BF, pumping, and the bottle

I am BFing DD (almost 4 weeks old) and we have a wedding on Saturday so I need to leave her with my parents. I began pumping this past weekend. Tonight, DH attempted to give DD a bottle and she wants NOTHING to do with it.

I am trying not to freak out - but a) I know I need to try other bottles, but I can't even get out of the house these days, and b) Pumping isn't proving very fruitful and I don't think I'll have enough milk to provide for trials AND Saturday.

What do I do!? I am feeling really frantic right now.



ETA: Is the milk in the bottle DH tried to give useless now?

Message edited 7/24/2007 9:12:33 PM.

Re: BF, pumping, and the bottle

Unless she takes the bottle in the next hour or so you should dump it. I know how frustrating dumping BM can be. I suggest putting only a little milk in at a time and you can always add more once she takes to it. As far as increasing your supply, I would suggest pumping after each feeding. It will tell your body to produce more- as Bfing is supply and demand. Good luck, I know the early days can be trying.

Re: BF, pumping, and the bottle

Oh man, I can relate to your stress. I'm struggling with the EBF and pumping stresses right now too. I don't have any advice since I've literally pumped once so far and DD is almost 4 weeks, but wanted to send you and good luck wishes.

The one bottle we tried to give DD she wasn't happy with at all for several tries, then she kind of took it, but I ended up breastfeeding her right afterwards anyway.

Re: BF, pumping, and the bottle

Do you think we should try with the same bottle again??

Re: BF, pumping, and the bottle

My only suggestion is to keep trying. I have EBF my DD and she will be 12 weeks on Saturday. We introduced the bottle at 3 weeks and she still wants nothing to do with it. She takes the bottle from my DH now with a little resistance but definitely will not take one from me.

I have bought every bottle under the universe. Today I bought the gerber NUK nipple, its suppose to resember the breast. I plan to try that with my pumped BM tomm.

Good luck

Re: BF, pumping, and the bottle

Re: BF, pumping, and the bottle

Thanks everyone. We will keep trying with different nipples.

I'm still really concerned about having enough BM to give DD while I'm at the wedding. Is it really bad to give her some formula as a last resort (assuming we get the bottle thing down!)?

Re: BF, pumping, and the bottle

DD got a bottle of formula in the hospital and was fine. I would give her formula if you can't pump enough. You still have time tho. Good luck!

Re: BF, pumping, and the bottle

I'm happy to report that I just had a productive pumping session. I will try for another one later as well!

My mom is going to try to give her a bottle in a few min. Please keep your fingers crossed that DD at least sort of takes it!

However, if it doesn't take - I was wondering if anyone here has used alternative methods like a cup or syringe and what your experience was like??

Re: BF, pumping, and the bottle

My breastfed son likes Second Nature bottles and Playtex Drop-ins -- he wanted nothing to do with any of the other bottles I tried. You could try those. There's also one called Breast Flow, that's supposed to be good for breastfed babies.