How to Introduce a Bottle to a Baby

Whether you are feeding your baby for the first time or he has been making a meal out of breast milk, it is always a good idea to have baby learn to drink from a bottle. Here are some helpful ideas to get you going, help you feel less overwhelmed and make for a content and happy baby.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Consider your baby's age. If the baby is younger and still nursing, consider a Playtex drop-in or a similar type of bottle. These nipples are similar to mom's and they will take in less air. The disposable bags are easy to fill, especially in the middle of the night. They can also be "burped" for better digestive health. You can easily see how many ounces are taken in.

2. Tease your baby's mouth with the nipple and see if she will latch on. This gives you a good indicator if the baby is hungry as well. If they do not at least try to latch on, they probably are not hungry. If they turn their head outright, put it away and try for another time or try another nipple or style of bottle.

3. Experiment with a few different styles of bottles to see if your baby has a preference. If you know you will be doing night feedings, have a couple of bottles made up ahead of time.

4. Realize that an older baby may not take to an artificial nipple right away. Keep trying. If you still cannot make the transition and feeding is becoming problematic, try a spill proof cup shaped like a bottle.

5. Have the formula room temperature or warmer. Always test it on your wrist. This will make baby more likely to take the bottle. After awhile, if you are on the go a lot, you can get baby used to cooler milk temperatures gradually. If the baby is older, you can try juice or other liquids.

6. Encourage an older baby to hold the bottle by himself if he is physically ready. Never prop the bottle into a baby's mouth under any circumstances.

Tips & Warnings

• Have a shaker bottle for making formula, don't try to make it in the plastic bags or the bottle itself.
• Always measure formula and water accurately.
• You may freeze breast milk in small bags and thaw in warm water for later use in a bottle.
• Feed your baby in the same position you would if you were nursing; maintain that closeness.
• Feed baby in the same chair or room you would normally use.
• Realize babies may eat for comfort.
• Hospital pacifiers (Nuks) work well for bottle transition and feeding.
• Never heat breast milk in the microwave. Use a bottle warmer or warm gently on the stove.
• Introduce the bottle gradually before a nursing mom goes back to work. Don't expect it to happen all in a short period of time.
• Test the milk on your wrist before feeding baby.

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[thesquirrelymom]

on 7/30/2008 Great info, thanks! I remember when my first son was born, I just assumed they would know how to nurse, but he had to be helped out.