What’s the right time to introduce a bottle and how do you know if you’re picking the “right one” for your baby? We’ve got answers from our LC, Brie.

Introducing a bottle to a breastfed baby can be easier said than done — and come with quite a few questions (and a good deal of anxiety, too).

What’s the deal with bottle refusal? How long will it take baby to adjust? Are some bottles *actually* better if your baby has been breastfeeding? Is the right time to do it when they’re really hungry or vice versa? Can a bottle-fed baby drink too much milk? Do you need to do “paced feeding” — and what is that, anyway? And on and on and on… 

Read on for tips from IBLC Brie — a member of the amazing team at our partner SimpliFed — and get ready to bottle feed with confidence. You’ve got this! 

Picking a Bottle

Q: What’s the biggest “myth” about baby bottles?
A: The idea that you need to pick a bottle that’s “just like the breast.” If bottles were just like breasts, this transition wouldn’t be so tricky! It’s nearly impossible to mimic the flow, feel, and expansion of nipple and breast tissue when the breast is encompassed by your baby’s mouth. That’s okay!

Q: What’s the most important thing to look for in a bottle? 
A: First and foremost, you want to make sure that the bottle is free of BPA (the chemical found in certain plastics). After that, look for a nipple that has a wider base and gradual slope — this can help emulate the process of latching at the breast. 

Q: What bottle “shape” is best? 
A: The most important thing is that the bottle is ergonomically shaped and comfortable for you to hold. Don’t let marketing tell you that the bottle has to be round or made of soft silicone — we love many bottles that look and feel like that, but they’re not the only good options! 

Q: What is an “anti-colic” bottle and do I need one? 
A: Anti-colic bottles are designed with vents that pull air to the bottom of the bottle, and ideally, reduce gassiness and discomfort. There is no harm in trying one — but remember, there’s no magic wand when it comes to bottle feeding. You’ll likely just need to experiment! 

Introducing a Bottle

Q: Why do some babies refuse bottles? 
A: There are so many reasons that this can happen! The milk may be too cold, they may be uncomfortable in the position they’re being held in, they may not like the feeling of the nipple… the list goes on. Just know that it’s so common — you’re not doing anything wrong.

 

Q: When is the right time to introduce a bottle? 
A: Ideally you’ll want to wait until you’ve established a breastfeeding routine around 3-4 weeks. This way, you’re not adding any additional stress, or a new learning curve, to an already challenging time! Note that we said “ideally” – we know that life happens, and you may need to get started with bottles sooner. That is okay! 

Q: Should I introduce the bottle at a certain time of day? 
A: The  most important thing is that you don’t wait until your baby is too hungry — that can make the transition more difficult. Aim to do it at the first sign of hunger cues! Remember that you can always start at the breast, then introduce the bottle in the middle of a feeding!

Setting Yourself Up for a Successful Transition 

Q: How much time should I give my baby to transition? 
A: You’ll want to give your baby at least two weeks — we know, it sounds like a lot! — to get the hang of bottle-feeding. That means introducing a bottle two weeks before you plan to be away from your baby for extended periods of time. Don’t wait until the day before you go back to work! 

Q: What else should I focus on? 
A: Focus on latch! Latching isn’t just a thing when you’re baby’s feeding from your breast — their lips should be flanged out closer to the collar of the bottle than the tip of the nipple. (In other words: they shouldn’t look like they are sucking on a straw!)

 

Have more questions about introducing a bottle or how to pick the right one for your baby? 

Follow us @willowpump on Instagram for more guidance from our LCs and keep an eye out for more from our “Ask an LC” series.