Are you having a challenging time getting an exclusively breastfed baby to take a bottle? These tried and true tips are sure to help you find a way to get a breastfed baby to take a bottle.
A baby’s bottle refusal can be very stressful. Especially if you know you are going back to work, would like someone to be able to babysit your child, or your milk production is dwindling and you need to supplement with infant formula. I know how you feel because I have been there.
Many of us are more focused on properly nursing our babies and not really thinking about the repercussions of not introducing a bottle in the early days. Or you did introduce it early on but were not consistent with it because you were available to nurse your baby.
Whatever the reason, these tips on how to get a breastfed baby to take a bottle will absolutely help.
Here you will find tips taught to me by a lactation consultant and suggestions from other mothers who went through the same thing. I will also tell you exactly how I finally got my exclusively breastfed baby to take a bottle and how to avoid bottle refusal for future babies.
Keep in mind that every baby is so different. Try different combinations of these suggestions and be consistent with them daily. Consistency is absolutely vital! It will be stressful, and you will need patience but do not give up.
This post is all about how to get a breastfed baby to take a bottle.
Disclosure: As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links to products I have used and enjoyed. If you choose to click through and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
How to Get A Breastfed Baby To Take A Bottle
As I mentioned, you will need to try different combinations to determine what your baby will take to. It’s generally more challenging than just trying out 20 different bottles and seeing which one the baby will like.
Typically there are other variables on why your baby won’t take to the nipple. Of course, breastfed babies will prefer mama’s breasts, her milk, the warmth, etc., but there are ways to get a little one to take a bottle. Don’t give up!
The MOST IMPORTANT tip I can give is to be consistent every day! It takes practice like anything else someone wants to get good at. The more practice the baby gets, the better.
Also, patience, patience, patience! I know it can be frustrating, but your baby will feel your energy and will get stressed if they feel you already are.
Practice At Happy Hour
The best time to practice bottle feeding your baby is when they are in a good mood and not already super hungry. Often this can be after your baby’s nap time.
Offer them a bottle before breastfeeding baby. Give it a good try before they get too hungry but be mindful of stress cues.
Also, the best time of day is when you have enough time to sit down and take your time. You want it to be as relaxing as possible for your baby.
Have Someone Else Do It
This is one of those tips that are more commonly talked about. Go into a different room or leave the house while someone else tries to feed the baby. Sometimes a baby will smell or see mom around and refuse to take a bottle.
You can ask a family member or your baby’s father to help. It takes a little time, but it can be a great opportunity for dad and baby to bond.
Getting a breastfed baby to take a bottle is a commitment and will need to be done at least a few times a week. So If you can’t find someone that can consistently help, don’t worry. It is still possible to get your baby to take a bottle yourself.
Try A Different Position
There are a few great positions to try. However, I do not suggest practicing while they are lying flat on a surface. In fact, even when your baby finally takes a bottle, they are prone to ear infections if you let them drink a bottle lying flat on their back.
- Hold your baby upright with their back on your chest. Looking away from you. You can turn on the TV to entertain them and sort of keep their mind off the fact they don’t want to take a bottle. ( the tv was suggested to me by a lactation consultant.)
- Hold your baby as you would when nursing. You can also try to switch sides.
- Lay your baby in an upright position. This can be done on a boppy pillow, your preferred lounger, or even propped up on a couch or bed pillow. Again, using the TV can help distract them.
Try Different Nipples
When trying a different bottle teat, look for ones that mimic a mother’s natural nipple. A wide-based nipple will usually work best for an exclusively breastfed baby.
Here are some of the best bottles to get a breastfed baby to take a bottle
I purposely put MAM at the top because this was the bottle my daughter finally took. I also have a few friends whose babies also chose this bottle as their nipple preference.
Try Different Nipple Flows
You will notice if your baby needs a different milk flow if they choke while trying to latch. It is recommended to start with a slow flow nipple or extra slow flow. Some bottles also have a preemie nipple.
The good news is, if they choke when trying to drink out of the bottle, it means they can somewhat latch. Keep trying that same nipple but with a different flow
Try Different Milk Temperatures
Sometimes a baby will not take a bottle if they do not like the temperature of the milk. Try out different temperatures, but of course, not too hot where it will burn their mouth.
My daughter would only take a bottle of very warm milk.
So that you don’t waste too much milk, you can try .5 – 1 oz each time.
Warm Up The Nipple
Try warming up the nipple before giving it to your baby. While you’re in the process of making the bottle of milk, have the bottle nipple submerged in warm water.
This will mimic the warmth of a mother’s nipple.
Milk Preference
It is an excellent idea to first introduce your baby to a bottle with a bottle of breast milk. Your baby is already familiar with your milk, so if you can keep a milk supply (even a few ounces), it can really help.
If you cannot supply enough milk, it is absolutely ok to start with a bottle of formula.
Suppose your baby is getting a latch but not continuously drinking. In that case, it is possible your baby might not like the formula, and you can try out a different formula. Always keep an eye out for intolerances with different formulas.
How I Finally Got My Exclusively Breastfed Baby To Take a Bottle
Oh man, was it a journey, and it was not easy. I tried out all of these methods and different combinations of them. I really tried it all.
What finally worked for me was propping my daughter up on her boppy pillow at an angle to where she could watch the TV. Every day after her afternoon nap, my husband or I would try giving her a bottle.
I tried SO MANY different bottle nipples, and she ended up liking the MAM bottle. My daughter did not take to it immediately, but I could tell she was trying with that one more than the others. She would get some sips of milk but choke a bit, so I knew she needed a slower flow nipple which was a size 0.
My baby was finally latching occasionally but would spit the nipple out. So I tried different temperatures of milk. I ended up finding out she liked very warm milk.
After so much trial and error, I finally found her bottle preference and continued to practice with her. As the days went on, she finally got used to the bottle.
I would still nurse her daily but gave her at least a bottle or 2 a day so she could continue practicing and not regress.
This was also a relief because I finally had some independence, and her dad could feed her when I needed it.
Ways To Avoid Bottle Refusal
For best practice to ensure that a baby does not refuse a bottle is to introduce it early on. After the 4-week mark, you can introduce a bottle daily, and it will not cause nipple confusion.
Giving your baby a month to practice nursing will help you both become familiar with it and get in some good practice.
You can give your little one a bottle daily but be consistent. Otherwise, your sweet baby can absolutely decide to stop taking one.
Just like most things in life, consistency is key.
Final Thoughts And Suggestions
Along with everything else in motherhood, all we can do is try our best and have a little patience.
Try to practice a little each day and understand your little one. Give them words of inspiration as you’re helping them learn.
I recommend using .5 oz to 1 oz of milk each practice session so you do not waste too much milk, as your baby latches better up the amount.
Worst case, if none of this works, you can try out a sippy cup, but I have faith that you can get your baby to take a bottle with these suggestions and persistence.
Leave a comment with your success stories. I would love to hear them!
This Post Was All About How To Get Your Breastfed Baby To Take A Bottle.
Other Posts You Might Like:
7 Life Changing Ways To Feel More Fulfilled As A Stay-At-Home Mom
[…] Related Post: How To Get A Breastfed Baby To Take A Bottle […]