Bottle Feed with Breast Milk

Hi A.! I had to write to you because I had the SAME situation. My first son was born 3 weeks early and then was in the hospital for jaundice for a week and they wouldn't let me nurse him during that time (he was on formula). I was determined to nurse him tho. I pumped at the hospital as much as I could and then at home and when then when they allowed me to I started giving him my expressed milk in a bottle. Once we got home tho I really wanted to nurse him myself. It was very hard in the beginning, but IT IS POSSIBLE!!! You definitely should get someone to help you with the latch. I am SO GLAD that I stuck it out. I wound up nursing him for 14 months. I just want to encourage you. Try to stay calm about it. Don't get frustrated and don't worry. I think a lactation consultant would be a great thing at this point for you. It will save you a lot of work...but if you do wind up pumping, that is GREAT as well!!!

All the best to you!

1 mom found this helpful

Absolutey continue what you are doing. It is so much better for your baby than formula and will help her so much. I had my son 12 weeks early and pumped and bottle fed for 5 1/2 months - I wish I could have gone longer but my milk was drying up. It is even more important for a baby born early because their intestines are immature and handle mother's milk so much better than formula. You are definitely doing the right thing. You can still try to breastfeed though - see if your insurance will cover a lactation consultant because your child was premature and needs help learning to latch on they should - mine did. With some help your child might learn to latch. My son learned to latch on and was able to get milk but was not strong enough to get enough milk so I breastfed and supplemented with pumped milk in bottles. Good luck and don't give up!

Dear A.,

None of the nutrients are lost if you pump your Breast milk and then bottle feed it to her.

Just make sure you are timely in feeding it to her, whether it be refridgeration or freezing.

So keep eating healthy. And Good luck and Congrats!!!

M

http://www.babycenter.com/pumping-bottle-feeding

Pump away! I don't think that nutrients are lost in the process and your daughter will get all of the wonderful immunity and benefits of breast milk. You may want to contact your insurance company. Many provide coverage for a lactation consultant, I know that mine did. I experienced mastitis about 3 months into nursing and the consultant came to our home and helped remediate the block and it was wonderful!

My first question to you is why would you think of any of the nutrients being lost? None of your nutrients are being lost unless your leaving your milk out. Breast feeding is ALWAYS the best way to go because your giving your baby vital nutrients for life. I have breast fead both of my girls up until they were two years old. Formula is a feat tactic that Doctors and Nestle like you to believe that breast milk is not as good as science. You should never allow anyone to make you feel gulity or that your not a good enough mother.

Dr. V. LaRocco

Congratulations on the baby and the breast milk feeding.

Breast milk is the best milk for your baby. It doesn't matter if it comes directly from the breast or if it is packaged in a bottle.

My issue with the bottle is she can end up a little more gassy than on the breast so be certain to burp her well.

Check with your local hospital to see if they can recommend anyone to help you get your little one on the breast if that is what you desire.

Once my son got on the bottle by three months he didn't want my breast any more. ;-( But I managed to get past that and enjoy being him mom and his milestones.

Hi A.,
My son is 7.5 months now but I had a similar problem when he was born... Similar, because of the jaundice. He was also big when he was born (10lb 4oz) so I was told I needed to give him formula due to his faster than average metabolizm (he needed more glucoze). When we got home, he didn't want to latch on either (although I was trying in the hospital), it is so much easier for babies to drink from a bottle. I was reading a lot and found a good (for us) solution: my husband was holding a bottle right over my nipples and letting it drip. After a couple of days of trying that (it wasn't easy) my baby started to latch on :)) I was extremaly happy because I do know that there is nothing better that Mother's milk for a newborn. I do not think that you should feel like your baby is being cheated, especially if you are giving her the bottle the same day that you are pumping. I still breastfeed my boy and sometimes give him my milk that I froze (no more than 3 months old). I am a FT Mom so I have to pump at work. I think that what you are doing IS better that giving formula (although there is nothing wrong with supplementing every now and than). Did your pediatrician prescribe any vitamins? e.g. D since your baby girl had jaundice? Everything else she'll need is in your breastmilk. Later on (at 6 months or so) she should be getting different vitamins appropriaet for babies that are teething.
If I were you, I would try to get her to latch on, I know it is not easy... In addition to my baby not latching on, I also had problems due to a very low milk supply (had to get up few times a night to pump and was getting <0.5 oz at first, it was very depressing...). I'm glad that yu are pumping - you shouldn't have that problem :))
Good luck to you!!!
Mama Magda

Dear A.,
You do not lose any nutrients but by pumping you do not stimulate the breast enough to produce more milk. I would contact a lactation consultant asap. Laleche League can help you.

