Getting Your Baby To Use The Feeding Bottle

 

For various reasons, you may need your baby to take a bottle. It may be just for a few hours

(like when you need to step out or for those exhausted mommy nights) or as a more permanent

way of drinking formula or breastmilk. Some babies are comfortable and can latch on to the feeding

bottle nipple instinctively. Some babies, especially those who have been exclusively breastfed till

then, have a tough time feeding from the bottle. There are some babies who absolutely refuse to

even try out the bottle even when they are hungry which makes them cranky and the

parent / caregiver very frustrated. 

There are some tried and tested ways of getting the baby to take the bottle. They may not all work

for your baby since each baby is different - and yes, they can be very stubborn customers! At least

some of the tips given below coupled with tons of patience should be able to help your baby.

• Time it right!
  Hungry babies are more likely to be cranky if you try to introduce a new method of feeding and

  will probably offer resistance even if it means going hungry. A good time may be when the baby

  is just waking up from a good sleep or in between two nursing sessions. 

• A little at a time
  Offer small quantities of bottle feed when you are introducing the bottle. Let the baby get used to

  the routine before increasing the feed size. This will also ensure that milk does nto get wasted or

  spoil sitting in the bottle. 

• Never force the nipple into the baby’s mouth
  Babies are tough cookies and trying to force the nipple into the baby’s mouth will only result in

  stubborn pursing of lips. Gently coax the mouth open by touching the nipple to the baby’s mouth

  in a way that mimics breastfeeding.

• Don't make it too easy!
  When breastfeeding, the baby has to work its jaw and tongue to suck in the milk. With the feeding

  bottle, if the milk gushes into the baby’s mouth too quickly, it can be confusing for the baby. Use a

  slow-flow nipple and hold the feeding bottle parallel (and not tilted upwards) when feeding so that

  the baby has to work to pull the milk out. 

• Try asking someone else to offer the bottle
  Babies tend to associate their mothers with breastfeeding so some moms have found success

  with bottle feeding when they step away and the father or caregiver offers the bottle instead. 

• Stay alert for feeding cues
  If the baby gives you cues like turning his / her head away from the bottle or playing or acting

  disinterested, it probably means that the baby is full.  Do not force him / her to finish the bottle

  if the baby shows any of these signs. If you think the baby hasn't had enough milk, you could

  try offering it again in a little while.
  
  

After years of in-depth study of babies’ sucking science, PIGEON has designed SofTouch™ Peristaltic

PLUS Nipple to help initiate a tongue and jaw movement that is natural and comfortable for babies. The

Peristaltic Nipple has an Air Ventilation System (AVS™) that ensures that the baby does not suck in air

bubbles along with the milk. The feeding bottles are designed so that they are easy for the babies to

hold on their own and comfortable for the parents to feed from. 

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