a bottle especially so early on.

Milk flows easier from a bottle and babies can get a bit 'lazy' and stop wanting to take it from the breast.

I truly truly would not give the bottle.

Freeze that lovely stuff. In a freezer that has a separate door to the fridge it will keep for 3 months.

At least wait until bub is very established on the breast and I'd only use a bottle occasionally if it were me.

Hey. It is me. I breastfeed and it's 6 months on and I could count on one hand how many times my bub has had a bottle.

For me I just wouldn't want to risk bubby weaning before 12 months.

[sunnymummy]

At least wait until bub is very established on the breast and I'd only use a bottle occasionally if it were me.

Hey. It is me. I breastfeed and it's 6 months on and I could count on one hand how many times my bub has had a bottle.



I did this but have found now that I am going back to work DS won't take the bottle and I need to mess about with sippy cups, straws and cups.

Just somthing to think about.

[UmmInayah]

I agree with the others saying it is too early. Wait until your supply regulates and your baby is used to your boob. You do not want to upset this delicate balance so early.

Let DH feel left out for a little while when you're feeding. There are plenty of other things he can do to help out. Like bathing, changing nappies, cuddles etc.

Feeding isn't the only thing babies need.

I also agree about freezing. It's great to have a stock pile while you're still producing tonnes of milk.