Hang in there!
Talk with the lactaction consultant.
My first never latched on either - I had pumped exclusively and put the milk in the bottles for her that way for 6 months! I had pumped enough milk to last her for 9 months.
Now, this WAS a lot of work! Baby #2 nursed fine and it was quite a difference...
I DO recommend the lactation consultant - the baby CAN latch on - don't get frustrated and breathe! But know that you CAN pump milk if all else fails...I'm really glad I did because it was rewarding for me and plus it's free! (not spending money on formula!).
I recommend going to kellymom.com for more information about nursing and pumping exclusively.
Best wishes!!

A.,

Hi, my name is A., mom of 2 boys, 4 and 10 months. I had the same thing happen to me with my oldest: the exact same thing. He was jaundiced and in the NICU and they gave him bottles and he wouldn't latch and I was terribly heartbroken. By pumping your daughter is not loosing anything: keep going! Also, your pediatrician should have a lactation nurse and/ or your ob/gyn should recommend someone to you. My midwife told me to stop the bottles (yes, it's heartwrenching to hear them scream) until he latched and it worked. BUT: NO MORE THAN 3 to 4 HOURS. My son got the message and finally latched to me and I breast fed him for 23 months. The bottles are easy for them, but with nursing they have to work. Good luck!

Hi there! First of all congratulations and welcome to momhood! The early weeks are super overwhelming and surreal, so try to rest as much as you can and enjoy your baby girl. Now, as far as giving your baby breastmilk or formula, it is totally your decision, but breastmilk is the baby's superfood. Mom's milk is specifically designed for our kids, and it changes as they grow. Since your baby was early, the milk you are supplying her is different than had she been full term - giving her exactly what she needs for the best growth.
Being as you are going to the trouble of pumping to give her milk, I see that as a good sign that you are dedicated to breastfeeding, and my big suggestion is to find a lactation consultant to help you and your daughter with her latch. Although she is having trouble latching on now, that doesn't mean she can't do it. No matter when a baby is born, learning how to breastfeed can be difficult. My son and I had trouble with it, too! It was my dedication and the help of some wonderful people that got us to the point where it was easy. You may also be able to find some lactation support groups in the area and go talk with other moms who are also having difficulty or have already been through it. It is fantastic that you can pump, and that will come in handy again later, but breastfeeding is SO much more simple when you get the hang of it!
Best of luck to you!

Nutrients are not lost when you pump, so don't worry about that. If you breast feed directly, you feed about 8-12 times a day. In general, with bottles, b/c you determine how much formula is in the bottle, the feedings could be on the lesser side of amounts of time to feed. Regarding formula vs breast milk, formula is more filling I think than the breast milk so with breast milk you'd need to feed earlier than with formula. Breast milk is best!!!!! You pass over antibodies that help protect your baby.....speak with your doctor about trying to get your baby to nurse directly. There's a way to feed with a tube that goes around your neck, the baby is at your breast but drinks from the tube. Gradually the baby will take your breast instead of the tube.

Good luck!

nothing is lost as long as you keep it well.

I was an exclusive pumper for a year. Its tough but worth it. Formula is great for those that need it, but breastmilk is always superior. Don't beat yourself up though if you can't do it. A sane mother is more important than breastmilk.

I would also keep trying to breastfeed. I gave up to easily and regret it.

Also, join the pumping moms yahoo group. they are awesome and total lifesavers.

The best thing you can do is to give her your breast milk. You do not loose nutrients if she is getting it in a bottle as opposed to from your breast. They always say breast is best as long as it is working for you. It doesn't always work out for some women and they use formula. There is nothing wrong with that.
Pumping is hard, I've done it both ways, pumping exclusively and breastfeeding (and pumping while at work) and I have to say that feeding at the breast is soooo much easier. I hope you still try to have her at your breast. SShe may just need the time to learn to latch. You can always go see a lactation consultant to get help with the latching.
It's funny, for something so natural, sometimes it's not the easiest to get going.

good luck and don't worry, you are doing the best you can for her.

Hi A.,
I have 4 children and breastfed them all. My second child was also kept in the hospital for jaundice. I went to the hospital as much as twice a day to nurse her, but the nurses had already fed her by then, so I took in my expressed milk for them to feed her. Unfortunately, they didnt use a NUK nipple and when I got her home, she didn't latch onto me well at all. It took some time, and if I had to feed her with a bottle, I made sure I had the NUK nipple.
It is shaped most like the real thing. You should get some if you are going to bottlefeed at all. The straight nipple that comes with every bottle you buy is not like the real thing and will confuse any baby when they are breastfed also.
Breast milk is always best, just be careful what you eat. Certain veggies may cause gas with your little one, and chocolate is bad. I ate most anything and didn't have much problems.
If your baby takes a pacifier, do not give the straight nippled one that they give in the hospital. Buy a NUK pacifier, this will help with latching problems also.
Do not be discouraged, your baby is just confused on how to use your own nipple after using the wrong one in the hospital.
My oldest is 18, and when she was born, they asked if I was nursing, and which nipple should they use for her if she gets hungry, they used to carry 2 different nipples: one for formula fed babies, and the NUK for breastfed babies. With my last 2 kids, now 8 and 2 1/2, the nurses didnt know what I was talking about when I asked for the nuk nipple. I must have had a good lactation nurse because I got alot of help and understanding with my fistborn.

