Are you a new mother that is transitioning from breastfeeding to formula? But your breastfed baby won’t take formula? If so, you are not alone. Many mothers run into this problem and it can be a very frustrating situation. While breastfeeding is best, sometimes it’s just not practical or possible. So if you are struggling to get your baby to take formula, you have come to the right place.
Today, we are going to learn some tips that will help get your baby to drink from a bottle.
*Before sharing with you the first tip, I would mention that there is Some links in this page can take you to Amazon.com, where you can see prices, customer reviews, product specs, etc
So, let’s jump right into it!
Slowly Introduce the Bottle
If possible slowly introduce your little one to the bottle. A great way to do this is to offer your baby the bottle in the evening after his regular feeding. This will get him or her used to the nipple and the idea of drinking from a bottle. Start with a small amount of breast milk in the bottle, and once they are used to the bottle, switch to formula.
Try Using a Spoon
While this might seem strange, a great way to get your baby to transition to formula is to give them a little taste of it with a spoon. When your breastfed baby won’t take formula, most mothers will try anything. Use this soft spoon and be careful not to force the milk into the mouth. Instead, let your baby lap up the milk on their own. Once this has been achieved, you can then move on to trying a bottle.
You can read : Spoon-feeding – How to proceed or you can see the video below, a mother train her daughter to eat milk by spoon when she was 4 months old.
Use a New Medicine Dropper
Another way that many struggling mothers get their little ones to learn to take formula is by using a medicine dropper. This simple technic will teach the child that milk can come from another source other than the breast. Try to introduce the dropper method once a day for a week before attempting to transition to a bottle. This will give you a solid foundation to grow on.
The video below is a good exemple for this method that you can use to give Baby medicine without Spilling a drop too.
Invest in High-Quality Nipples
When shopping around for bottles, make sure to invest in high-quality nipples that are geared towards your child’s age. If your child is a newborn, buy nipples that are designed for slow-flow. This will release formula slowly and help prevent choking. Also, try to choose nipples that are more like a woman’s breast. This will allow your baby to be more comfortable while learning how to take formula from a bottle.
You can find here the Avent nipples that are geared towards your child’s age.
Let Someone Else Try
Some pediatricians suggest letting someone else try to give your baby the bottle. While they are not sure why this method works, it’s worth trying. To conduct this experiment with your baby, make sure to leave the room while your partner or other family member give the bottle. Many fathers have actually found more success in bottle feeding when the mother is not around. This might pull on your heartstrings a little but if it works, then why not give it a shot?
Sweeten Up the Deal
Some mothers have found that adding a bit of sugar or strawberry mixed in with the formula will entice the baby to drink. While you don’t want to overdo it, this method just might help you keep your sanity. But before sweetening up your child’s formula, make sure to consult with your pediatrician first. If they approve, then go for it!
Skip the bottle
If you are having the worst time getting your baby to take a bottle, why not try a cup? While this method is not for everyone, it just might help teach your child to love the formula. Some moms have had success getting their babies to drink formula from a cup using a straw. Additionally, you might want to try putting the formula in a soft sippy cup.
Ask for Help
Remember that it takes a village to raise a child. With that said, if your breastfed baby won’t take formula, then why not ask for some advice? Seek out help from those around you including family and friends. Many mothers that have been in your same shoes before will be able to give you some really helpful advice.
Your Breastfed Baby Won’t Take Formula, Don’t Give up
When you are at your wit’s end, remember that success can be just around the corner. Being persistent will always pay off and that feeling you will get knowing your baby is getting the milk they need is priceless.
