When should I introduce a bottle to my breastfed baby?
Waiting to offer a bottle is essential for initiation of lactation. Experts tell us that we should wait at least 3-4 weeks. I believe it should be at least four weeks because even a bottle of breastmilk can interfere with stimulation during the three week growth spurt period. It can undermine moms confidence when baby gulps a bottle down during the hunger games of growth spurts. When you offer a bottle of expressed milk, it is essential to pump to replace that feeding or it can interfere with milk supply or cause plugged milk ducts.
Most moms begin a bottle because they want the freedom of allowing someone else to feed or out of necessity because they are going back to work. If you choose to nap and let Dad feed make sure to fully empty the breasts by nursing first. If a bottle has been given while you were asleep or running errands, pump when you return even if you have nursed immediately when you came through the door. Anytime a bottle was given, baby will not be as hungry and therefore not empty the breast as well and residual milk can cause clogs especially in the early weeks of breastfeeding.
If you are not going back to work or want someone else to feed, a bottle is not an absolute. You may wait longer if you wish, but some moms who wait longer than 8 weeks find it difficult to coax their baby into taking a bottle. So if you are going back to work, the best window may be 4-8 weeks. If you are not going back to work, but find yourself in an emergency situation that you have to be away from your baby, the baby will normally take a bottle from another person if you are gone very long. If you are not gone more than 3-4 hours, the baby may also wait for you. In any case, it is important to have stored up at least 24-48 hours worth of breastmilk in the freezer. Here is a breast milk intake chart to help you determine how much you need based weight.
Store milk in 2-4 oz increments. This makes it easy to defrost and access just the right amount without waste. You may store breast milk in sealed bottles or breast milk bags. Bags have been the preferred method for most moms due to the quicker defrost time and space saving size. They are more costlly in the long run so bottles may be more cost effective and better for the environment, but today inexpensive biodegradable breast milk storage bags are available.
Most moms begin a bottle because they want the freedom of allowing someone else to feed or out of necessity because they are going back to work. If you choose to nap and let Dad feed make sure to fully empty the breasts by nursing first. If a bottle has been given while you were asleep or running errands, pump when you return even if you have nursed immediately when you came through the door. Anytime a bottle was given, baby will not be as hungry and therefore not empty the breast as well and residual milk can cause clogs especially in the early weeks of breastfeeding.
If you are not going back to work or want someone else to feed, a bottle is not an absolute. You may wait longer if you wish, but some moms who wait longer than 8 weeks find it difficult to coax their baby into taking a bottle. So if you are going back to work, the best window may be 4-8 weeks. If you are not going back to work, but find yourself in an emergency situation that you have to be away from your baby, the baby will normally take a bottle from another person if you are gone very long. If you are not gone more than 3-4 hours, the baby may also wait for you. In any case, it is important to have stored up at least 24-48 hours worth of breastmilk in the freezer. Here is a breast milk intake chart to help you determine how much you need based weight.
What to do if you baby refuses a bottle?
First of all, don't panic. Almost all babies will eventually take the bottle. Here are some tips to help you get things going:
1. Start with a soothing environment such as in a favorite rocking chair and you could even put on some music or white noise.
2. Use a silicone wide mouth nipple so that the nipple itself does not have a taste.
3. Squeeze a few drops out of the bottle nipple so that the baby can smell and taste immediately.
3. Let someone other than mom initiate bottle feeding.
5. Place the baby in a breastfeeding position which is tummy to tummy with the caregiver and hold the base of the bottle close to your collar bone.
6. If the baby just takes the tip of the nipple, gently screw it in like a lightbulb to get their lips flanged.
7. Often the best time to try bottle feeding on a reluctant infant is when they are already falling asleep or not yet fully awake from a nap.
8. If you are still having trouble, try walking while feeding.
Happy Feeding!
Tanya
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