is a bottle really an easier feed? Once let down happens the milk usually flows on it's own...?
Teagz, it can definitely be a faster flow with a bottle. Every breast is different - even the left and right side on the same woman can be different in terms of flow and let down speed. Mine certainly are and I could tell that by DS's different behaviour on each side. Sometimes the flow of the breast is faster for some women but usually (I think!) the bottle teat is quicker - the baby has more control. It does really depend on the type of feeder the baby is. In my case, DS wanted it yesterday and wasn't always patient enough to work for the let down, so he got frustrated and pulled off a lot to cry and protest and that delayed the let down further. Once 'we' achieved let down, he settled into the feed but he would become agitated and impatient again towards the end and I suspect the flow slowed down again as the breast emptied. When he got his mouth on a bottle, he seemed to be able to make it go as fast as he wanted it to. A different, more patient baby would possibly have just taken a slow and steady approach and worked consistently through the feed. I hope that all makes sense!!