Hello,
I want to comment on the idea of teaching mothers that they should start
introducing bottles at two weeks, with the idea that if one plans to go back
to work, but waits too long to start offering bottles, the baby may have
problems...

Not only do I have personal experience with this, but I manage a large
on-site lactation support program for a major employer.  I suggest to
mothers that they NOT try to introduce bottles in advance of their return to
work.  Why?  Because I believe the possibility of creating tension between
the mother and her baby during that precious and terribly short maternity
leave and even possibly bottle preference in the early days is more
problematic than the idea that the baby may need a few days of support to
learn to take the bottle after mom is gone.

One thing that I always say is - "what difference will it really make in the
long run if the baby learns to take the bottle on week 4 or on week 7?  I
have had SO many mothers tell me that their baby does not want to take a
bottle from them, but will for dad or someone else... and I believe babies
are smart enough to realize when mom is GONE and the bottle is the only game
in town.  Will there be some fussing and a period of adjestment?  Yes, but
that is what happens when babies are asked to spend their time with someone
not their mom at such a young age.

One other thing that greatly concerns me about the suggestion to start
bottles at two weeks of age has to do with GROWTH SPURTS.  Since so many
babies are needing to nurse a lot on around that third week, what is the
impact of introducing a bottle at that time?

Before I would be willing to tell mothers to start bottles at two weeks of
age I would need some evidence based data.

Sincerely,
Susan Jacoby, IBCLC
Clovis,
CA

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