Tips on How To Get A Breastfed Baby to Take a Bottle
82Why Would You Want To Get a Baby To Take A Bottle
There are a number of reasons why you may want your breastfed baby to take a bottle. If you're looking for a reason, here a few.
- To give Mom a break from having a baby attached to her breast
- If Mom works and can't be available for every feeding session
- If you want to take turns feeding in the night so your partner can get more sleep
- If you ever want to leave your child for more than three hours
Other reasons to stop breastfeeding.
Nothing Scientific Here, But Some Background Information
- We only use pumped breast milk in our bottles. Results may vary for a number of reasons, but if you are using baby formula, let us know your results.
- We introduced a bottle at about three weeks. Initially, our baby took the bottle of breast milk easily. Some lactation consultants recommend waiting until six weeks to ensure good nursing habits. If you wait too long past 6 weeks, your baby may not take the bottle.
- Be sure to use a low flow bottle nipple, preferably a number 1.
- We fed her at least one bottle of breast-milk a week.
- The breast milk was previously frozen and re-heated by running hot water over the bag of frozen milk. You're not supposed to microwave breast milk because of pockets of hot milk can occur.
- The temperature was brought to my closest guess of milk that comes out of the body by putting a small dapple on the inside of my wrist. Be sure milk is not too hot and shake the bottle to prevent any hot spots.
- At week fourteen, our baby began rejecting the bottle and would fuss and cry until she got the milk straight from the spigot.
- Once you've mastered the bottle be sure to keep giving it to your baby at least twice a week. With our first daughter, she took the bottle at 6 weeks and we thought she wouldn't have any problems in the future. Not true, at 3 months she wouldn't take the bottle and we finally gave up.
Rejecting the bottle
Nobody likes rejection, but I felt especially sad for our bottle when our 14 week old daughter turned her nose up at it. She used to like it, but now she doesn't. She pushed the rubber nipple out with her tongue with such a natural reflex that I was sure that this was going to be a permanent bottle rejection. But. We didn't give up! We kept trying. We would give her a bottle in the morning. In the afternoon. And. Even as a dream feed. We had a bit of success giving her a bottle with the dream feed. Here's how we did it.
1. My wife would get her up gently. Then, she would give her a breast to start her sucking. Then, after she latched on to the breast, she popped her off and switched a bottle in its place. If she started sucking, we could count on her to drain the bottle.
This was great, but it still depended on my wife to be present for every feeding.
Getting the Breastfed Baby To Take a Bottle from Someone Other than Mom
The good news is it can be done! The bad news is it takes a lot of experimenting. Here's what we tried to get her to take a bottle again.
- Try holding the baby in a nursing position and giving her a bottle
- If she's fussy or crying, calm her down and then try and give her a bottle
- Try giving her a bottle while walking around
- Try distracting her with a toy and giving her a bottle
Have mom leave the house. Baby's can smell mom and may be more willing to take the bottle if she's not around.
Try different types of bottle nipples. Sometimes a baby will prefer one nipple over another.
A Breastfed Baby Taking a Bottle Pictures
Recommended: Use BPA free bottles - Look for Triangles 1, 2, or 5
Help, My Baby Won't Take a Bottle, What Worked For Us
Since my wife had success with getting our daughter to take a bottle by switching from the breast to the bottle, I decided to try a similar technique.
- I placed my daughter on my legs with my feet propped up so she was at a 45 degree angle
- Step two, I gave her a pacifier for about five seconds. Just long enough for her to stop crying and start sucking.
- I removed the pacifier from her mouth and I switched in the bottle in less than half a second.
- Bingo! She was eating like a champ from the bottle.
I think the key to having success again with the bottle was starting the sucking vs starting cold with a bottle. It seems like if we gave her the bottle first, she would just push the bottle nipple out. By giving her a pacifier, she started the sucking reflex. This warm-up primed her for re-introducing the bottle.
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Comments
Nice tips. I needed these.
I've successfully breast and bottle fed one (he's 3), working on number 2 (he's four, almost five months). I had a brief encounter with bottle rejection with the oldest, but it was a brief fase and at this point I don't remember what I did(if anything) to get him out of it.
I love nursing "from the spigot" and never carry a bottle or milk with us. Both mothers dislike that about me - they say I should always be prepared, but I don't see the need in carrying a bottle and defrosting milk (at the risk of not using it - this stuff is liquid gold!) if I'm with little guy.
