I'm scheduled to go back to work in April and I'm currently breastfeeding my 5mth old. When and how should I try giving her a bottle and how much solids should I incorporate into her daily feedings? I'm a flight attendant and will be gone 2 days a week so I'm a bit concerned for my husband and just want to make the transition smooth as possible.
The best book EVER is baby wise and then they have a sequel after that. The book explains everything and everyone that I know that has used their method, loves it. My son is 10 months old. He was sleeping through the night by 5 weeks and is doing great. We bottle fed from the beginning so my husband could help but the book has specific chapers on breastfeeding moms. Good luck
S.
I would start by having my husband give the baby one bottle a day of breast milk or half breast/formula. This will help the baby get used to your husband feeding. Gradually increase it to two bottles in maybe a weak or two. You probably want to start this at least one month before you go back to work. I had to do this for my son when I was starting to go back to work and it really made the transition smoother. I also started with cereal at night to help keep his tummy full before bedtime so he would wake up less. I did this at 3 months with cereal and by 5 months I was mixing cereal and veggies or fruits. I'm a working mom too and I know going back to work is always really really hard. Good luck!
My first child gave me such issues with going to bottle (from exclusively breast) that I ended up not going back to work - cuz she NEVER took a bottle. My son - I started him on bottle at about 6 wks, cuz I didn't want to go thru the same thing. Once I got him on a bottle (I still breast feed), it was much easier to give him a bottle whenever we needed to be gone. I would definitely try as soon as possible & if you have any issues - LEAVE & have your husband or MIL or someone else give the bottle. They can smell you (and of course, you don't want to listen to them cry for you). I would just start with 6-8 oz. & see how much your child will eat, and go from there. She will not over-eat. For solids, you can start any time now. Give every new food about 3-4 days before trying another new food (so you can make sure she's not allergic). You shouldn't feed solids by bottle. Check out "Super Baby Food". It gives you a timeline of when, how much, what foods, everything you need to know about feeding your child, including recipes for toddlers, and even how to make your own food (that is SUPER EASY!). At this age, follow your child! If you have any questions, you can definitely message me. Good Luck!
Hi S.,
When my son was 5mos, he was still just getting the formula. But, when he turned 6mos, we incorporated the babyfood (pureed), at lunch time and dinner time. In between times, I would give him his bottle. And a bottle at night before he went to bed. I hope this helps. :-) G.
It took my daughter about 5-10 times before she understood how to latch on to a bottle. She's been off the breast about two weeks now.
My daughter just turned 4 months old 2 weeks ago. This is my third child, and I started my older two on bottles and solids at six months. I started her early with bottles early because now that I'm running around doing activities with the other two its not always convienient to breastfeed where I go.
I give my daughter a 7 oz. bottle every 3 hours, cereal with her bttle (I use the 7 oz. bottle to make the cereal and give her the 4 oz. thats left). At dinner I give her a veggie with her bottle (we've only done this 3 x's). And if she seems fussy around 10 (3 hours after her first bottle) I'll give her a stage 1 fruit baby food with her bottle.
I don't think I'm feeding her too much (even though my aunt thinks so) because she stops when she's full and she only weighs 13 lbs. I hope this helps.
Feel free to contact me if I can help.