Here are a couple links so you can see what I'm talking about with the NUK nipples and pacifiers. Try them, they should end your baby's confusion faster than anything else you try.

http://www.toysrus.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&amp;kw=n...

http://www.gerber.com/Products/NUK_Wide_Neck_Bottles_Nipp...

http://www.nuk.de/produkte/trinksauger/teats_and_bottles....

I hope this helps.

What you're doing is great, but it may become tiring for you. Continue to offer her your breast. As others have said, try to find a La Leche League group near you or schedule an appointment with a lactation consultant to help you.

Dear A.,

Breast milk is about a million times better than formula, so you're doing a wonderful thing. I'm not aware of any nutrients being lost at all.

Once your daughter reaches the developmental stage of a full-term newborn, though, I do recommend trying to get her to latch on to the breast. As I'm sure you've discovered, pumping is hard work. And if you're pumping enough to give her all her feedings, including middle-of-the-night feedings, and GIVING her the feedings via bottle -- Wow: that sounds like a recipe for no sleep for you at all! There might also be a slight risk of your daughter not getting the amount of milk she needs, since no pump is as efficient as a baby.

This does NOT mean that I recommend formula, which is an okay worst-case-scenario means of infant nutrition but is inferior to breast milk in every respect. Instead, when your daughter is developmentally ready to latch on, I really recommend contacting La Leche League and/or a lactation consultant; she'll probably need some help latching after she's gotten accustomed to a bottle.

This will cut your milk-expression/feeding time in half, since the processes will be combined. And you'll be left with more time to cuddle your baby, or sleep, or just ... you know ... function, live your life, etc.

Best of luck,

Mira

you can get help from La leche league with the latching, if it doesn't work, keep giving breastmilk in bottles, it's at least 100 times better than formula. a friend of mine had problems breastfeeding, but continued to give her baby expressed breastmilk in a bottle for 7-8 months. it's a lot more work for you, but it's still the best you can do for your baby, don't give it up!

Call a lactation consultant, La Lache Leader or other breastfeeding specilaist (I went to Dr. Gaby in Westchester conuty, NY. She has a web site thebreastfeedingdr.com I think it is). If she is still young (like under 8 weeks) don't give up right away. You could also try a supplementer which puts a straw next to the nipple so more milk or formula flows when she nurses.

I know it is hard and time consuming pumping and then bottle feeding since I have been doing it for the last 6 months. My daughter has narrow nasal passages and can't breathe well if she nurses but does fine on the bottle. I believe the breastmilk is far better, even in the small amounts I am getting, than just formula. You don't lose anything if you pump and feed right away or refrigerate for up to 24 hours. It keeps longer if you freeze it but I believe some immune cells may be killed. I would check the La Leche web site if you want the specifics.

I know what you mean about feeling cheated too. I really felt that wat too, especially when the Dr. said my daughter probably would never be a good nurser. I had tried so hard to make it work and she liked to nurse but could only do it 5 minutes at a time (not long enough to get a full feeding). I was really sad it didn't work for her to be exclusively breastfed. I would tell you to figure out how important breastfeeding is for you and how hard you want to work. If it is just too hard to manage then it is okay to let it go and not feel bad about it. But if you want to try, get as much as you can right away since it is a time sensative issue.

Your breast milk is 100% better then any fomula. I think you are doing fine. I did both. When I had days I did not have a lot of milk then I used fomula. Your milk even a little has the best nutrients. Keep up the good work :):):)

Bottling feeding breast milk is far better than formula-feeding, but your baby does miss out on some of the special skin-to-skin contact and the special psychological bonding experience that only comes with direct breastfeeding. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that my daughter receives a lot of comfort from direct breastfeeding. (Whenever she gets upset, the first thing she does is run over and asked to be nursed. If I let her nurse, she *instantly* feels better.) Also, my lactation consultant said that if/when your baby gets a cold or sick, your breasts can tailor-make the antibodies needed to fight the specific illness, but only if the breasts are exposed the the baby's saliva. I am now starting to wean my 20-month old, and I have observed that whenever she catches a cold (and she goes to daycare, so she is exposed to lots of germs!), it only lasts a day or two before she is much better, which is a lot faster than a lot of her little friends at daycare. I would recommend contacting a lactation consultant immediately. I don't think it's too late to get your baby to latch. My daughter was hospitalized with jaundice before I could figure out direct breastfeeding too, and after a lot of hard work with the help of a lactation consultant, we worked it out. And, you'll have a LOT less bottle and pump washing to do in the future!!

