Introducing expressed milk in bottle

[callycrum]

My 2 1/2 month yr old refuses to take the bottle. Is there anything you can suggest which will help him to get use to it. Am just wanting to bottle feed him on the odd occasion.

Thanks

Caroline

[the pero clinic]

Dear Callycrum,

It is not unusual for typically breastfed bubs to refuse a bottle. It can also be difficult for a bub to become used to bottle feeding if it is offered only occasionally. For a start, if you would like to persist with trying the bottle, it can be easier for someone other than mum to try bottle feeding baby. Your bub will have very strong associations with you and breastfeeding (including your smell) and will find the feeding change quite confusing.

A change in teat may also assist in your bub’s transition, but may also not make any difference. It is very easy to get into the trap of buying and trying multiple teats, but I am unable to recommend specific teats for bubs through the forum – without seeing the baby.

Another alternative may be cup drinking – from a very small cup. I would strongly recommend, however, that you talk to your CHN or a paediatric feeding specialist first, so that they can demonstrated the most appropriate way to help your bub cup feed.

Finally, it may just take some more time and exposure for your baby to get used to cup drinking. Offering EBM instead of formula, as you are doing now, will make things a bit easier and will be better for your bub.

the pero clinic