How to Switch From Breast to Bottles

While the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breast milk throughout the first year, breastfeeding your child for this length of time may prove difficult. (source 1) Most mothers do not have the option to stay by their child's side 24 hours a day. Furthermore, there are occasions when a mother may not want to breastfeed her child or the father may want to share in the experience of feeding his baby. Accordingly, at some point or another, every mother must introduce her baby to bottle feeding.

Instructions

1

Substitute breastfeeding with occasional bottle feedings. Begin by changing the baby's midday feedings from the breast to the bottle.

2

Choose a bottle with a nipple that is similar to your baby's pacifier. Heat the nipple with warm water to make it more appealing. Allow your baby to play with the nipple before feeding so that she can familiarize herself with it.

3

Allow someone else, such as the father, to feed the child the first bottle. Leave the area, or home if possible, while your baby is being given the first bottle. Allowing someone else to bottle feed the baby for the first time will create less confusion for the child.

4

Offer the baby the bottle slightly before his regular feeding time. Offer the bottle when the baby is hungry enough to be interested but not frustrated by the cold nipple.

5

Hold the baby in her normal feeding position while bottle feeding. Switch the hold if the baby seems uncomfortable. Experiment until you find a hold that works.

6

Continue changing one feeding at a time every two to three days until you have reached the desired number of bottle feedings. Stop all breastfeeding with two weeks of beginning the weaning process if you are completely eliminating breastfeeding.