A lot of midwives and lactation specialists recommend you wait until your baby is 3 to 4 weeks old and breastfeeding is well established before introducing a bottle bottles. If your are going back to work, start baby bottle feeding at least two weeks before your start date so you can work out any glitches before it’s time
Because drinking milk from a baby bottle requires different mouth and tongue actions than breastfeeding, it may take your little baby a little time to get used to the change in feeding patterns.
Check out these tips for a smooth changeover:
• Give or offer her a baby bottle a little earlier than her regular feeding time so she'll be hungry and interested, but not so hungry that she will get frustrated by the new feeling and tasting bottles teat.
• Try and get someone else feed her the few baby bottles. Your baby will be less confused if you don't give her the bottle yourself, since she may wonder why she's not getting your breast. As an alternative, ask someone who might bottle feed her in your absence — your aunty, her grandmother or your husband or partner.
• If you can get out of the room or house for this big moment; babies can smell their mother from a distance of at least 10 meters, and she may know that you (and your breasts) are around even if you're in another room.
Bottle feeding your baby can be just as nurturing physically as breastfeeding if you cuddle the baby close. Some babies like to be held in a nursing position while drinking from a bottle; some find the position a little weird. Ask the person who is offering your baby the bottle to try a few things out while maintaining good eye contact with her, and give her a chance to get used to this very new experience.
Some babies tend not to eat very much when Mum is not home, and if they are away from her during the day your baby may begin waking more frequently at night. Don't be upset or stressed if this happens; treasure these quiet and intimate times and use them to reconnect with your baby.