Just so you know, there is no more any need to pump and dump. The dietitian i spoke to recently informed me that it takes 1-2 hours for alcohol to metabolize and leave the blood stream, which makes it safe for you to breast feed after that time has passed.

Our LC and a few of the books I read said wait to bottle feed the baby until 3 weeks, which is what we did. After that, we had my husband feed the baby every other day until he started day care (I’ve never given him a bottle). We started using a pacifier at 3-4 days old, though, and didn’t have any nipple confusion from that.

Bailey:

Congrats!!

I hate to give ANY nursing advice because, damn, I’ve only been doing it for 10 days. LOL Also, everyone is so different and the thing that I’ve realized from talking to three lact consultants and reading all the comments is that there are SO many ways to skin this cat (gross expression, sorry). There are lots of theories on the ‘right’ way to do it, the right way to introduce the bottle, the right way to time feedings, whatever. But I think so much of it just depends on you and your baby. Bradley Method and La Leche League taught me to wait until 6 weeks to introduce a bottle; to be honest, if I could not skip one feeding and have the husband do it, I would go crazy at this rate. I’m feeding him every two hours! I need to sleep!

My biggest piece of advice is to read The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding AND schedule an appt with an in-house lactation consult while you are still in the hospital (schedule it for three to four days after birth so your milk will have come in).

Everyone has their theories on the right or wrong way to do it but really, there is no wrong way to feed your baby as long as your baby is eating and thriving. I think we (in general) put way too much pressure on mothers, especially nursing mothers. Is it the *best* idea that I have introduced a bottle once every two days or so when Henry is so young? Meh. Only time will tell, but I don’t think he’s having an issue with it. Is it the best idea that I have to use a nipple shield? Probably not. But it’s working for us and that’s really all I can ask.

I waited the recommended 6 weeks to introduce a bottle and only for the sole purpose of having a date night and for a bottle to soothe baby when she had her castings (my LO was born with club feet). My LO is 10 weeks old now and has maybe had a handful of bottles. If you are going to be a SAHM there is really no need to pump often. There are other ways for your hubby to bond with baby. I find pumping to be a PITA along with cleaning bottles. It’s so much easier just to feeid directly from the breastf. I you pump and give a bottle you still need to pump at that feeding to regulate your supply, vicious circle. And pumping a bunch can bring on more supply! But like Caitlin said I highly recommend the Womanky Art of breastfeeding and reading it before you deliver!