Expert: ruth kraft - 5/15/2009

Question
I am breastfeeding my daughter who is 2 months old. The beginning of breastfeeding was very difficult due to Mastitis, engorgement, sever nipple pain etc. At that time my daughter was taking a bottle of formula to supplement. After about 3 weeks my daughter got a viral infection that put her in the ER for blood work and IV hydration. After that situation my daughter would not touch a bottle and wanted to just nurse, so I did exactly that. I nursed her around the clock and eventually my supply increased and now I am nursing exclusively but she wont even take a bottle of breast milk without fussing and even then she only takes an ounce or 2. Now that my daughter is 2 months old nursing is going well and I am really enjoying it. My husband and I wanted to go somewhere over night when she is closer to 3 months and my mother would watch her. Is it bad to force her to take the bottle of breast milk for that day that I am away? Also, she goes back and forth from having quick nursing sessions to long drawn out sessions where I will think that she's done and then she wants to latch on for another session...is this to be expected for much longer? How much does a 3 month old nurse during the day?
Thank you!

Answer
hello! congrats for overcoming all that chaos at the first 6 weeks :(  that had to be hard....  She is a smart baby for not wanting a bottle  :) The difference between a 2 month old and 3 month old is huge. I would forgo trying to give her bottles for the next couple weeks so she doesnt keep trying to associate it with bad or negative visions that she has. about a week before you go, have your mother try, and see how she does. after that amount of time, your not going to hurt her by giving her breastmilk from a bottle for a day. You need that time for you , and she will be ok. so Your not being a bad mother.  when you come home, reconnect with her and she will be happy to see yoU!  She just got out of her growth spurt at 2 months, so you should see more of a pattern as she finds what type of nursing routine works best for her. Different babies do different thing so unfortunaltly, its hard to tell how much she will nurse then. it varies dramatically but most often between 2 and 3 hours , sometimes 4 in the am and afternoon and every 2 in the evening . and by three months she might sleep through most of the night. ;)

Good luck! and enjoy your time away! its good to take care of you!