[Submitted Question]

I am expecting a baby soon. I would dearly love to breastfeed but will have to pump/bottle feed breast milk during the day as I have a demanding job that I do not want to leave. What is the best way to teach a baby to drink both from bottle and breast?

[WombToBloom]

Depending on the length of your maternity leave, you may want to focus on the breastfeeding for a while. If it’s something that works for you and your baby, it’s really great. And less effort (no formula mixing and bottle washing). And cheaper. Get your baby really used to breastfeeding so that, when you do return to work, he still wants to nurse at night and you still have good milk supplies.

But you can introduce a bottle really at any point (lots of passionate breastfeeding moms will cringe at that statement). You may have to experiment with several different brands of nipples and different flows. Your spouse or partner may be the better person to try to introduce the bottle. Many babies refuse to take a bottle from mom. And it may take a while to transition to bottle. He may refuse. This may sound harsh – but if he is hungry enough, he’ll take the bottle. Just be consistent and persistent.

Some moms will start to pump and bottle feed during the day for the last few weeks of maternity leave, still nursing at night. This way the baby will get into the routine of bottle during the day, breast at night. Other moms will just alternate breast and bottle throughout the day for a while. Ultimately, it’s up to your baby. He won’t starve himself but he may be stubborn for a while!