Bottle Feeding in Conjunction with Breastfeeding

My breastfed daughter always used Avent bottles. We used the level 1 nipple probably until she was about 6+ months old, then we switched to the level 2 nipple. She never had any issues with the Avent bottles. If she is not taking the bottle real well, have someone else besides you give it to her. My daughter didn't care and would take her bottle from anyone, but I know a lot of babies won't take a bottle from mom b/c they would rather have the "real" thing. Good luck going back to work- I also went back when my daughter was 6 weeks old.

I used First Years BreastFlow bottles. It has a double nipple (nipple inside a nipple) so baby has to suck harder as they would if they were nursing. I found mine at Target.

We had a similar problem and Dr Browns level 1 worked for us...I got them at walmart I think. also, are you the one who has been trying to give her the bottle? She might not like taking it from you since she knows that you have the breasts!! :-). Have someone else give it to her! And have the nanny come over a couple times for couple hours each on some days before you go back to work... This will introduce the nanny to your daughter and let them practice being together and practice with the bottle together and reassure you that it will work. Hope that helps!

We LOVED the Dr. Brown's Glass bottles. The nipples worked great (they have 4 different sizes-- and maybe even a preemie size that might work for you. They are expensive, so just buy 1 or 2 and see if it will work. Spoon and dropper feeding are also an option.

Also, try feeding her the bottle as soon as she gets done nursing. She won't be as hungry, and will be a little more patient and "slow sucking" 'till she gets the hang of it. And maybe try having someone else feed her- if she's with you, she's going to be trying to breastfeed, and you have to suck a lot harder on the breast than you do the bottle. Good luck-- this DOES get easier!

Hi H.,

Contact your local La Leche League consultant at:

www.llli.org.

Hope this helps. D.

the born-free level 0 is REALLY slow... much more so than the Dr. Brown's

Following is a link on how to bottle feed a breast-fed baby from kellymom.com I hope that helps.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/bottle-feeding.html

A.

Dr. Browns makes a nipple for premies. Maybe try those for a couple of weeks?

Good luck with your transition back to work. My son will be five months old when I go back to work this month. I'm already tearing up.

Hello! I breastfed all 3 of my kids and the only type of bottle they would ever take were the Avent brand. Keep trying and she'll get the hang of it eventually. Best of luck! It's hard going back with them so little, but you'll both figure it out in time.

The Adiri bottles are good & I've heard good things about the Breastflow bottles too (First Years?????).

You could get some great tips at a LLL meeting too! TONS of info about pumping & making nursing while working "work".

Good luck!

When my son was born we had to supplement feed while I was nursing. He had a difficult time going back and forth, until a doula told us about Avent bottles. The flow is not only slow, but the base is wide. Once we switched to Avent he transitioned great between bottles and breast.
We also used the number 1 nipples for a while b/c my son ended up having acid reflux, so it helped that he didn't get too much. Hope that helps. Good Luck.