Bottle feeding back to breast feeding

I’m trying this too! Currently I’m breast feeding during the day and bottles overnight so dad can help. Offer the breast whenever you can to get your baby comfortable around it. Also maybe get help for latch etc from the infant feeding team.

I’m going to be embarking on this journey as soon as I feel physically (and mentally 😅) healed from the nipple trauma! Saw a lactation consultant today and her advice was to start off by offering the breast when baby is either fed and happy, sleepy, or just showing hunger cues. At this stage it’s about the closeness of the two of you rather than getting them to feed from you as that adds in pressure. Once you get comfortable with having baby latched to you, slowly swap out one of your pumping sessions for breastfeeding instead. You may still find you have to pump at the end of feeding baby whilst you make the transition. Don’t pressure yourself, and take it as quick or as slow as what works for you and baby. Wishing you lots of luck!!

@Lauren why did she say you may need to pump at the end of breastfeeding session?

@Julianna bottle is easier for baby to get milk from, so it’s highly likely that they’ll fall asleep during a feed in the breast because it’s harder work which might not result in enough milk being removed

@Lauren that makes sense. Did she say how long that needs to be done for? Surely there’s no way to know if the baby is falling asleep because they’re full vs tired? Sorry for all the questions!

@Julianna she didn’t actually, I probably should have asked! I’ll be seeing her again next week for a check in so will ask and post the answer here! I imagine that it’ll be all to do with how empty the boob feels after they’ve fallen asleep. I remember when my little girl was latching before her tongue tie was snipped that I still felt quite ‘full’ when she fell asleep. My concern is what is going to happen to my supply as I think I’ve become a bit of an over-supplier 🫣

@Lauren this is sooo helpful! Thank you so so much xx