CONTENTS :
- 1. Encourage baby to take the bottle with cuddles and reassuring words
- 2. Coat nipple with breast milk
- 3. Choose a bottle reminiscent of the shape of the breast
- 4. Delegate meal preparation to a third party
- 5. Skin-to-skin feeding while bottle-feeding
- 6. Feeding during a babywearing session
- 7. Test different brands of milk powder
- When should I stop breastfeeding and switch to bottle-feeding for good?
- Things to remember
You've been breastfeeding, you've loved it, but now it's time, for various reasons (going back to work, baby refusing the breast, the approach of nursery school or the nanny who's about to start, or the desire to take some time for yourself...) to switch gently from breast to bottle.
If you're thinking of switching to mixed breastfeeding, or even weaning your child, we advise you to apply these tips to help your breastfed baby accept a bottle without too much difficulty...
1. Encourage baby to take the bottle with cuddles and reassuring words
Your child senses that something is not as usual. If he cries or screams, it's mainly to express his nervousness. To reassure him and encourage him to take the bottle of milk you're holding out to him, talk to him. Babies love it when you whisper sweet nothings in their ears, so don't deprive yourself... 😉
The tone of your voice will help reassure them. You can cradle your baby on your lap or against your shoulder for a cuddle, and repeat the feeding operation a little later.
Of course, encouraging baby does not mean forcing him to drink. We strongly advise against forcing a pacifier into your child's mouth. This would only aggravate his crying and obstinacy. It's better to opt for patience and perseverance rather than annoyance, which your baby can easily perceive thanks to his unfiltered sensitivity .
2. Coat nipple with breast milk
This final tip is for desperate parents who have tried everything to get their breast-fed baby to accept a bottle. Beware, this technique doesn't work every time...
But as the saying goes: nothing ventured, nothing gained! Before giving your little one his bottle, coat the teat with breast milk to stimulate baby's taste and encourage him to drink. You can repeat this manoeuvre as often as necessary ! Gradually, you'll realize that your child will no longer need this subterfuge to gobble up his meal. 😄
3. Choose a bottle reminiscent of the shape of the breast
If no technique works, then the problem is bigger than you thought. So big problems call for big solutions! If your child misses the breast so much, why not opt for a bottle whose generous shape reminds him of your breast ?
If, in addition, the texture is as soft as a peach skin, you've hit the jackpot! Feeding a bottle that is ergonomically close to the mother's breast helps to avoid the risk of breast-nipple confusion. On this subject, we invite you to read this article: Breast, teat or bottle: how to avoid confusion?
4. Delegate meal preparation to a third party
Does your best friend dream of bottle-feeding your baby? Our partner doesn't know how to tell you how much he'd like to take part in your child's meal? The switch from breast to bottle is the perfect opportunity to pass the baton! And in fact, baby associates:
● your voice,
● your face,
● your presence in general, with breastfeeding...
If a third party is in charge of his steps, he is likely to be more docile with them than with you. Don't be disappointed. On the contrary! This proves that your baby accepts change. Soon, you'll be the one giving the bottle. 👍
5. Skin-to-skin feeding while bottle-feeding
Skin-to-skin means holding your baby close to you, taking care to undress both you and your baby beforehand. The contact of your skin reassures your baby and reminds him of the very first moments of life, snuggled up against your body. The warmth of your body reminds him of his life in the womb and helps to calm his senses.
It's perfectly possible to give your baby his bottle in a skin-to-skinposition . To avoid any risk of leakage and getting wet, don't hesitate to slip a towel or diaper under your child's head while he's drinking. It's best to darken the room slightly by dimming the lights.
A hushed environment will reduce stimuli and calm your baby's nervous system.
6. Feeding during a babywearing session
As you can see, close contact with your mother is a special time for your child. If you feel up to it, you can offer your baby a bottle during a babywearing session, either in a sling or in a baby carrier.
Make sure your little one is cradled in the same way as if he were in your arms, toavoid any risk of regurgitation or reflux. Babies in slings are more soothed by the cocooning effect of swaddling.
7. Test different brands of milk powder
Did the first bottle you offered your baby fail? Maybe the problem isn't the bottle itself, but what's in it... You could try testing several brands of artificial milk to see if your baby is more receptive.
Once you've found the brand that suits your baby best, it's best not to change it again (except in cases of force majeure, as in the case of intolerance to cow's milk proteins).
When should I stop breastfeeding and switch to bottle-feeding for good?
In itself, there are no real rules for ending breastfeeding.
● Some mothers choose to breastfeed their children for a very long time, sometimes for several years.
● Others, on the other hand, find it easier to bottle-feed as soon as their baby is born.
● Mixed breastfeeding represents an interesting compromise.
The best time to stop breastfeeding is the one that seems most convenient to you.
Whether your child is 1 month, 6 months or 1 year old is of little importance. In reality, only you can decide when to stop breastfeeding. It's important to stop because you want to, not because the pressure of your family or society's diktats becomes too great.
The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months, then continuing until your child is 2 years old. Of course, these are only recommendations and are in no way binding. If you want to start bottle-feeding as soon as you leave the maternity ward, you should know that this will in no way harm your child's health.
Your baby won't necessarily be sicker if you don't breastfeed. You can also choose to give only the welcome feed, made up of colostrum, to provide your baby with his very first antibodies. Once again, this highly personal decision is not influenced by external factors and is entirely up to you. 😊
Things to remember
Switching from breast to bottle feeding is no mean feat, and some babies can be quite resistant. It may take a little cunning to convince them that this new accessory is for their own good. If the tips in this article don't help you achieve your goals, we recommend that you turn to your pediatrician or a lactation consultant.
To find out more about Elhée brand baby bottles and discover our colorful range, visit our boutique online! 🍼
Les biberons Élhée accompagneront votre bébé de la naissance jusqu'à 24 mois et plus, pour lui permettre une parfaite autonomie, sans risque de casse.
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