I have breast fed all three of my babies, they didn't have bottles, but I would suggest that for the first six weeks you exclusively breast feed, except during the last few days when you should get your baby used to a bottle each day (preferably given by someone else).

I just read that some babies have difficulty switching to bottles if they are not introduced quite early, so perhaps a bottle of pumped milk now and again would be a good idea.

Then, when you go back to work, pick the baby up while she is still sleeping, and nurse her, then lay her down again. Get yourself ready for work, and take her to the sitter (if that is what you will be doing), and nurse her there before you leave, and leave two bottles of your own milk. Pump your milk while you are gone (this is the milk you leave for the sitter tomorrow).

As soon as you get to the sitter's house, breast feed the baby, and then when you get home feed her again, and again before bed. If you can, pick her up and give her a "dream feed" while she is still asleep.

The idea is to feed her as often as you can while you are with her, as many times as you can during the day and night - that way, she will eat at the sitters, but will still be getting most of her food directly from you.

Also, do you HAVE to return to work after 6 weeks? Even if you could stay home with her until she is 2 or 3 months that would make sure that your milk supply is really well established before you have to leave her with a sitter.

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