While the time frame can vary from one mom to the next, you want to make sure your milk supply is fully established before introducing a bottle to a breastfed baby.
Whether you or a loved one will be giving baby their first bottle, use these tips and tricks to make it easier for everyone involved!
When to Introduce a Bottle for the First Time
Wait for Milk Supply to Be Established
The age-old question of when to introduce a bottle to a breastfed baby can be a tricky one. Between 2-4 weeks after you deliver, your milk supply should be fully in.
You can start by just offering one bottle a day to ensure they still have a desire to breastfeed. Sometimes, if you wait too long to offer a bottle, the baby will turn their cute little button nose up to it.
Start Preparing a Few Weeks in Advance
Some moms have no choice but to turn to bottles once they go back to work. That’s why it’s important to start introducing bottles at the right time.
If you have to go back to work at 6 weeks, start by offering the bottle when they are around 3 weeks old. That gives you a few weeks to get them used to feeding from something other than your breast.
It’s also a good opportunity to start pumping and creating a stash in your freezer. While the pump sound may ring in your ears for years to come, it’s part of the bottle feeding process.
If you aren’t getting much from the pump, don’t be discouraged. It can take some time for that to happen. Remember, your breast is way more effective than the pump, so don’t think the amount of pumped milk reflects your supply.
Tips for Giving a Breastfed Baby a Bottle
When it comes time to offer the bottle for the first time, there are a few tips to follow for successful feeding. While you may luck out and they take the bottle on the first try, keep in mind it may not be that easy.
Hold the Baby As You Would While Nursing
Sometimes when we bottle feed, we decide it’s a good time to multi-task. When you first try to get your breastfed baby to take a bottle, it’s important to hold them like you would if you were nursing.
While you may not be able to pick your baby’s favorite nursing position, as the football hold, mimicking the way you hold them while breastfeeding will help make the transition smoother.
Find the Right Milk Temperature
Part of the joys of breastfeeding is never worrying about the milk being at the right temperature. Our bodies take care of that for us. However, when you offer a bottle, you need to make sure your baby is okay with the temperature it is being served at. Some babies will take it cold, while others prefer it to be warmed slightly.
It’s important never to put a bottle in the microwave. While there are bottle warmers available, you can also warm up a mug of water in the microwave and place the bottle in the mug afterward.
I recommend warming up the water for about a minute and then letting the bottle sit in it for about five minutes. It’s a wise idea to squirt some milk on your wrist before offering it to your baby to make sure it isn’t too hot.
Offer the Bottle When They are Hungry
I know this seems like common sense, but it’s important to offer the bottle when you know they would be hungry for it. Look for those hunger cues, like rooting, and try to offer them the bottle. You can begin by squirting a little bit in their mouth so they can recognize the sweet taste of your breastmilk.
If someone else is in charge of feeding the baby while you are out of the house, remind them not to feed the baby to soothe them. It will help prevent your little one from being too reliant on a bottle. If your baby is taking a pacifier, remind the caregiver that it is better to soothe the baby than a bottle.
We have a list of the best pacifiers for breastfed babies to ensure you pick the perfect one for your baby.
Nurse, Nurse, Nurse!
When you and your baby are together, nurse as often as you can or the baby would like.
You may notice your baby thoroughly enjoying cluster feeding after spending the day away from you. While it can be tiring, it’s an excellent way to keep your breastfeeding relationship strong.
Also, the more you breastfeed, the less you have to pump. If you are working out of the house, it’s important to try to fit in pumping sessions during the day when you would normally be breastfeeding. Working moms will tell you this is no easy task, so go easy on yourself.
Have Someone Else Offer the Bottle
If your little one does not want to take it from you, grab your partner or even an older sibling. Babies are smart, and if they can smell you, they may not want to settle for the bottle. Having someone else feed the baby is also great practice if they are going to go to daycare.
FAQS on Introducing a Bottle for the First Time
What happens if my baby keeps refusing the bottle?
Be patient. Don’t offer a bottle for the first time when you have somewhere to be. Your baby may reject it at first, and you will have to be patient. It can be very frustrating, but the calmer you are, the calmer your baby will be. Go to your usual nursing spot, and just as you would nurse, offer the bottle.
If you’ve tried for several minutes without success, put the bottle away and wait another 5-10 minutes before trying again. Consider offering the bottle first thing in the morning when they are running on an empty stomach.
What’s the best bottle for breastfed babies?
Babies learn quickly that a bottle feeds them faster than a breast. On the other hand, they are also quick to know it is not the same as feeding directly from you. This is why it’s important to pick out the correct bottle. We have a list of the best bottles for breastfeeding to help you pick one that will fit you and your baby best.
In addition to finding the right bottle, you want to make sure the nipple does not have a fast flow. Again, babies will know the bottle will feed them faster if it comes out faster. I recommend getting the slowest flow available. They are also good for babies with reflux. It helps prevent them from drinking too fast and potentially swallowing too much air.
When is the best time of day to bottle feed?
You can choose the best time of day to offer a bottle to your breastfed baby. It’s not uncommon to give a bottle at night to get more sleep. This is fine as long as you are pumping anytime you give your baby a bottle. If you skip a pumping or breastfeeding session, it’s signaling to your body it doesn’t have to make much milk.
Women might notice a drop in supply when they start switching to bottles, and they can directly trace it back to not getting enough pumping sessions in. If you are unhappy with the pump you currently are using, we have a rundown of the best breast pumps available right now. As someone who had to pump for my third exclusively, I can tell you a good pump makes a huge difference.
Will bottle feeding make my baby refuse to breastfeed?
We probably all have a friend who started offering bottles to their baby, and then that sweet little one started refusing to breastfeed. Many moms worry about nipple confusion and whether bottle feeding will lead to the end of their breastfeeding days.
Since bottle feeding is essentially easier than breastfeeding, some babies may grow a preference for it. The milk in a bottle will come out faster than your breast, and a baby may enjoy the speedier flow. Staying with a slower flow nipple will prevent your baby from getting used to a bottle.
Finally, consider the paced feeding approach, where you mirror the flow of your breast. Give your baby breaks and check to make sure the baby is still eating well. While there is always the potential for your baby to begin refusing the breast, following the steps to prevent it will likely mean plenty more breastfeeding days in your future.
Final Thoughts
It’s important to know when to introduce a bottle to a breastfed baby if you need to rely on the bottles for feeding. Or if you want your baby to be able to take a bottle. Knowing when to introduce a bottle to a breastfed baby can make all the difference.
Babies can be finicky little ones, but following the tips listed above can help aid in the addition of bottle feeding to your breastfeeding journey.
