Breastfeeding

Introducing a bottle

Hi! This is my first post on this board. I'm a FTM and my son is 4 weeks old. I've been EBF and I'm a SAHM but I want to introduce a bottle so that my husband can feed him sometimes or so my mom can watch him while we go to a movie or something later on.

Yesterday we tried his first bottle feeding and it didn't go well. First we tried a Tommee Tippee bottle and the flow was too fast. The milk was running out his mouth and he would choke. Next we tried one of the Medela bottles that came with my pump and again the flow was too fast. Finally we tried Dr. Brown's at his next feeding and the flow seemed to be ok because it didn't run out of his mouth and no choking. But he still cried the whole time and I felt so bad. By the time we tried the Dr. Brown's bottle we only had 1 oz of milk left so after he finished it I nursed him and he immediately calmed down. I was just wondering how long it takes them to get used to the bottle and will we just have to go through more tearfilled feedings until he gets used to it? Or am I doing something wrong?

I had let the milk thaw in the fridge so I gave it to him straight out the fridge. I read that some babies take it that way. Maybe I should have warmed it but I thought it would be convenient to get him used to refrigerated milk. Now I feel bad...
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Re: Introducing a bottle

  • Some LO are very particular on the type of bottle and the temperature of the milk.  Make sure you are using the slowest flow nipple possible, preemie nipple if you can.  That will help with the flow issue.
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  • imageandertrr:
    My little guy gets pissed at cold milk, so that's a possible solution. I also noticed that his position has to be just right when taking a bottle. He gets super fussy when he's looking straight up lying on his back. My husband tries to mimic his position he's in while bf so its tummy to tummy, taking the bottle from the side. We use Dr Brown bottles as well and haven't tried any others.

    I did have him lying on his back, so thanks for the tip! I will try laying him on his side next time. If he still fusses I'll warm up the milk and try that.

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  • imagealie78_80:
    Some LO are very particular on the type of bottle and the temperature of the milk.  Make sure you are using the slowest flow nipple possible, preemie nipple if you can.  That will help with the flow issue.

    I have the level 1 nipples for the Dr. Brown bottles, but I just looked around online and found out that they make a preemie level also. I may try that if changing his position and the temperature of the milk doesn't work. Thanks for the ideas ladies!

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  • The Tommee Tippee bottles were way too fast for us too and we had a similar experience with our first bottle. We has better luck with our First Years Breastflow bottles, and I just ordered some Dr Browns with preemie nipples to try next.
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  • My son prefers his bottle warm. We also use dr browns bottles which is the only one out of many we havd had success with. He will only eat for dh if hes facing away from him kind of snuggled in the crook of his arm. Keep trying good luck!
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  • 1) Your son should be vertical when drinking from a bottle.  Not on his side, not on his back.  The bottle should be horizontal.  This will help with the flow of milk, but also prevent ear infections. 

    2) I would leave while your husband gives the bottle.  Infants don't have great eyesight, but they have fantastic smell.  Instinctually, they know your scent from the womb and can smell you as their food source.  If you're right there, he knows that what's in his mouth isn't you and he knows you're there.  So it becomes more about the fact that he wants you, knows you're there, and you won't give him what he wants. (almost like you're rubbing it in his face that you're not going to feed him) If you're gone, it is far more likely he'll be content with a bottle.

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  • Try taking the bottle out of the fridge an hour or so before you use it so it will be room temp for the feeding. Let dad give the bottle while you are in a different room. Make it comforting... If you swaddle, try swaddling baby and also play white noise. Be sure to stop and burp frequently. If you want a still slower flow, Dr. Brown's makes a preemie nipple that you can buy at BRU. You can also try feeding outside if it's nice.

    But honestly, some babies just don't like bottles. My EBF baby has been taking bottles a few times a week since he was two weeks old and still doesn't like it. I returned to work a couple weeks ago, and he still fusses and cries 75 of the time when he takes bottles. I hate it, but there's nothing I can do except nurse when we're together.

    If you're dedicates to using the bottle, keep trying a few times a week. Don't be afraid to step out of the room when baby is crying and let dad figure it out.
    Amanda

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