Anyway, I just wanted to note that I found bottles that I do use while I am at work that I really like because they resmeble the shape of the breast. It may help with your bottle rejection. Although you seem to have it down to a system. They're called Natural Nurser or BreastBottle by Adiri. Check them out, they're neat.... they're also safe because they contain no BPA's which is an excellent plus!
Anyone else have experience with the Natural Nurser or Breast Bottle? Love to hear more about them.
Isn't it just amazing how today, as parents, you worry over bottle feeding; or who's turn it is to change a diaper? Then it seems like you blink and your more concerned about which child hid the keys? Or my favorite (I have a boy) who took the time to pee on the floor? My kids are young but I'm sure you'll agree it beats worrying about who they date!
Oh and you left out the number one reason to get your baby to take a bottle...... (drum roll) MOMMY IS NOT A TEETHING TOY!!!
Good luck with your precious one and thanks for giving me my new best friend-hubpages!
Pen-n-Pad ~ http://hubpages.com/hub/Screening-Physicians
With our daughter we tried about 7 different bottles and teats before she'd take one. Good advice in here - also don't give up trying!
I just can't get my girl to take a bottle, I have tried the bottles that are closest to breasts, I have tried to start her off with breastfeeding then putting the bottle in, I have tried getting my hubby to do it while I left the house, but she just screams & screams, we are about two weeks into trying her on the bottle, is there any more tips any one can give? She took breastmilk from the bottle up until about 10 weeks, she is now 13 weeks, and will not even take breastmilk from the bottle anymore.
Here are a few things you can try.
1. Try a dream feed bottle. This is trying to feed her when she is half asleep.
2. Try fresh pumped breast milk
3. Try giving her a bath and then giving her a bottle
Let us know what works for you when you find it.
As an FYI, our daughter has been much more interested lately in getting a bottle from my wife then from me.
Here's how Professional Postpartum Doulas at Birth & Beyond, Inc. teach moms to help their breastfed babies learn to take a bottle --and yet still take the breast at another feeding~!:
PLEASE NOTE: This should not be started until breastfeeding is fully established and baby has had a good consistent latch and is gaining weight. Our experience has been that this works at 6 weeks--AT THE EARLIEST for FULL-TERM, HEALTHY BABIES. It is even better to introduce a bottle at about 7+ weeks after full term birth.
1) Put the baby to breast just enough to satisfy her thirst (about 1 minute after let-down or one minute from when a smooth suck-swallow pattern is being observed.)
2) Fully break the baby's latch from the breast and give the baby bottled (room temp) pumped breast milk. (This could have been pumped from a previous pump session. Usually at night to increase prolactin levels). Use a low flow #1 nipple on the bottle. Allow the baby to suck from the bottle until she "figures it out". This should only take a 8-10 sucks from the bottle. A hungry baby (who was born at full term and is at least 5-6 weeks old) who is not screaming and whose thirst has been satisfied will generally not get frustrated :) and will quickly 'figure out' how to suck from the bottle nipple. After the baby learns how to suck from the bottle. Take the bottle out of the baby's mouth.
3) Reattach the baby to the breast and finish the entire feeding from the breast.
Do this as above for at least 2-3 feedings in a row.
This will allow the baby to be able to take a bottle, but not reject the breast. We have seen this work.
Best wishes!
Noreen Roman
Director of Labor and Postpartum Doula Services
Birth & Beyond, Inc. Doula Services
Cleveland, Ohio
www.birthandbeyond.org
440-333-4996
please please help im in the same postion but tried everything and im getting tired and frustrated. my baby will not except the bottle at all she's 3 months and my boobs still hurt. what shall i do
Hi Tina. I know it can be frustrating when a baby won't take a bottle. Have you tried a lactation consultant? They might be able to help you figure out why your breasts are sore and offer hands on demonstation on how to introduce a bottle.
I'm also having the same problem with my 4 month old daughter. I've tried every bottle and nipple as well as pacifier's and she won't latch on to any of them. I always use breast milk and still nothing. I go back to work in a week and just dont' know what else to do. If she isn't nursed she just cries until she exhausts herself to sleep it's heartbreaking... Any other advice?
Hi Katie, I'm in the same exact boat. Has anything been successful for you yet? In our case, our daughter took a bottle of breast milk or formula until about 4 months and then just refused everything exept the breast. I've tried a few things (sleepy feeds, feeding in the dark, changing locations, having others try giving the bottle, different nipples etc.)
Help!
@Kristen and Katie
Ask your doctor if they can recommend a lactation consultant. It was super frustrating for us and our first daughter. By the time we had our third, we were much more consistent with offering a bottle and had much less challenges.
Good luck.
