Help your baby get used to bottle feeding

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with resident Doctor Ho Thi Hong Tho - Neonatologist - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital.
Bottle feeding is sometimes very simple for some babies, but for others it is quite the opposite, they may refuse bottle feeding altogether. However, your baby cannot breastfeed forever because you still have to go to work after the break. This article will introduce a few guidelines to make the transition from breast to bottle go smoothly for your baby.

1. What is the best way to bottle feed your baby?

Most experts recommend waiting until your baby is at least a month old and fully breastfed before introducing a bottle. If you have to return to work after maternity leave, start bottle-feeding your baby for at least 2 weeks to give both you and your baby enough time to adjust. Pumping from a bottle requires different mouth and tongue movements than breastfeeding. So it may take some time for your baby to get used to this change. Try these tips for a smooth transition from breast to bottle:
Give your baby a bottle at night after breastfeeding as usual to get them used to the nipple. Start with a small amount of breast milk, about 15ml. Try paced feeding and mimic the way your baby breastfeeds. Use a slow-flow nipple and keep the bottle horizontal. While your baby feeds, give her frequent pauses and switch sides just as she would when nursing. Note that you should stop breastfeeding when your baby shows signs of fullness. Ask someone else to bottle feed your baby for the first time. Because if you try to bottle feed your baby for the first time, your baby may wonder why he won't breastfeed. Having someone else bottle-feed will make your baby less confused. While bottle-feeding your baby, you should try to get out of the house because your baby can smell you and he can know that you're in the room. Your baby may not feed as much while you are away and may start waking up more often at night if you are away from him all day. Don't be surprised if this happens, and just take advantage of the quiet and intimate times and your connection with your baby will go on as usual.

2. What to do if the baby refuses to take the bottle?

Some bottle-fed babies don't fuss much, but others have trouble making the transition from breast-feeding to bottle-feeding. If your baby refuses to take a bottle, try these techniques:
Use the same nipple as the mother's nipple. Use a pacifier instead of silicone. Warm the nipple with water for a more appealing sensation. Put some breast milk on the nipple. Once your baby has tasted it, he or she may begin to suckle more. Do not use honey, as honey can be toxic to infants under 12 months of age. Let your baby play with the nipple so that the baby can familiarize himself with the nipple. If your baby just chews on the nipple then let him chew as that's a sign he might start sucking on it soon. Hold your baby in a different position by placing him in an infant car seat or car seat with him or her on his back, then bottle-feed him while facing him. Or you can feed your baby with his or her back towards your chest. Once your baby is used to bottle feeding, you can hold him as you normally would. Try different temperatures: It's possible that your baby will prefer the milk a little warmer or colder. Experiment with different temperatures to see what your baby likes better. You can also see if there is a difference between giving your baby raw milk or frozen breast milk. Bottle-feeding at different times of the day: If your baby refuses to bottle-feed during the day, try bottle-feeding at night or vice versa. Your baby's dad can also bottle feed him by wearing his mother's bathrobe and tucking the bottle under his arm while holding his baby in a nursing position. That can work with bottle-feeding.

3. What happens when a child resists bottle feeding?

Your baby needs time to get used to new sensations, so get her used to and attached to nipples, bottles, and feeding techniques for a while before trying something new. Constantly changing positions or switching nipples can be confusing and uncomfortable for babies.
Make sure you give your baby enough time to bottle feed. If your baby starts to cry and pushes the bottle away, comfort him and then try again. If you've tried bottle feeding and your baby has refused three times, then stop. Wait at least 5 minutes before giving it to your baby again. That way the child won't associate the refusal of the bottle with immediate gratification. Give your baby a bottle after an hour or two, when he's alert and receptive, but don't wait until he's too hungry to feed.

4. What to do when your baby is taking a bottle easily, but suddenly wants to go back to breastfeeding?

Initial success is by no means a guarantee that your baby will always be bottle-fed. Many bottle-fed babies suddenly decide to refuse simply to prefer breast-feeding and no longer want to bottle-feed. But don't worry because for most babies, this is just a short development step. If your baby suddenly refuses to take a bottle, talk to your pediatrician to rule out a medical reason for your baby's refusal to take a bottle, and then try bottle-feeding another time.

5. How about teaching your baby to drink from a cup?

In some countries, infants who cannot breastfeed are taught how to use a cup while traveling. This method has some advantages that there's no chance of nipple confusion and you won't have to lift the bottle while your baby feeds. You will also never have to put milk in a bottle.
Of course, getting your baby to drink from a cup takes time. Unless you're using a sippy cup or a cup with a built-in straw. Often daycares may not be able to accommodate this approach.
Many of the principles of cup-feeding are the same as for bottle-feeding. Introduce your baby to cups at an early age (but wait until they're proficient at breastfeeding) and introduce them gradually, once a day. If you go back to work, start introducing your baby a few weeks before so that he has time to get used to this new method of eating.

6. What to do when the baby absolutely refuses to take the bottle?

When the baby completely refuses to take the bottle, many mothers blame themselves and think that if only they had given the baby a bottle sooner, this would not have happened. However, this is not true because some babies never take a bottle. Some people think you should get to a time when your baby is really hungry and when mom isn't home, the baby will eventually take a bottle. This is not entirely true and forcing your baby to lie down without eating is not a good idea. Don't make mealtime a battleground for your baby
If all attempts at bottle-feeding fail, try cup-feeding. Hold the baby upright in one arm and bring the cup to his mouth, tilting it slightly until a little milk flows into his mouth. You can also use a medicine spoon with a hollow handle to do the same thing. If you've decided to wean your baby or just breastfeed him before and after work, it's entirely possible that you've been breastfeeding your baby for weeks or months before. Just make sure your baby gets the same amount of physical and emotional care and nourishment during bottle-feeding as when breast-feeding.

For children to be healthy and develop well, it is necessary to have a nutritious diet in terms of quantity and quality balance. If children are not provided with adequate and balanced nutrients, it will lead to diseases of excess or lack of nutrients, which adversely affect the comprehensive development of children in terms of physical, mental and motor skills.
Parents should supplement their children with supportive products containing lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, and B vitamins to help fully meet their child's nutritional needs. At the same time, these essential vitamins also support digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, help improve anorexia, and help children eat well.
Parents can learn more:
Signs of zinc deficiency in children
Micronutrient deficiency and failure to gain weight in children
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Reference source: babycenter.com