When should I introduce a bottle?

Question

I plan to breastfeed my baby at least a year but I would definitely like him to except a bottle at some point. I am in no rush to introduce a bottle but wondering if I wait too long he will not except it?. He is 6 weeks and 5 days old and has done an amazing job feeding since birth.. I am extremely thankful for having such a good breastfeeding baby and a good enough supply to feed him and have over 800 ounces in the freezer.

Answer

I started right away but apparently that’s controversial 🤷🏽‍♀️ there was no way in hell I wanted to be responsible for feeding my baby 100% of the time. Being able to hand my husband some pumped milk, and taking some time to myself keeps me going.

Answer

Now is a good time to start! I have been breastfeeding my daughter for 8 months now, but we also introduced a bottle around 5 weeks. My husband gives her a bottle at night as part of her bedtime routine, and she also goes to daycare once per week. We’ve never had any issues with refusing the breast/preferring the bottle. Some of the things that worked for us
1. Have someone else give the bottle. If baby is resistant, try having them wear one of your shirts, the scent can help! Have them sit baby upright and facing away from them.
2. Leave the house or go to a different floor in the beginning. Babies really can sense when the boob is near.
3. Experiment with temperature. Some babies like a cold bottle, some like it quite warm.
4. Look up “paced bottle feeding.”
5. Start with small amounts and if baby is still hungry either prepare some more breastmilk or finish the feed at the breast.
Good luck mama!

Answer

If I were you, I wouldn't even do a bottle if you plan to breastfeed til 1. If I were you, I'd introduce a 360 cup near age 9 months so that by 1, they can drink liquids from a cup.

Answer

I waited with my first and gave her a nuby sippy cup at 4-6 months . She never took a bottle

Answer

I introduced my daughter the bottle at 3 wks she’s 6wks now , she likes both boob and bottle . I wanted her to get used to the bottle so if my husband or a family member has to watch her they can feed her and she wouldn’t make such a fuss . I only give her breast milk so I have frozen breast milk in the freezer ! :)

Answer

I just wanted to say, what a beautiful picture🥰 I could never get mine to take a bottle from me personally.  I started having others try around 6 weeks with my last since I went back to work when he was around 2.5 months.  No nipple confusion for him so that was great, he still nursed exclusively when we were together ☺️

Answer

My son is 6 weeks and I haven’t introduced it yet 😫 I just really don’t want to.  After 6 weeks, it starts getting harder to introduce one though.  So if you want to have that option, I’d do it now.  I waited until 8 weeks to introduce with my second and I couldn’t get her to take ANYTHING but the breast (for liquids) until 14 months

Answer

My son was breastfed… took the bottle a few times when younger, but we didn’t do it much as I was a stay at home and with him 24/7…. Later down the road around 4 months maybe… He refused to take bottles…. Made it to soppy cups and still never touched a bottle… 
Baby #2… I will probably start pumping and bottle feeding a little so he’s not 100% reliant on me like my first! I felt like I couldn’t go anywhere for the first 10 months… 😮‍💨

Answer

I would have started right away if I had known. I didn't start till mine she was past 6 weeks and now she refuses to take 1. She'll taste the milk and maybe try to drink some. Sometimes she'll take the whole bottle. I've bought 3 types of bottle thinking it's the bottle she's refusing (Avent, Dr. Browns, and Comotomo). I've tried fresh pumped milk, heated milk from the fridge or heated milk that was thawed out from frozen. Her reaction to it from a bottle is not what she wants. I'm hoping she will take one by force or when I'm not around and she's hungry...

Answer

I did bottle and breast from the beginning. Mostly breast but he was always fine.

When should I introduce a bottle?

Let’s Glow

Glow is here for you on your path to pregnancy

25+ million

4.8 stars

20+

Getting Pregnant

Pregnancy

1st Year (Baby & You)

Baby Products