First baby I started around 2.5, 3 months into my leave (I had 15 weeks off). This time I only get 6-8 weeks.. planning to start at weeks 3 or 4 ?

I exclusively pumped with my first and breastfed my second 2. Regular breastfeeding is so much easier. My second I waited until 6 weeks to start a bottle, and it took a little longer to get her to take it. I found warming it 2 times in my bottle warmer was the trick. She liked it hot. I did 3 weeks with baby 3 and she preferred the extra warm milk as well.

Zzzzs, what did you end up doing since your baby wouldn't take the bottle?? That's my biggest fear. I won't be able to leave work every two hours to feed him. I'm thinking I would prefer he reject breast than bottle because I could still pump. I want to do both though!

My sister is a breastfeeding coach and she strongly recommends waiting until a good latch is established. That can be anywhere between 3-6wks. Although all babies are different. If you introduce a bottle or paci too soon, they may not take to the boob. Some women have no issues though. I would just be prepared to go with the flow, and feel your baby out!

I've been worried about this! I want to exclusively breastfeed no formula ??but I also want to be able to have a life like go to my brother in laws wedding 6 weeks after her due date ? I've heard so many people say you should wait that long just to start pumping so it's nice to read all these success stories of pumping early on!!! Gives me hope...I'm so worried I'm just not going to be able to leave her because I won't have figured out how to pump lol

@cdquint- I realized rereading my reply that I should have added that lol! It's definitely not every 2 hours the entire time.

I think by maybe 8-10 weeks I was able to drop my night pump sessions, then able to just do every 4 hours during the day!

When I was doing the every 2 hours, my body got in that groove & my supply was perfect. Once I knew my body had the whole milk making thing down, I just gradually increased time between until I was able to drop my night sessions without being uncomfortable!

It's a do & learn kind of process, but totally worth it.

Waited too long last time and my baby refused a bottle. Trying at a week this time, I don't have much leave

I agree with pp, but the 2 hr rule only lasted until 2 months. By then you are supply and demand and I was back to 5am, 9 am, 2 pm, 6 pm pretty much. Sleeping through the night as soon as baby did.

I exclusively pumped for 8 months & had enough stored frozen to last well past a year.

I made the decision after latch issues due to a tongue tie. Pumping was incredibly easy for me, not a hassle at all. I found it easier, more convenient than breast feeding- and of course not having to buy formula.

We breast fed for maybe 3 days before my milk came in, I wanted him to have the colostrum & pumping didn't really get much of it.

To combat supply issues, it's important to pump faithfully every two hours.

Although, I can see how this would be a hassle doing it on your own... I had a wonderful husband willing to feed baby/wash things while I pumped.

I breast fed exclusively for about 2 months, but my daughter stayed asleep throughout the night and started pumping and used that the next day, but she started eating more than I was producing that I had to bottle formula feed too, I breastfed for a year though. All babies are different though, my sister in laws boy never liked the bottle, so it was strictly breastfeeding.

@Shania I knew i would have to eventually because I work but we had a tough time out of the gate, pumping came easy and the idea that other people could feed her and bond as well was a selling feature. I felt like a failure for not being able to bf and my husband leveled with me: the most important part is the breastmilk, regardless of how it gets to her. Sometimes they can be logical haha. But feel free to message me if you have questions, I've heard a lot of negative comments about the amount of time it takes but I didn't feel overwhelmed or anything. Long response but hope it answers your question.

Wait until you both have the hang of breastfeeding. Also look up paced feeding. Babies can prefer bottles over breast (mine did during a few different phases). I had to pump early on because I had so much milk but we introduced a bottle around 3 weeks only because I had To go back to work at 6 weeks.

4-6 weeks until we introduced bottle. I'd pump only for engorgement relief and started pumping every morning daily after 6 weeks for supply build up for when I returned to work. I have my son a paci day one. People will tell you, you're risking nipple confusion but honestly do what's best for you and your sweet boy!! It will all work out!!

I pumped exclusively from day 3 and lasted a year, I stopped and bought a pump on the way home from the hospital. Plan is to do it the same way this time. I absolutely hated breastfeeding but had quiet a lot of milk so I figured I'd try pumping and was able to stick with it for the year.

Cdquint02, what made you decide to pump exclusively? I've thought about it.

Well I exclusively pumped haha so baby girl was on a bottle from the start, I pumped enough to last her a year after 9 months, definitely the route I will go this time!

I would wait until you've established a good latch! My son wasn't latching right and I ended up pumping and giving him a bottle so he'd eat. I ended up losing my supply at 3 month from pumping.

For me I give my kids a bottle by their 4th day never had a problem doing both. I only let other ppl feed them with a bottle like hubby my sis etc.

With my first I waited 3-4 weeks and she never took the bottle. So that's y I do it by baby 4-5day so far so good 2kids later.

I just had a friend give birth- while in the hospital her little guy wasn't gaining enough weight from breast milk alone. They introduced bottle and formula at 2 days. He now transitions easily between breast and bottle

I'm the same with 12 weeks off. I haven't been to any classes yet, but I plan to. The whole process still seems like a hassle lol. I know it will be worth it in the end though. My first goal is to make it to 6 months and then see how I feel then. I might continue pumping then but stop giving the boob. We will see.

My breast feeding class said about 3-4 weeks too so that's what I plan on going off of especially since I get 12 weeks off I figure that will give me enough time to get used to it.

My daughter took the bottle about a week or 2 after she started breastfeeding but that was also about a month after she was born as she was fed through a tube for her first couple of weeks. It also depends on how well your baby nurses and some babies have bottle preference which plays a pretty big role in transition.