Introducing a Bottle to a Breastfed Baby
Even if you're a "breast is best" kind of mom, there may come a time when you want to offer your little boob-o-phile a bottle so that you can get a well-deserved break from feeding every once in a while! But just because you want your kid to take the bottle doesn't mean she'll be that eager to swap your warm, comfy boob for a plastic sub.
Here are a few ways to make the transition an easier one:
- Have someone other than mom give the bottle. If the boob is right in her face (literally) she may reject the bottle. Babies can smell mommy's milk for up to 20-feet, so it's best to get outta dodge!
- Offer the bottle when your baby is hungry but not starving. You don't want her to get frustrated and flip out.
- If she's a paci-lover, offer a nipple similar to the binkie nipple so she's familiar with it. You may have to experiment with different nipples before baby bites.
- Try different positions. Some babies will like being held as if they're sucking the boob, others will want to shake it up a bit.
- Don't force it. If you try a few times and she's not having it, try again later. You don't want bottle-feeding to become a battle. You'll have plenty of those in the years ahead, so no need to start the tug-o-war now!
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