Soon, you’ll be returning to work. This means you’ll be less present at home and less available for breastfeeding your baby. Still, stopping breastfeeding isn’t an option. Your solution? Pumping and bottle-feeding. In fact, you’re already prepared. You’ve bought all the gear: breast pump, breastfeeding bottles, and an adapter ring to express your milk directly into the bottle. Problem: your baby isn’t ready and flatly refuses bottle-feeding of expressed milk. Before you panic and reconsider your plans, discover our 10 tips to help you turn things around.
CONTENTS:
- 4 technical tips to make pumping and bottle-feeding easier
- 2 methods to keep baby occupied and make bottle-feeding smoother
- Moms, 3 more ways to unlock successful pumping and bottle-feeding
- 1 bonus: cook with your breast milk
4 technical tips to make pumping and bottle-feeding easier
When the bottle of breast milk is used as a substitute for breastfeeding, your baby might not agree and refuse to drink in any way other than at your breast. However, with patience, kindness, and a bit of ingenuity, you can gradually increase your chances of getting your baby to accept pumping and bottle-feeding.
Gently warm the expressed milk
Breast milk straight from the breast is at your body’s temperature, around 97°F. So, to help your baby adjust to bottle-feeding breast milk, warm up the milk you’ve pumped or have your baby’s caregiver do it. The easiest way to do this? The bottle warmer.
Offer a bottle of freshly expressed breast milk
If you’re new to pumping, you might not know that expressed breast milk that’s been refrigerated or frozen can develop a different smell and taste, leading to refusal. How can you tell if this is the issue? Offer your baby a bottle of milk that’s just been pumped and see if they notice a difference.
Try different feeding containers
Of course, transitioning from the breast to the bottle is a big change for your child. Their refusal of bottle feeding may be directly related to the type of container. Spout cup, bottle, needleless syringe, spoon, cup, or SNS (supplemental nursing system)—try feeding your baby in a different way to find what works.
Did you know? From birth, babies are able to lap up milk offered in small amounts in a cup. The “SNS” works via a thin tube that connects on one end to a bottle of breast milk and on the other, to the nipple, letting baby suck from both at the same time. This device is often used to induce lactation, support low milk supply, or help premature babies who struggle with latching.
Trust in a physiological and sensory bottle
Compared to the breast, most bottles are rigid, smooth, and cold—sensations your baby isn’t used to.
To overcome this and for all breastfed, semi-breastfed, pumped, or bottle-fed babies, Élhée has drawn inspiration from the breast to develop their physiological bottle. Made from 100% medical-grade silicone, supple and soft like mom’s breast, it also features a physiological nipple with an anti-colic valve.
Compatible with Medela and Avent breast pumps as well as the brand’s bottle warmer (thanks to its two adapter rings), the BibROND most closely reproduces the sensations of breastfeeding for a gentle transition.
2 methods to keep baby occupied and make bottle-feeding smoother
If warming your frozen breast milk or offering freshly expressed milk doesn’t help, try diverting your baby’s attention away from the milk feed.
Feed while moving
You’ve probably noticed, babies love being held, rocked, and cuddled... In moments of waiting, you may find yourself getting into the habit of gently swaying to help your little one be patient. Movement soothes—and it can help with tricky bottle feeds, too. For example, try bottle-feeding while walking or gently moving to help your baby adapt to this change.
Moving around can also offer different points of view to your child and sometimes, shift their focus away from the bottle.
Feed with music and stories
Reading aloud, listening to music, telling a story, or simply talking to your baby may also help. Babies are highly sensitive to gentle, melodic sounds; musicality captures their attention and, again, often soothes them through stressful transitions.
Once you and your baby have transitioned to pumping and bottle-feeding together, your little one will also have to adapt to a caregiver. Pass on all the tips you’ve tried (especially what worked!) to dad, the nanny, or grandparents—so they feel less helpless facing your child and a bottle.
Moms, 3 more ways to unlock successful pumping and bottle-feeding
When pumping and bottle-feeding becomes really challenging, outside help can be invaluable. That’s normal. Taking a step back is often necessary to understand the situation as a parent.
Temporarily delegate feedings
If your baby refuses to take the bottle, the transition may be even harder with you—the one who’s always breastfed. To make the transition from breastfeeding > mixed feeding > exclusive pumping easier, let someone else give the bottles as soon as possible. This will clearly separate the stages. Once bottle-feeding is established, you can comfortably resume milk feeds with your baby.
Share your emotions with your child
Even when very young, your baby understands you. Facial expressions, tone of voice, and even emotions—your child picks up on everything, in their own way. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure what to try next, choose a quiet moment, when your child is receptive, and talk to them about your struggles. It may not be a magic fix, but it’s always beneficial.
Be open with your family and friends as well. Talk about your challenges with bottle-feeding refusal, share your concerns and doubts about your choices. Parents, partners, and friends can offer support, ideas, and a few moments of relief.
Let go
Often the hardest advice to take—let go. Pressed for time and juggling outside commitments, it’s natural to be anxious about whether your child is eating enough while you’re away. That’s why we developed the physiological bottle as a breastfeeding substitute—designed for the happiness of all babies and parents.
If your baby resists bottle feeding, one or more of our tips should eventually help. You both may need a little time to settle into your new routine, and for your baby to find their own way. Weaning a baby from breastfeeding doesn’t happen overnight; it requires patience, understanding, and gentleness. Whatever happens during this transition, try to let go of concerns about the exact amount of milk or the timing of meals. Simply continue to monitor your baby’s wellbeing.
1 bonus: cook with your breast milk
Finally, if the switch from breast to bottle happens around the start of introducing solids—or if your child is already eating solid foods—try making yogurts, cakes, or even pancakes with your breast milk. It’s a wonderful way to extend your breastfeeding journey a little further.
By the way, for kids who eat or are starting to eat more grown-up foods, did you know that the Élhée BibROND can also be used as a small container? And that the training cup is as safe as the bottle for learning to drink water?
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