If nothing seems to work you might ask your Dr. if your baby has a texture problem. This can show up early. I took care of a little girl and it was a constant battle. Finally I swaddled her tightly and she'd take the bottle. When solids were added the fight began again. Had the Mom check it out with her Dr. They put her on appetite stimulant plus therapy...........she is now 5 and a normal eater. Can't hurt to ask. Good Luck!!!
i have a 4 1/2 month old daughter and she is refusing a bottle as well. i have had some success with first years' breastflow bottle. it acts just like mothers breast. but it is still a battle!
I have a brestfed baby too and I have tried differen bottles pacifiiers, nipples, other siblings feed her, just about everything. I have been trying for about 3 wks and it doesn't seem to get better and I couldn't go back to work after my time off because she won't take anything besides the breast. HELP PLEASE
Thanks, Paul, this has to be the best site on getting your baby to take a bottle. We introduced the bottle at 3 weeks and he did alright. He took a bit once a week for a few weeks, then we slowed down to twice a week....I just didn't like pumping. So now, at 4 months when he rejects it on a regular basis.....I've switched to bottle feeding formula. Right now I waste a good 2 oz of formula every day - but somehow it's better to me than wasting the precious breast milk I worked so hard to pump - finding the time to do it can be tough when you also have a 3.5 year old. :)
Thanks again, I'm going to try your suggestions as well as some of the other comments.
I have tried the ADIRI and BREASTFLOW as well as other 'typical' bottles and nipples. I'm going to get the LATEX nipple and also the SECOND NATURE and see how they go
I really like the nurse first idea, feed in the dark and also the sleepy feed. I'm trying these today! ;)
I really enjoyed your article. I'm a fan!
my baby wont even take a dummy. hes almost 5 months and hates the bottle i have to hold the bottle in his mouth while he screams for about an hour before he ends up falling asleep help me
I know it can be frustrating to bottle feed breastfed babies. Does he quiet down while he's moving? You may want to try giving him a bottle while he's in a swing - a little tricky, but can be done. Or while he's rocking.
Just like many of you, my daughter will not take a bottle, we've tried about six nipples including breast flow. I go back to work soon and I'm super worried, I've noticed some of these post are a few months old, did these feeding issues get solved?
Our daughter takes a bottle like a champ now. We had to keep trying, but we finally got there.
Please help, my 3 month old will not drink from any bottle. She will tolerate it in her mouth and is happy to play with it. She will just not suck. I have tried all kinds of nipples, times of day, people and nothing. I of course will be back at work by the end of the month. Should i try leaving for the day and see if hunger will help her take the bottle? Should i try at every feeding to get her to take it. she eventually gets very upset with this.
Jen, try contacting a local specialist.
i encourage everyone that is breastfeeding to try the mam bottle. it is the only one my son will use. i tried the adiri. the nipple was nothing like a real one. its too hard and too short. your nipple shapes to your babys mouth. the mam one is shaped very similar and has a nice texture. it encourages ypur baby to suckle like breastfeeding instead of suck.
It really is so different for every baby! After going through MANY bottles, including breastflow, adiri, Mam, Aventi, and Nuk, our daughter is having SOME succes with Nuk. It really almost depends on her mood, I go back to work in five weeks and have been trying for 7 weeks. She's now 10 weeks old. The only thing I know how to do is keep trying. We even tried a regular cup with a lactation specialist. She did not like that AT ALL. I'm thinking of a sippy cup, anyone else have any experience with one?
sippy cups did not work for me. i went on strike and forced him to take a bottle. i knew he could because he had before. he just did not want to. i let him get really hungry then i would give him the bottle. if he refused. then i would wait about 30 min and try again. dont force it. maybe let her play with the bottle. my baby has to have his milk very warm or he will not take it. i also sometimes have to place my finger to his chin. i think its because of the skin on skin contact. maybe you should just stay home!!!! wouldnt that be nice.
my baby is 10 months old and I started to stop breastfeeding and introduce the bottle as early as 5 months and until now its insuccessful. I always felt guilty when I see her crying out loud, hugging me and asking for my breast,so I end up giving it to her. I have tried different nipples,time of feeding,positions, I even tried herbs because other moms told me about it, Ive also tried starving her and tried giving the bottle but she still refuses, she just keep on pushing the bottle with her hands and if I succeeded to put it on her mouth she just bite on it.,its really frustrating especially now that I have been planning to go back to work..but I still have guilty feeling about it.she already eat some solid foods but doesn't want to gve up my breast..
can you help me?
my baby is 6 weeks. i am having a very hard time with getting my baby on the bottle. HELP!! she is my second child. my first girl (now 5yrs old) never took a bottle. and now this one doesn't want the bottle as well. she use to drink from a bottle pretty good and now she's rejecting the bottle. i'm trying everything i can. any advice???
i am having the same problem. My 11 month old refuses the bottle. Her diapers are not so wet and that really worries me....but she just wouldnt take the bottle
Hi, my 2 1/2 month old will not take a bottle. He cries so hard, that after an hour, I end up breastfeeding him. I've been trying for 2 weeks now and am worried. I've tried all kinds of bottles and nipples, he does not use a pacifier. Help, I need to return to work in 2 weeks!
