Your baby is breastfeeding like a champ!  But when you introduce a bottle they won’t take it.  (babies can be VERY opinionated about where their milk comes from.) 

Don’t panic because it is a problem that can be SOLVED! 

Here are some tips and tricks that can help your breastfed baby to accept a bottle after they refused one.

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How To Get Baby To Take The Bottle Quickly

Ideally try to introduce a bottle around 4 weeks postpartum.  This is a time frame seen by most lactation experts as a golden window of opportunity for success. 

This way your baby will avoid nipple confusion and it won’t interfere with breastfeeding. 

But no matter how old your baby is at this point, please know that most babies will take a bottle with patience, persistence and a few tricks up your sleeve. 

Every baby is different. 

It may take a magic combination of variables to convince your baby to take a bottle so the key is to keep trying different things and if one thing doesn’t work, try another. 

What works for one baby may not work for another so, again, it takes patience and persistence.

Here are a few things you can change up to see what works for your baby…

1. Vary The Scene

A strong association between the spot where you usually breastfeed can work either for you or against you when introducing a bottle. 

Some babies prefer to take a bottle in a place that they’ve NEVER associated with breastfeeding while others prefer the same exact environment.  

• Try different rooms

• Go outside

• Try the car seat

• A bath 

• A bouncy seat/glider

• Any place that’s different 

Sometimes lowering the lights with relaxing music or a sound machine will do the trick.  Get creative!

2. Experiment With Different Positions 

Some babies may only take a bottle in a breastfeeding-like position, while others may prefer to do the total opposite, sitting upright, facing outward. 

Change things up to see what your baby prefers for bottle feeding. 

You could also try to incorporate movement.  Some babies will take the bottle more readily if you move rhythmically while walking, swaying, or rocking to distract them. 

The goal here  is to ALSO get creative with positioning and movement and see what works best for your particular baby.

3. Try Out Different Bottles

Try with a bottle that has a wide base that gradually tapers down to the nipple.  The best bottles require the baby to keep his mouth open wide while sucking, just like they do during breastfeeding. 

The bottle we see moms have the most success with when their baby refuses a bottle is THIS one.

See if any of your mom friends have extra bottles you could borrow, sterilize and experiment with so you don’t have to spend a fortune buying bottles that your baby won’t take.

4. Change Who Offers The Bottle

Switch who offers the bottle to see if your baby has a problem with you offering the bottle. 

Some babies won’t accept a bottle from you because they associate you too much with breastfeeding.  (sometimes you can’t even be in the same room!)  

On the other end of the spectrum, other babies decide that ONLY mom can feed them and they don’t care how, whether it be breastfeeding or bottle feeding.   

5. Play With The Bottle Temperature

Some babies are just particular about their milk temperature. 

First aim for body temperature and then adjust up and down and see if it makes a difference.  Some babies prefer milk at higher or colder temps.

6. Try Different Nipple Flows

A slow flow nipple is usually recommended for breastfed babies because it most closely mimics the output of breastfeeding. 

However, if you have a strong let down you may want to experiment with different nipple flows.  Your baby may accept a bottle better if the flow is faster.   

Extra Tips + Tricks If Your Breastfed Baby Refuses A Bottle

• Offer the bottle for no more than 10 minutes at a time. If your baby still won’t take a bottle and is becoming more upset, it’s best to back off and try again later. 

• Introduce the nipple of the bottle- yep, on its own!  This can help baby learn the sensation of a bottle nipple and explore without milk pouring down their throat.  Now put some breast milk on it!   Dip the bottle nipple (yep, still by itself!) in breast milk and then offer it to baby. The familiar smell and taste of breast milk may make them more likely to accept the nipple.

• Use a pacifier. If your baby seems bothered by the feeling of a bottle, a pacifier may help get them used to having something different than a breast being in their milk.

• Use the distraction technique.  Try to distract the baby with something else as someone offers the bottle.

• Get them used to the bottle.  Let your baby play with the bottle between feedings so they get used to the feeling and look of it.

• Offer the bottle when they’re not hangry.  Try to time giving your baby a bottle before they get too hungry.  New experiences are usually easier to handle when baby is well- rested, not starving, and not anxious.

• Try the bait and switch technique.  Try breastfeeding first and then quickly slip the bottle in.

• Introduce when drowsy.  Try offering the bottle when they’re sleepy, already asleep, or just waking up.  Many babies will instinctively suckle at these times.

• Comfort them with reminders of you. Have a piece of your clothing near the baby while someone else offers the bottle, or wrap the bottle with an article of your clothing.

• Try giving them fresh milk instead of frozen.  There’s a possibility the milk you’re giving your baby doesn’t taste quite right to them.  Some babies don’t like milk that’s been previously frozen.  Try pumping fresh milk and offering it to your baby immediately. 

• Check for high lipase. High lipase level can affect the taste of frozen milk.  If your frozen breast milk has a rancid smell when thawed, you likely have high lipase.  The way to deal with it is to scald the milk before freezing it.

IF NONE OF THE ABOVE WORKS? 

DON’T WORRY! THERE ARE STILL SOME OPTIONS…

Ask An Expert 

Speech pathologists, occupational therapists, IBCLCs (International Board Certified Lactation Consultants) and even your baby’s pediatrician provider can help.  They can assess if there’s any medical reasons why your baby is not taking a bottle properly.

Try Thinking Outside The Box (Bottle!)

Spoon, cup, medicine dropper, syringe, finger feeder, are all options depending on how old your baby is.  

FOR BABIES UNDER 4 MONTHS

You could use a spoon or a cup, syringe, or a finger feeder

FOR BABIES OVER 4 MONTHS

For babies older than 4 months old there really is no need to introduce bottle if they’re not accepting it. 

Babies can generally handle a cup just fine but expect to help out in the beginning.  You can introduce sippy cups or even sports bottles. The EZPZ cup is a great choice. 

FOR BABIES OVER 6 MONTHS

Mix their solid food with lots of extra breast milk.

FOR BABIES OVER 9 MONTHS

Try teaching baby to use a cup with a straw and to drink out of a straw!

Plug one side of a straw with your thumb to pick up a bit of milk and drop it in their mouth to show them they can get milk out that way. They’ll gradually learn to suck on it as you practice!

Try Reverse Cycling

If your baby REALLY prefers the breast, many babies will even reverse cycle. This is when the baby will only take small amounts of milk while away from mom and then make up for it once she returns with more frequent nursing.

This is perfectly fine for the baby as they’ll still take in the same number of calories in a 24-hour period.  

You’ll know baby is still getting enough if they’re still having enough wet and dirty diapers each day and if their weight gain stays on track.

JUST KEEP TRYING 

Try EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. 

More likely than not, one day, your baby will surprise you and will suck away as if they’ve been doing it forever.  

Remember, this stage won’t last forever!   

As Marie Forleo says, “Everything is figureoutable.”

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