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Introducing a bottle

How long should I wait before giving a bottle to my baby?  Is two weeks too early?  Is two months too late? When exactly is the magic moment ?

Try to wait four weeks if at all possible!  Even if you get your pump before the baby is born, try and wait before introducing a bottle.  You want to make sure that your milk supply is well established and that  the baby is eating successfully and gaining weight before taking this next step.  If you have a special circumstance and are going back to work or school before 4 weeks, then naturally you will need to introduce the bottle earlier.  Some babies will accept anything that is put in their mouth...others are more opinionated and may show nipple preference so if you give a bottle too early, your baby could end up prefering the bottle nipple to the breast. Then there are those babies who refuse to take a bottle at all or you end up having to try out every nipple on the market before finding the one your baby will accept. There are people who say that you have to be carfeul not to miss the "magic moment" when your baby will be more open minded about accepting a bottle...sometime before 8 weeks.  So don't wait too long, especially if you are going back to work and your baby will need to take a bottle. Some babies will say yes to going back and forth between breast and bottle without a problem.  But if your baby is less flexible about this, read through the following tips. 

  • Wait at least 4 weeks so you and the baby get in a groove with breastfeeding and your milk supply is well established.
  • Try having your partner or someone else give the bottle to the baby. You are all about milk that comes directly from the breast and some babies are not thrilled about taking a bottle from their mom.
  • It might help to leave the room or the house- your voice and smell can distract the baby.
  • In some cases in the beginning, it might help to offer the bottle in a position that is different from a breastfeeding position. Once the baby is used to accepting a bottle you can then use a cradle position for feeding. Ideally you want the baby in a cradle position for eye contact and to stay connected while feeding.
  • If your baby fusses or refuses in the beginning, don't give up - keep trying every day to help her get used to the idea.
  • If you have a baby with strong opinions, you may need to try a few different nipples.   A slow flow nipple like the Avent newborn or slow flow is one of the best to use in the beginning.

HEALTH ALERT:

Do not ever prop a bottle or leave a baby alone holding a bottle. Somebody should always be holding a bottle for the baby. Cuddle your baby and make eye contact while bottle feeding.

 

 

 

Select from the topics below:

  1. Meet Megan, our expert
  2. Why pump?
  3. Choosing a pump
  4. Tips for Successful Pumping
  5. Collecting milk
  6. Storing milk
  7. Giving pumped breastmilk to my baby
  8. Choosing a bottle and nipple
  9. Cleaning my pump
  10. Accessory basics for successful pumping
  11. Introducing a bottle
  12. Bottlefeeding basics for dads and others
  13. Using a second hand pump
  14. Letting Big Brother/Sister Help with Feeding
  15. Pumping for Twins or more
  16. Increasing Milk Supply
  17. Formula?
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NursingMom.com is not a medical website. Educational information from this web site is general in nature and may or may not apply to your specific condition. Do not use this information to diagnose a health condition. The information provided is not a substitute or replacement for medical care or your relationship with your health care provider. Our goal is to help you choose a breast pump and accessories so that you can continue to give your baby the best milk ideally for at least the first year. We have made every effort to provide up-to-date and accurate information, but all information is subject to errors, omissions, and change without notice.