pumped breastmilk is exactly the same as if she were nursing. Just be sure that if you are pumping and storing in the refrigerator, when you go to reheat the milk, simply warm the bottle by placing it in a coffee cup and run warm water over the bottle. DO NOT EVER put breastmilk in the microwave, the microwaves kills the live stuff. I never had a bottle warmer, so I do not know how hot they get bottles.
I pumped for my son for 3-4 months after he stopped nursing when I went back to work full time. After I wasn't there to nurse he just wasn't interested in moving between the bottle and me.

hi A., and congrats! what you are doing is great,, good job, mama!! i may have read that it loses a bit of nutrients during fridge or freezing, im not sure, but in any case is so much better than formula, keep it up! the only problem is that it may become hard for you to keep up with the baby because the pump doesnt stimulate your breasts to produce more milk as well as the baby does. this is not a certainty, i was always great at pumping and had no supply problems, but lots of people do and it eventually dwindles. i strongly recommend you get her on the breast as soon as possible. keep offering, offer her the breast before you start to pump, express a little milk and touch it to her lips first. and definitely offer first thing in the morning when you are very full. keep trying. my daughter was in the nicu for a week as well, they wouldnt let me nurse her, i pumped every 3 hours around the clock and after the week she latched right on. i couldnt believe it. she was actually the only one out of my 3 who gave me no problems in the beginning, go figure. just keep offering, and try different positions, lots of little ones prefer the football hold in the beginning for some reason. offer when she is hungry but not frantic. and be sure you are both relaxed and comfortable. also, you can always get hands on help from a lactation consultant, they can help with latching or might use a hmmmm... i forget what its called, a thin tube that you put in there along with your breast to get her used to it, sns i think its called..... i am attaching a website that saved me with my 3rd baby, we had so much trouble latching on (he didnt get the memo that i was an old pro at it), and we just slightly tweaked the position, used the assymetric hold, and it was like magic... scroll down the page to where it says latching on, there are little video clips, it is so helpful to be able to see video. lots of other great info here too. keep it up, you can do it!! once she latches on and you both get in the groove of it, you will be so happy, its a wonderful thing.
http://breastfeedingonline.com/newman.shtml

Congratulations on your new baby girl! Your method is so much better than formula. She is getting all of the nutrients from your milk as well as the immune protection and antibodies that will stay with her for a lifetime.

You could probably re-establish a direct nursing relationship. A good lactation consultant or your local la leche league leader can probably help. It can be tough, but even adopted babies and adoptive mothers are sometimes able to establish a nursing relationship.

I wish you all the best!
C.

Hi A.,
Congratulations on your new baby!
I exclusively pumped for nine weeks with my last baby til he finally was able to nurse at the breast successfully. It was hard work but very much worth it and I went on to breastfeed for 13 months.
Your baby is not losing nutrients by being fed your pumped milk. Formula is not a benefit over breastmilk. Your baby is getting the same milk as she would if she nursed directly at the breast, a pump does not filter out nutrients, so as long as you pare pumping enough for her to eat, formula is not better for her.
I would suggest contacting a La Leche League leader and/or a lactation consultant to help you with tips on exclusively pumping and also with ideas and techniques to help you get your baby to the breast which will be so much easier.
Good luck!

Congratulations on your daughter's birth. Try the Avent bottle, I used that and their breast pump and found both to be superb. My son was also early due to health issues at my end. The breast pump is so easy to use and did not feel uncomfortable like the other pumps I tried both in the hospital and afterward, plus it is small enough to take with you and pump without being so obvious, not that that matters. I went between their disposable and regular bottles as I would pump and put the milk in bags for later.
Hugs,
T.

Pumping is the way to go, if your little one cannot seem to latch on. She's still getting all the nutrients she needs. However, be warned that it is a LOT of work and it will take much dedication to it. Try to do it as long as you are able to; every day that she receives breastmilk aids her immunity significantly. Don't feel guilty if you can no longer pump and need to go to formula. Just your efforts are to be applauded!

Breast Milk is ALWAYS better...but Mom has to eat healthy and continue to take her vitamins. Try going to www.breastfeeding.com for more information.

<a href="http://www.breastfeeding.com&quot;&gt;click here</a

Good for you pumping your milk! Your beautiful baby is getting way way more nutrients by having your milk than anything she could ever get from formula. There is basically nothing lost only gained AND she's getting all the immune boosting nutrients from you that she could never get from formula...ever!
Get a lactation specialist and try again if you can. It's an amazing journey/feeling to be able to nurse. Like everything we try, no matter how young or old we are, it takes practice.
Go for it and good luck!!