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Breastfeeding & Transitioning to the Bottle
Do you remember when breastfeeding felt like a mystery? At one point in time, perhaps you weren't quite sure how to begin breastfeeding. Maybe you took a class to learn, maybe you talked with a lactation specialist, or perhaps you acquired information about breastfeeding online. Now, breastfeeding may seem like second nature and perhaps you are considering transitioning your baby to the bottle.
Bottle-feeding doesn't mean that you need to give up breastfeeding. In fact, if you are pumping milk, your child will still be receiving breast milk as his/her primary nutritional source. Many infants are both breast and bottle fed, providing both optimal nutrition and flexibility in feeding.
Bottle-feeding is especially helpful if you plan to return to work, have other children, or simply want to have others involved in the feeding responsibility of your baby.
Although feeding your baby via bottle may sound much simpler than breastfeeding, there may be some “bumps in the road” during this transition, which can be avoided with a little planning.
Most experts recommend exclusively breastfeeding a baby for the first few weeks of life. After nursing has been well established (i.e. after a month) is a good time to introduce a bottle.
As you have been breastfeeding the child, you may find your baby more receptive to someone else providing that first bottle. Your little one may be confused as to why you are offering up a bottle when the breast is present. Even if you are not directly feeding your baby, you may want to leave the immediate area where your baby is to be fed. Babies have a keen sense of smell and may resist taking from a bottle if you are in the vicinity.
Don't be frustrated if it takes a little time to make the transition. To play it safe, most experts recommend you transition a baby to the bottle at least two weeks in advance of returning back to work.
As you provide a bottle for the baby, note that it may take a little time for the baby to adjust to the bottle. The nipple may be of different texture, smell and temperature. If your baby does not respond to one type of nipple, try another.
As with everything in parenthood, remember it may take time and be patient. With both time and trial (and perhaps a few errors), bottle-feeding will eventually be second nature too.
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