Any ideas on how to get a nursing (breastfeed) baby to bottle feed?

Question

Well I'm a nursing mom, and I love nothing more than to be able to bond so well while you breastfeed your baby. I really wish it could never end, but eventually it has to end. And now that she's getting bigger (4months) I need to get her use to bottle feeding. But do you have any ideas on how to get her to latch to a bottle, she just doesnt want it. I try and try and she would rather have mommy than a bottle. If you have any ideas please feel free and let me know. Thanks

Answer 1

Suggestions from my wife (who works in an OB unit):

Drip formula on your nipples and let the baby get used to the taste of formula.

Use rubber nipples (as opposed to silicone) on the bottle because the rubber feels more like skin. If your baby doesn't like the rubber one, try the orthodontic nipples, which are flatter.

Position the bottle under the arm to "trick" the baby into thinking it is feeding from you.

You may add a small amount (1 teaspoon for four ounces) of clear corn syrup to make the formula taste sweet like breast milk.

Also use a slow flow nipple (which flows more like a breast). The faster flows may choke the baby which is used to the slower flow of the breast.

Good luck!

Lenny

Answer 2

I found these AWESOME bottles from The First Years called BreastFlow bottles. They have a dual nipple design that simulates suction and compression just like a breast. The outer nipple is soft and shaped like a breast, the inner nipple acts like the milk ducts. The baby will get small sips until the outer nipple fills up, then it is just like a letdown with a gush so to speak. There are even drainage tabs on the outer nipple to allow fluid to go back into the bottle.

I breastfeed and have NO problems with nipple confusion with this bottle. It might be a greay way to wean from the breast to bottles as well. Baby will still have the feel of a breast, and you will be able to keep yours tucked away.

They are a bit expensive though and near impossible to find in stores (I think it might be a new product). You have to order them online.

Answer 3

I would suggest that you discontinue breast feeding in a slow process so the baby and the mother will not have so much trouble. First stop the morning habit of the baby. Try giving bottle in the morning, then breast feed at noon. You should not stop the breast feed at night coz thats when the baby cries the most. I have 2 sons and thats how i switch to bottle feed. You will need a little patient. It will be ok in 3-4 days. Good luck!

Answer 4

I've been studying to become a lactation consultant. First, since you asked a question here, I'm going to pry a little bit. (Sorry) Why, exactly, does it have to end? The American Academy of Pediatrics advises SOLELY breastmilk for at least 6 months, and then breastmilk and solids until 12 months. And breastmilk for AS LONG after that as baby and mother desire. Your breastmilk actually changes in makeup to be the perfect nutrition your baby needs as he gets bigger. It 'grows' with her. As she gets bigger and eats more, your body will respond and make more the more she nurses. Weaning a child before they're ready can cause lingering feelings of insecurity and mistrust, as well as being seriously difficult for both mom, baby, and anyone else in the household! Now, I realize you didn't actually say you were weaning, so maybe you just want to be able to express milk into a bottle so someone else can feed her sometimes? At this point, she really may be completely unwilling to take a substitute. She associates eating and comfort and security with nursing with you, and may not settle for anything less. If you're determined to try a bottle, buy several different kinds for her to try. Sounds odd, but try and look for a nipple that is most similar to mom's shape (difficult, I know, in a world of plastic nipples, but look closely, they're all shaped differently). Try a regular and wide neck. Definitely try Dr. Brown's and Avent, both of which keep air from getting in the bottle, since she's not used to having to deal with any of that. Or, get of those Nuby (at Walmart) transitional sippers. It looks kind of like a bottle, and has both a soft and a hard spout. Here's the big drawback, though. If you'd like to continue to be able to nurse her, introducing anything else can backfire. Most babies will always prefer mom to a substitute, but sometimes, once they realize how easy it is to get milk from a bottle, they get lazy and don't want to work hard enough to drink from the breast. If you're wanting to switch to bottles (whether formula or breastmilk filled) b/c you think it's more convenient, I'd seriously think again! I dried up before I wanted to, and had to use bottles and it's a major pain in the butt when compared with nursing. To feed my son when I was nursing, all I needed was...myself! To feed my son with a bottle of formula, I needed a bottle, water, formula, a way to get it warm. And to do all of this in public without making a mess. UGH!

Try to look at it from her point of view. She's got a great thing going, getting to be close to mom, getting breastmilk, which is the easiest thing in the world for her to digest, and tastes better (and smells better, might I add) than any formula made.

Just some things to think about. Most babies will naturally wean themselves between 18-24 months.

Answer 5

I breastfed and tried to transition her onto teh bottle. She refused at first. Try to give her a bit of breast milk in teh bottle so she can realize that it can come out of that too. Then if she still doesnt want it, try to put some of your breast milkon the nipple so she can smell it and go towards it, and if that doesnt work, align the bottle beside your nipple and when she latches on to you make the switch to the bottle. My daughter got the hang of it after a while. Good luck mommy!

Answer 6

I am a nursing mom of 2 I think you should nurse for at least 6 months to a year. But if you can't do that then I highly suggest putting lemon juice on your breast or tobasco sauce. Sometimes they actually like lemon juice. Not too much hot sauce though. Try it let me know how it goes. Try putting breast milk in the sippie cup instead of a bottle. They have a great avent cup with a flat soft top. Really works. Trust me. Good luck.

Answer 7

I do both nurse and pump/ bottle feed my son. I found that what worked was to use the matching nipple to his favorite pacifier. Both my kids liked the Nuk brand. Also try having someone other than you do the bottle feeding with you no where in sight. Try to do the bottle every day until she takes it, and then keep it up often, so she does not givei t up.

Answer 8

You have to find a nipple that matches the shape of your own. That is very important. I also found that silicon nipples are softer and easier for them to take. I breastfed and supplemented both my kids for 4 1/2 months each. I was successful with Dr. Brown's bottles. Their nipples seems to work nicely from newborn to older children because they don't have to take the whole thing in until they are able to.
Best of luck.

Answer 9

It is very hard, but it can be done. I also breast feed my last two children. Buy the playtex bottles/nipples they are more like the moms.You just have to be persistant and be patient. GOOD LUCK!!!!