Bottles?

[NoelleChristine]

I was just wondering when you give a bottle, what bottle do you use.  I have the Avent with the newborn nipples but my lo hasn't had a bottle in quite some time (because I hate pumping) actually, he had one today but only took 2oz out of the 4oz offered, but before today it's been at least 3 months since he's last had a bottle.

I'm asking because my MIL is coming to stay with us for a few months and I'm sure there will be times when she'll need to give him a bottle if I'm not here for a feed.

I won't be having a bottle everyday so it may not be an issue but I'm very VERY worried about him not wanting the breast if I give him a bottle that's to easy to eat from.  I guess I always thought my flow from the breast was so much faster than the bottle anyway since he can finish a feed in 5 minutes but it takes him forever to eat from the Avent.  However, after reading some posts about it I'm not so confident and afraid that the more he eats from a bottle...the more he might come to like it better.

I'm probably being paranoid.   

[lisi's mum]

Use a bottle with a small teat opening - you're in Germany right? I always used the ones from DM's own brand (babylove??) and started with the ones for tea - Lisi had to work VERY hard with that and sooner or later got mad, so went on to the ones for milk which have a slightly larger opening, but not large by any means.

I think the secret is to choose one sort and then stick with it trusting that sooner or later your LO will get the knack, rather than changing all the time trying to find one that works perfectly straight away. With the occasional bottle it is extremely unlikely your ds is going to start to prefer it to you, particularly at his age, it's not that he's a newborn anymore.

[EllenS]

We use the Playtex Drop-ins.  Had to supplement early on and still use it for a top-up at bedtime or if I have to pump and be out.  The nipple is very long and quite soft, my lactation consultant recommended it to avoid nipple confusion (although I know Tracy did not believe in such)

[Samuel's mum]

I used nuk last time due to nipple shape (although Sam had very few bottles). This time - I've read so much about flow confusion and counselled mothers who've REALLY struggled with it - I've got my haberman feeder bought in advance.

[NoelleChristine]

Thanks everyone.  I'm really worried about flow confusion too so I think I'm going to get the haberman feeder.  We've been doing so well with breast feeding I don't want ANYTHING to mess it up!

Stacy, my mil coming is actually an amazing blessing.  She's dropping everything to come help me with the kids while my DH is away.  As mil go...she's a great one.