When it comes to introducing bottles to babies and families, it is vital that both parties are comfortable with the process. This will reduce bottle refusal while making the experience less stressful for all involved.
Select a bottle with a slow flow nipple for optimal breastfeeding simulation and reduced likelihood of nipple preference.
1. Be Patient
Be patient as baby attempts to learn how to drink from their bottle. Offer it regularly until they find success with it.
Beginning to introduce bottles at least several weeks prior to returning to work or traveling allows your child to adjust to this new method of feeding. A trusted family member or friend could also help by offering the bottle during those initial feeds.
Babies are highly attuned to their mother’s emotions and will pick up on any tension when trying out the bottle for themselves. Try to ensure a stress free experience for both of you by watching for hunger cues and offering it when needed; gently stroke their lips to elicit rooting responses then allow them to accept the nipple rather than forcefully pressing down, mimicking breastfeeding’s latch and helping transition them over more smoothly to their bottle-feeding experience.
2. Don’t Overdo It
At first, your baby may seem disinterested in trying the bottle. She may play with it a bit before rejecting it outright. Give her time to get used to it before gently encouraging her by providing skin-to-skin contact (if possible) as you try and simulate breastfeeding.
Provide bottles during times when your baby is in a good mood. Many breastfeeding moms find great success offering bottles first thing in the morning or during their child’s favorite feeding period such as bedtime.
Be sure the person giving her the bottle has experience pacing and encouraging a slow flow of milk similar to breastfeeding. Keep an eye out for signs of stress during feedings such as jaw-dropping sucking or leaky lips; encourage slower sucking to avoid overfeeding. If she becomes overwhelmed, breastfed babies may stop taking bottles altogether, something which typically takes several weeks of therapy to overcome.
3. Don’t Give Up
Breastfeeding provides much more than calories to your baby – it provides comfort, sleep support and regular cuddles with mum! That is why some babies resist changing to bottle feeding, however if leaving them behind it’s vital that they learn this skill quickly.
Lactation consultants typically recommend waiting until breastfeeding has been established before introducing bottles, but that isn’t always feasible. Here are some strategies to get your baby started on the right track with bottles: begin with an appetizer bottle containing between half and one ounce of milk; let your baby play with and become familiar with its shape before playing with your actual food bottle full-time; watch for cues like turning her head away or sucking the nipple with lips wide open, which could indicate they are using it more like pacifier rather than food source!
4. Try Again
At times, it may take multiple attempts before your baby learns how to drink from a bottle effectively. Allow both yourself and baby ample time and an unpressured environment in which to work through this transition process; consider limiting who feeds them so each caregiver gets to know your child well and knows when and how much food should be offered.
If breastfeeding has become established, consider waiting at least 4 weeks to introduce bottles as this will allow the milk supply to develop further and decrease chances of bottle preferences. It will also reinforce your breastfeeding relationship and strengthen its benefits.
Pump breast milk to establish an emergency supply. Pumping after each morning feed before your baby’s nipple relaxes is an ideal way to collect ounces for freezing later. Once ready, switch from using freshly pumped milk for feedings initially to using warmened up refrigerated or finally thawed frozen supplies for bottle feedings.https://www.youtube.com/embed/Lr6gZu9Rjvc