When is a good time to start pumping and introducing bottles?

[Donna C]

My baby is 8 days old, and we've been having great success with the breast feeding. He already passed his birth weight at 4 days (partially due to my over supply of milk). I'd like for my husband to handle one of the night time feedings so that I can get some more rest and was wondering when a good time to introduce bottles would be? I don't want to cause any 'nipple confusion', and even bought those 'breast flow' bottles to minimize the chances...I'm willing to wait as long as I should, but I'm just now sure how long that is. Any advice?

Thanks!

 

[Pippin]

This is really NOT a good idea. If you are suddenly long stretches at night without nursing, your supply isn't going to stay good. And if you are getting up at midnight to pump just so daddy can give a bottle, you aren't gainig anything.

If you feel you MUST do this, wait until around 4-6 weeks. By that point baby will likely already be going a bit longer at night anyway (one 3-5 hour stretch) so you probably won't find it necessary anymore.

To allow yourself more sleep, try keeping baby close by your bed (or in it, if you're comfortable with that and can do is safely). If you don't have to get up, the night feeds will be much easier.

 

[Ysobella]

You may want to consider co-sleeping, that way you get rest and baby gets fed. Introducing a bottle can stop the baby from latching properly to the breast. http://www.cosleeping.org/