How To Introduce A Bottle To Your Baby
December 15, 2021 2025-03-18 17:16How To Introduce A Bottle To Your Baby
Introducing a Bottle To Your Breastfed Baby
Bottle feeding is an important transition, whether you’re preparing to return to work, need to share feeding responsibilities, weaning, or simply want the flexibility for others to feed your baby. While some babies take to bottles easily, others may need time and gentle encouragement. With some patience and the right approach, bottle feeding can be worked into your routine to help meet your family’s needs.
Don’t feel like reading? Watch our video!
5 Practical Tips for Bottle Feeding Success:
1. Timing is key
The ideal time to introduce a bottle is between 3-6 weeks, once breastfeeding has been established. Pick a time when baby is calm and in the early stages of hunger. Fussy babies are not good at learning new things! Babies older than 2 months may have a harder time, but don’t fret! We are here to help you through it. Just reach out.
2. Keep it familiar
Keep as many variables the same as possible. Sit in your usual chair. Start with your usual breastfeeding position. If possible, use freshly expressed breast milk for the first few bottles so it tastes and smells like what your baby is used to. You can also soak the bottle nipple in warm breast milk for a few minutes to soften the texture and make it smell more like mom!
3. Be mindful of nipple flow
Choose a bottle nipple designed with a slow flow to encourage the same sucking technique your baby uses at the breast. Size 0 or preemie flow is ideal for most. Larger nipple sizes can lead to overfeeding and cause babies not to work as hard for their feeds, which can lead to frustration at the breast.
Don’t know where to start when choosing a bottle? Here are our top 5 starter recommendations:
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4. Positioning
Hold your baby in a semi-upright “sitting” position or lay them sideways across your raised knees. Use the “paced bottle feeding” technique — tilt the bottle only slightly, allowing the baby to suck and pause as they would at the breast. Watch our video on this HERE.
5. Patience and practice
Babies pick up on our stress and anxiety. Staying calm and relaxed will allow the bottle feeding experience to remain gentle and positive. Always wait until your baby opens their mouth willingly before inserting the bottle, do not force it. Gently brush the bottle nipple against their lips, letting them root and latch on. Start with small volumes so you don’t feel anxiety over “wasting” your milk or expensive formula if they refuse. It’s okay, just try again later. It can take multiple attempts.
Are you concerned about your baby getting enough to eat? Book a consult with one of our lactation consultants (IBCLCs) today and we can see how well your baby is feeding, evaluate your milk supply and make a plan tailored to you and your baby’s needs.
***The information provided on our website is intended solely for general educational and informational purposes only. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician for any questions you may have regarding your or your child’s medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have received in this information.***
