There’s No Perfect Bottle for Your Baby

Have you been searching for the perfect bottle for your baby?

Some babies take right to bottle feeding with no problems.

Some babies have a bit harder of a time with bottle feeding. Marketing and commerce have convinced us that there is a perfect bottle out there and if we only spend $653 trying all 42 of them we’ll magically solve our bottle feeding issues.

As lactation counselors and postpartum doulas, our experience is very different. Here are some of our tips!

1. Introduce a bottle around 4-6 weeks, even if you plan to exclusively feed at the breast. Continue to do a bottle feed every so often to keep your baby’s comfort level.
2. Don’t hold the baby in the same position that the breastfeeding mother uses.
3. Try not to wait until baby is starving to try something new.
4. Don’t force or rush the baby. Caregiver doing the bottle feed should be very patient. It may help to have breastfeeding mother no where nearby.
5. If baby is very resistant, even more patience is needed. Start holding bottle in front of baby. Let her hold and touch the bottle. Eventually move bottle near baby’s mouth but don’t put bottle nipple in her mouth yet or until she opens (no forcing!). Stroke her nose and philtrum with the nipple. Wait for a gape (like breastfeeding!) Let her latch onto the bottle like latching onto the breast.
6. Once latched, use paced feeding.
7. Leaking milk from lips is not usually normal.
8. Enlist the help of a lactation professional or speak with your postpartum doula for more help!

For information on all things feeding, be sure to check out Your Complete Guide to Feeding Your Baby.