Some mothers believe that a bottle, like a pacifier, can make breastfeeding difficult and it will be problematic to transfer the baby from the bottle back to the breast. But sometimes the opposite situations arise when it is necessary to teach the baby to eat from a bottle, for example, if the mother will soon need to be absent for several hours a day. Some tips will help the baby survive this period and get used to the changes.
Instructions
Step 1
Don't insist or get angry: your baby's refusal to bottle-feed isn't bad behavior or attention-getting. He just doesn't like the new way of feeding. The shape of the nipple may resemble a nipple, but this is not enough. From birth, your baby gets used to being close to you while nursing, and no bottle can replace the sensations he feels while at your breast.
Step 2
To help your baby learn to bottle feed, separate the two processes - breastfeeding and nipple feeding. For example, breastfeed while lying on the couch, and sit in a chair to bottle feed. Take your baby so that he can see you. While feeding, hug him, talk, and then bottle food will also give you an opportunity for emotional communication.
Step 3
Typically, the transition period from breastfeeding to bottle feeding is 1–2 days, but some babies may take several weeks. In order for the innovation process to be successful, the child must be in a good mood. Don't offer him a bottle after or before bed. Better do it during the day. Do not wait until he gets hungry, hoping that he will start eating from a bottle with pleasure. Perhaps you will get a backlash - the baby will be capricious and will not appreciate the new way of feeding at all.
Step 4
If you offered the baby a bottle, and he flatly refused, try to distract him - pick it up, scamper around the room, then try again. If it still doesn't work out, wait a few minutes and give him a breast. Do not be discouraged, this behavior of the baby is absolutely normal. Try again the next time you feed. The new way of feeding will be more successful if the father or grandmother of the child takes over.
Step 5
If your baby is less than 6 months old and eats only milk, you can use a spoon or cup instead of a bottle. Of course, these feeding methods are more complicated and must be done very carefully.
Step 6
After 6-7 months, when the baby's diet becomes more and more varied, you can do without a bottle altogether, and feed him with a spoon, and give milk from a drinking cup or a bottle with a wide tube instead of a nipple.
