when to intro bottle/paci

[Ravin]

I'm going back to work when DS is 6 weeks old. Nursing is going beautifully, we haven't had any problems so far. I got a pump from WIC today, so I can start pumping whenever I'm ready.

My question is, when should we introduce the bottle and pacifier? I'll be working 4 4-hr shifts and 2 8-hr overnight shifts a week, assuming they put me back on my old schedule. I want to have a pacifier available for comfort to limit how much DS decides he needs to eat while I'm gone (hoping he'll reverse cycle). I didn't find anything on Kellymom or LLLI...I'd love feedback from experienced WOH nursing mamas. 

[JudiAU]

Congratulations on your birth. I hope you are recovering well. Glad to hear that baby is nursing well. We introduced a paciffer around week 3-4. Neither baby took to them initially and we had to try. I wanted for them to have a source of comfort while I was away and it has worked out well for them. It is a good idea to have a few different shapes (Soothie and Mam 0-2 infant worked best for us). I would try and avoid using a lot until you are work; just for comfort when nursing doesn't work.

As for bottles, usually they rec around 4-6 weeks. I would probably wait until week four and have the bottle always given by someone else. We've had good luck with the newly redesigned medela nipple that makes for less bottle washing.

I've found the following helpful to both my milk supply, sanity, and emotions: I never give bottles, bottles are not given in my presence or when I am around, bottles are only given when I am working, Other than when I am work, I nurse on demand.

Co-sleeping saved me a lot of stress, helped maintain my milk supply, and gave me snuggle time with my second. But if I knew I was going to be done some nights I would have to rethink my strategy.

I found it helpful to build a stash using double pumping, i.e. choosing a set time every morning and pumping ten minutes, taking a shower, pumping ten minutes. And a small freezer is awesome if you have the space. Totally worth the money. With my first, I also did it at night.

Best of luck. It isn't easy but can be done. I've been able to ebf exclusively with both kids, never supplement, work full time.

[Ravin]

Thanks for the tips! I plan to intro the paci first for in the car. We'll do a couple of practice runs for the baby alone with DH and/or DW#2 and a bottle. I'll probably also start incorporating pumping into my routine ahead of time to get used to the pump so I can do it quickly at work.