Darmae, Hung, Pillow,
I actually didn't start with exclusive latch on. In the beginning, my nipples were so sore I had to cup feed my child. Then I gave in to the bottle like Hung. My son rejected my nipple after that (also probably cuz I had engorgement and milk wasn't flowing). I think some of you knew that I was very sad and stressed in the initial days with family pressure coming from both sides to bottle feed. Subsequently we tackled the engorgement problem with the help of my son's latching. It took a while for the LC to get (force should be the word) my son to acccept my nipple again. After that, I insisted (amidst strong objections) that he doesn't touch the bottle till he is 4 weeks old. Currently at 4+ weeks, my son takes the bottle once a day (3am feed) so that I can rest and so far there's no problem with him accepting bottle or breasts. But I noticed he'll get a little impatient if my milk flow is slow (happens when he demands a feed after a pump). I still feel a little sad giving him EBM via bottle once a day but like what angel say, just decide on what's best and be happy with it. Anyhow, after we settle into some routine without my mil, I might start ful latching again so that my hubby can sleep rather than wake up for feeds.
I encourage all mums to latch baby as often as possible and don't give up trying. I'm now enjoying the bonding of latching my son and also the convenience of steriliser free, bottle free, ice-pack free, formula free, pump free, etc free outing with baby. My diaper bag has only a few sets of change of clothes and some diapers and diaper cream. When he is hungry outside, just find a private place and nurse him. Very convenient. We also enjoy nursing in the comfort of the car. It's special time for us both. But that aside, for mums going back to work, EBM is the way to go. (Try not to introduce the bottle before 4 weeks or after 6 weeks, as baby might reject either breasts or bottle) So latching will probably be at nite, which will be even more special as you are away from baby for many hours. I read that some babies are so smart they will eat very little in the daytime and when mummy comes back at nite, they will start their feeding frenzy on "fresh milk". And mummies' body actually will change to cater to this need.
I actually didn't start with exclusive latch on. In the beginning, my nipples were so sore I had to cup feed my child. Then I gave in to the bottle like Hung. My son rejected my nipple after that (also probably cuz I had engorgement and milk wasn't flowing). I think some of you knew that I was very sad and stressed in the initial days with family pressure coming from both sides to bottle feed. Subsequently we tackled the engorgement problem with the help of my son's latching. It took a while for the LC to get (force should be the word) my son to acccept my nipple again. After that, I insisted (amidst strong objections) that he doesn't touch the bottle till he is 4 weeks old. Currently at 4+ weeks, my son takes the bottle once a day (3am feed) so that I can rest and so far there's no problem with him accepting bottle or breasts. But I noticed he'll get a little impatient if my milk flow is slow (happens when he demands a feed after a pump). I still feel a little sad giving him EBM via bottle once a day but like what angel say, just decide on what's best and be happy with it. Anyhow, after we settle into some routine without my mil, I might start ful latching again so that my hubby can sleep rather than wake up for feeds.
I encourage all mums to latch baby as often as possible and don't give up trying. I'm now enjoying the bonding of latching my son and also the convenience of steriliser free, bottle free, ice-pack free, formula free, pump free, etc free outing with baby. My diaper bag has only a few sets of change of clothes and some diapers and diaper cream. When he is hungry outside, just find a private place and nurse him. Very convenient. We also enjoy nursing in the comfort of the car. It's special time for us both. But that aside, for mums going back to work, EBM is the way to go. (Try not to introduce the bottle before 4 weeks or after 6 weeks, as baby might reject either breasts or bottle) So latching will probably be at nite, which will be even more special as you are away from baby for many hours. I read that some babies are so smart they will eat very little in the daytime and when mummy comes back at nite, they will start their feeding frenzy on "fresh milk". And mummies' body actually will change to cater to this need.
wish me luck when confinement is over, cos it will be real on the job training for me~ 1-1 with bb...so scary~!