How to Introduce a Bottle for the First Time
After my C-section, I was wiped out. That night, the nurses woke me up to feed my son and I barely understood what was going on. That’s when they asked, “Do you want us to give him a bottle of formula?” Even though my plan had been to breastfeed exclusively, a bottle suddenly seemed like a good idea.
So my newborn was fed from a bottle within his first 24 hours of life. The next morning, I went back to breastfeeding, and it was a relief to know he was as happy and able to drink from a bottle as he was to get milk straight from the breast. Luckily for us, he had no “nipple confusion”—which some say happens when a baby gets used to sucking from a nipple and then has trouble sucking from a breast. (They are different after all.) Ultimately, I felt fortunate to have the option to feed him either way.
Your experience might be completely different. Maybe you’ve been breastfeeding exclusively for weeks or months, and your baby hasn’t yet taken milk or formula from a bottle. Some experts suggest you breastfeed for about four weeks before introducing your baby to a bottle, so that they get used to latching on and sucking milk from the breast. You might be worried about whether your bub will even be interested in a bottle when the time comes. These tips and how-tos will make it easier to transition your little one to the bottle, whether as an occasional option or a full transition.
Introducing A Bottle To Your Breastfed Baby
Consider having someone else feed your baby. Babies smell their mothers and recognize the unique smell of their breast milk, so it might be easier to have someone else—like your partner, a family member, or other trusted caregiver—bottle-feed your baby for the first time. Otherwise, your bub might ignore the bottle and get frustrated that you’re not offering your breast.
Warm the bottle and the milk. If the bottle has been stored in the fridge, gently heat it in a bottle warmer or a bowl of warm water. (After a few minutes, gently shake the bottle and then test a drop of milk on your wrist to make sure it’s lukewarm, not hot.) Likewise, run the nipple under warm water until it’s no longer fridge-cold.
Hold baby in a sitting position. Bottle feedings can still be close and cuddly. Make sure baby is supported in your arm and lap in a mostly upright position. Not only does this give your baby more control over the flow of milk, but it keeps them from getting used to drinking from a bottle while laying down.
Hold the bottle at a gentle angle. This helps prevent your baby from swallowing air, but also lets them control how fast the milk flows. They’ll need to actively suck to get milk.
If your baby doesn’t immediately latch on, tickle their mouth. As with breastfeeding, once their mouth is open, they may be more interested in the nipple.
Switch sides halfway through. Not only does this give your baby a new view (and potentially keep your arm from falling asleep), it makes them adaptable so they won’t form a preference to one side or another—which is especially important if you’re also still breastfeeding.
Stop when baby is full. If your baby shows signs of fullness, such as turning away from the bottle or closing their mouth, take their cue—even if the bottle isn’t empty.
Whenever you decide to give your baby their first bottle, these tips should help make the transition easy and comfortable for both of you. And it will also allow other loved ones to experience the joy of nourishing your precious bub.
