I’m breastfeeding my newborn but will return to work at 12 weeks. I’ve been pumping and storing milk for when I return to work. When should I introduce a bottle?
Returning to work after having a baby can be fraught with stress for a new mom. But knowing your baby will still be able to drink your milk while you’re away can bring peace of mind.
Timing is an important piece in this process.
I find there is a window of opportunity to introduce your baby to a bottle at around 4-5 weeks of age. By then, breastfeeding and milk supply are well established. But if you wait much longer, some babies form an opinion about how they like to eat, and usually, they choose mom over a bottle. Avoid the unnecessary stress of waiting too late and ending up with a baby who strongly refuses a bottle.
Once you do introduce a bottle, make it a daily event. Offering a bottle every few days makes it likely there will come the point when the baby decides she prefers mom over the bottle. You can usually avoid that by keeping a daily bottle in your routine.
Another important piece is the type of bottle and nipple.
Though there is a plethora of bottles on the market, I prefer those that use narrow-based nipples, like Dr. Brown’s or Evenflo Classic. I see better results from these types of artificial nipples than the wide-based ones that are designed to simulate feeding at the breast. The action of getting milk from a bottle is completely different than that used to feed at the breast, so it really comes down to what nipple the baby can master. Some can use a variety of nipples, while others will only use one specific shape. Whichever you choose, make sure to use a slow-flow nipple to keep the baby from getting too much milk too quickly.
Technique
I recommend a method of feeding called paced bottle feeding. This technique keeps the bottle level rather than vertical. It complements breastfeeding by allowing the baby to pace the feed and requires the baby to put more effort into getting the milk from the bottle. The goal is not for the baby to finish a bottle in 5 minutes flat. Babies have a sucking need and satisfying it with a slower feed allows babies to pause and take breaks instead of hastily sucking down a bottle. And like us, if we eat too quickly, our brain doesn’t register that we’re satiated. Slowing down pays off!
Finally, it might be best to let someone besides the mom feed the baby. Babies are smart. They know that Mom is where their milk comes from and having her offer it from a bottle instead can be confusing. Avoid that by letting Dad or someone else have the honors.