I am trying to supplement breast milk and formula. My daughter is 15 weeks and I have only breastfed her until now. When I pump I can't seem to get more than 2 oz of milk in the bottle so I am supplementing with formula but she does not like the taste. I've tried different formula's but it just turns into a scream fest. any suggestions on introducing formula?
Interesting that bottle refusal is such a common occurence yet no-one warns you to wean the baby earlier. Along with breastfeeding I gave a supplementary bottle of formula or expressed milk (1 oz)with her reflux medication in it from 5 weeks every day, four times a day until baby was about 4 months and then she rejected the bottle. I have tried all ideas including different teats, bottles, times of day, temperature, people feeding and starving for 2 feeds for four days. The thing that seemed to have a little success was using the sippy cup after she had missed one feed and had not eaten for almost 6 hours. She would take the cup just enough to fill her up and then repeat the same thing the next day. My next step is probably now to go cold turkey and not offer any breastfeeds for an entire day (just water and solids for hydration), I think this may be the only way.
I have breastfed all three of my children. My last one is a challange. I have been home longer with her and she breastfeds like a champ. I have given her bottles and she will take them from me. The big issue here is that she will not eat for anyone other then me. Please help I don't know what to do.
I have a 6 month old, she accepted the bottle from 3 weeks until 2 months. At app 2 months she completely refused the bottle. I tried pumped milk, all different types of formula, different bottles/nipples, temperatures...everything! I don't go back to work for another 2 months but my issue is that I can not get her to go to sleep without nursing her! I tried the "no cry sleep solution" and the "cry it out" method - but she needs the nursing as her sleep cue. She will drink from a regular cup with her cereal but when it comes time for a nap she wants nothing but the breast, even though she is not hungry. I've tried rocking, walking, singing, my husband offering the bottle. I am at my wits end - and suggestions??
If she'll take a cup, have you tried a sippy cup? One thing we do with our daughter when putting her down for a nap is hanging a mobile above her crib, we give her a sippy cup of milk (cold), then we turn on white noise. If she cries, we pick her up, calm her down, then put her right down. Sometimes we put her down and just sit down and wait for her to fall asleep if it's a particularly challenging day. If we are there, that has a calming affect.
I have a six month old that I nanny. His mother has started classes a last week and she leaves at 5:30 in the morning, the father is a doctor and is hardly ever in the house, but when he is, he is really useless when it comes to feedings.
The baby used to take a bottle of formula, his mothers milk has dried up, so he cant nurse, but now he refuses to take anything, even solid foods. Personally I think he is on a hunger strike because this is the first time he has ever really been away from mum. Every now and then she will "nurse" him, but there isn't really anything coming out, maybe half a quart.
We are all afraid he is going to starve himself if he doesn't start taking something soon! should i just let him starve it out? It has been a real battle, holding the bottle in his mouth, giving him a Nuk and then swapping them out, I'm starting to think that hes going to be traumatized if it goes on any longer...
I also have tried many types of bottles including Dr Browns and adiri, but just got the mam bottle and my little girl (5 months) took it immediately... we've had success with it for 2 days so far :) I definitely recommend the MAM!
good ideas.. i'm breastfeeding now for 8 months and baby won't take a bottle it's very hard to leave him alone..
i also have a 5 month old girl that wont take anything other than breast,ive tried different nipples dummys,she is slow to gain weight so i want to top up with formula but she hates it and crys,im going to try leasving her with her dad on the weekend and see how she goes,where do you get the mam? im in new zealand and havnt heard of it?
sminut13 says:
17 months ago
hahaha i use this idea too. though i don't use a pacifier. my son who's 5 this year is still on bottle. my daughter who's 2 mths is breastfeeding. she drinks from the bottle once or twice a day. i usually feed her from the bottle at night so that she's full and won't keep waking up in the middle of the night.
great information and cute pictures. thanks for sharing.