Nursing Mothers

Weaning from the Breast to the Bottle

Nipple confusion takes place when a baby shows preference either for the breast nipple or the bottle nipple and has a hard time or is refusing to feed from the other. This happens because the mechanics of breastfeeding is different from drinking from a baby bottle and when baby is used to a certain way of feeding, some of them would need time to learn and adjust to the new way of feeding.

During the early stages of breastfeeding, moms are often advised not to introduce the baby bottle and even a pacifier before baby turns six weeks old. This is because drinking from a baby bottle is easier compared to breastfeeding. It’s easier for baby to get milk and satisfy their hunger through a baby bottle and as a result may not take to breastfeeding.

When baby is used to breastfeeding, nipple confusion may happen when baby is weaned from the breast to the bottle. This type of nipple confusion with preference for the breast is what this article is going to address.

When this happens to you and your baby, here are some methods you can overcome nipple confusion.

Breastfeeding Weaning Tips

•Change the setting. Make sure to feed your baby in a different spot to when you breastfeed them. That way, they won’t be disappointed when the expect the breast and receive the bottle instead.

•Develop a routine. Establishing a bottle feeding routine will help your baby anticipate and know to expect the bottle. This will help avert confusion, especially for moms whose babies drink milk from both the breast and the bottle.

•Have someone else give the bottle. If baby seems unwilling to drink from the bottle when you are the one giving it, try having someone give them the bottle. This works because when you’re around, the baby knows that you are available to breastfeed. Whereas if it’s somebody else giving the bottle, your baby may be more receptive to try this way of feeding.

•Introduce the bottle before baby is ravenous. When you wait for baby to be really hungry before introducing the bottle, this may frustrate your baby and make them fussy. It’s better to introduce the bottle an hour before their usual feeding schedule. This will give them plenty of time to adjust to the bottle.

•Warm the bottle nipple. Keep the bottle nipple warm, but not hot.

•Choose bottle nipples that are similar in shape and texture. This will help your baby adjust to bottle feeding faster.

•Give baby time to learn it. If baby is refusing to drink from the bottle, do not force it. Give them a couple of days and then try again. Let them touch the bottle and play with it. Some babies are just slow to warm up to new things. When the bottle no longer seems alien to them, they’ll be more willing to try it.  Weaning from breastfeeding is something that may take some time. 

If you are looking for more tips like this on how to gently wean your baby from breastfeeding, check out Wendi Blaire’s “Hello Milk, Bye-Bye Milk: An Expert Mom’s Ultimate Guide to Breastfeeding and Weaning”. Her book will answer all of your questions on weaning such as how to express milk for your baby, how to spot for signs of readiness for solid foods, and how to address the problems associated with weaning such as breast pain and breast engorgement.