Unlocking Bottle Success: Trust, Patience, and Expert Guidance
Just because your baby aced the bottle in their early weeks, doesn't mean it's a guarantee for life. Introducing bottles takes time, trust, and a relaxed environment.
In fact, I recommend the mother (or default parent) as the main person to try, creating a safe and trusting space for your little one during the process.
It’s important to give yourself time when thinking about introducing a bottle to your baby as a sense of pressure and stress can make refusal more intense.
To support their sucking skills, introduce a dummy and let them explore the bottle teat as a playful experience. You can also try;
- Dip dummy in breastmilk or formula to build a positive association
- Start with small amounts after or during a breastfeed, gradually increasing
- Trying to introduce the bottle at different times of the day may also be helpful - generally avoiding when your baby is tired or hungry is best
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Keep an open mind, experiment with different times and stages of the day for bottle feeding. Remember, if tension arises or your baby shows resistance, back off and maintain a positive and curious atmosphere. It is better to stop altogether and try again another time.
If you need guidance or troubleshooting with introducing a bottle to your breastfed baby, reach out to a local IBCLC Lactation Consultant for expert support, as navigating bottle feeding and bottle refusal can be really stressful.
Joelleen Winduss Paye, IBCLC Lactation Consultant, Midwife & Naturopath
JWP Holistic Lactation Consultant
www.jwp.care @jwp.ibclc
Baby refusing bottle?