Is your baby refusing the bottle? Learn 3 genius, expert-approved hacks for bottle feeding a breastfed baby without tears or frustration.
3 Hacks for Bottle Feeding a Breastfed Baby
Returning to work or simply needing a break means introducing a bottle. However, many nursing infants absolutely refuse rubber nipples. Successfully bottle feeding a breastfed baby is one of the most frustrating challenges for new mothers.
Fortunately, there are clever ways to trick them into accepting it.
Mastering Bottle Feeding a Breastfed Baby
Your baby associates you entirely with nursing. Therefore, bottle feeding a breastfed baby requires changing their sensory environment.
1. Have Someone Else Feed Them If a mother tries to give the bottle, the baby will smell her milk and scream for the real thing. Leave the house entirely and let your partner or a grandparent offer the bottle.
2. Use a Slow Flow Nipple Breast milk flows much slower than a standard bottle. If you use a fast-flow nipple, the baby will gag and reject it. Always buy « Preemie » or « Size 0 » slow-flow nipples.
3. Change the Feeding Position Do not hold them in the traditional nursing position when giving a bottle. Instead, sit them facing outward on your lap or put them in a bouncy seat to break the association.
Keep Practicing
It takes time for them to learn this new skill. Stay patient, use these tricks for bottle feeding a breastfed baby, and eventually, they will take it without a fuss!
