How to Introduce a Bottle When Nursing

The United States Breastfeeding Committee suggests that a baby be breastfed exclusively until he is at least three to four weeks old before trying to introduce him to the bottle. It takes time for most babies to get used to feeding from a bottle, as there are different tongue and mouth movements required. A mother should introduce bottle-feeding at least two weeks prior to returning to work to be able to address any problems that might arise. You should properly sterilize all of your bottles before attempting the process.

Instructions

1

Offer the baby the bottle slightly before the normal breastfeeding time. This way the baby's appetite is good but she is not over-hungry. If the baby does not receive the bottle well, breastfeeding can be completed as normal.

2

Allow someone other than the mother to attempt to bottle-feed. A baby can smell his mother from up to 20 feet away. The mother might even consider leaving the house completely.

3

Maintain eye contact with the baby during the bottle-feeding process.

4

Hold the baby in the correct position. Some babies prefer to be held in the nursing position, while others do not prefer this position, as it directly reminds them of breastfeeding.

5

Experiment with different types of bottles and nipples to find the best results.