Bottle feeding Your Breastfed Baby
Some families may want the option of offering a bottle to their baby from time to time. At Nourish, we provide feeding support to families in the most non-judgemental way possible. Every mother’s feeding journey may look different and change along the way. There is much discussion about nipple confusion and what kind of bottle is best to use when. The tips below should answer your questions and provide some helpful information and suggestions
The way your baby bottle feeds is very different from the way he breastfeeds
Your baby’s jaw and tongue muscles are used in different ways for both modes of feeding
Some babies take longer to ‘get organized’ with their suck when a bottle is being introduced
Be patient and consistent. Try to offer the bottle at least one time/day at the same time each day
When choosing a bottle system, ensure that it’s a true slow flow system
There are many bottle brands advertised as ‘slow flow’ but in reality there is a wide range in flow rates
These are the brands of bottles Nourish recommends for bottle feeding:
Dr Brown’s (preemie, newborn, or level 1 nipple) Playtex Ventaire, and ComoTomo Slow Flow
When introducing a bottle, try to wait at least 4-6 weeks to ensure breastfeeding is well established
If you wait past 4-6 weeks to introduce a bottle, your baby may refuse to take it altogether
There is no such thing as nipple confusion-babies become flow preferred. That’s why it’s important to use a reliable slow flow bottle system
You want to ensure your milk supply is ample before offering a bottle. If you struggle with low milk supply, offering a bottle may lead to further breastfeeding challenges. This relates back to the ‘flow preference’ issue.
Have your partner or another support person be the feeder. Your baby is less likely to take the bottle from the mama
Ensure your baby is in an elevated side-lying position when bottle feeding. This means your baby is positioned on his side with his head and shoulders higher than his hips. Similar to how he would be positioned at the breast
You may need to swaddle your baby with their hands at midline to help calm
Touch the bottle nipple to the baby's top lip to have him invite the nipple into his mouth. You want him to bring his tongue down and forward or open his mouth before offering him the nipple
Do not ever force or shove the nipple into his mouth
Once he takes the nipple into his mouth, make sure to hold the bottle straight or parallel
Do not tip it up. You want the nipple to be half filled with milk so he has to suck strongly to pull the milk in
If your baby is drinking very quickly without pause for breath, tip the nipple down (but leave it touching his top lip) in order for him to ‘pace himself’ and catch his breath
Once he’s had a few seconds to catch his breath, return the nipple to his mouth and let him begin drinking again
You want him to begin self-pacing. This means that he will take a burst of sucks and swallows and then pause on his own for breath
Burp a few times throughout the feed and again when your baby is done the bottle
If your baby stops drinking and appears to be full, do not jiggle, or wiggle, the bottle in your baby’s mouth
Be respectful of baby’s feeding cues. If he refuses the bottle or turns his head, or thrusts the nipple out with his tongue, he’s probably finished.
Nourish offers in home bottle feeding support sessions 7 days per week with Leanne Rzepa RN BN IBCLC. Leanne has worked closely with occupational therapists and speech language pathologists who have taught her many important skills when it comes to bottle feeding babies safely! Book your consult today through our website.