Which Bottle to Use After Breastfeeding?

The best bottle after breastfeeding 

If your little one is already familiar with bottles and has already had the chance to drink from one, then the transition from breastfeeding to exclusive bottle feeding shouldn’t be much of an issue. Baby already knows the taste, smell, and texture of the container in which you prepare powdered milk.  

If you haven’t yet given a bottle to your child, it's better to choose a bottle that can best reproduce the sensations experienced during breastfeeding. Opt for a soft, odorless nipple, preferably a physiological one (flat on one side and rounded on the other) which will help baby not feel too disoriented.   

A bottle shaped like the mother's breast is also an innovation you can find in our Elhée range. The silicone material is soft (like peach skin!) and provides an immediate feeling of well-being when held.  

To make sure your child isn’t put off by not having breastfeeding available anymore, it’s important that each meal is both a soothing and playful time!

Play is definitely part of your child's learning process. A decorative, flexible, or colorful bottle helps capture your baby’s attention and encourages them to be interested in the bottle you offer.  

Do we really need to remind you that a good bottle, whether for feeding your baby after breastfeeding or not, should always be free of toxic materials for infants?  

By definition, you shouldn’t feed your child from a bottle if it carries health risks for baby due to pathogenic agents such as bisphenol A, BPA… In short! These are highly harmful and carcinogenic plastic microparticles. 

Bottle after breastfeeding: for a gentle weaning!  

Weaning your child, whether it’s by your own decision, because things are not going as planned, or because your child seems to be losing interest in your breast, is an important step in your life and your child’s. It deserves all the attention necessary! 

If you’re wondering how to wean your child, know that for things to go as smoothly as possible, it's recommended to go gradually, reducing the number of feedings. Start with one or two fewer breastfeeding sessions per day, then gradually increase this number until your baby is fully weaned.  

If baby asks to feed at the same rhythm as before, try to redirect their attention by playing with them, going for a walk, or leaving them with your partner or their dad. Offer water instead of the breast to ensure that thirst isn’t the reason for the request.

If every attempt at distraction is unsuccessful, offer the breast as a last resort and see if another feeding might be less important to your child depending on the time of day.

You can also offer freshly expressed breast milk (thawed breast milk may have a different taste and may not be suitable at the start of weaning). 

Pumping your milk and giving it to your baby in a bottle suited for post-breastfeeding helps to avoid unsettling your baby. This way, baby still benefits from mother’s milk, which can be less traumatic in cases where formula would not be well received.  

Sometimes, it’s not the bottle itself that's the problem! So be sure that the brand of formula is actually accepted by your baby before blaming the bottle or nipple. 

It's very important that the chosen bottle doesn’t give off a stronger odor that could change the aroma of the breast milk, thereby ruining your strategy. 

How to Start Introducing Solids Properly?

Pediatricians will often recommend starting solid foods at your baby’s six months of age. The older your child is, the lower the risk of choking...  

However, it’s not uncommon to notice that some of the brighter babies start looking at their parents’ plates by four months, sometimes even earlier! But always be sure to strictly follow medical guidance.  

Once your child is ready, you can choose to prepare little meals yourself, always finely pureed and without lumps for the first months. At first, don’t be surprised if baby doesn’t finish their meal! One or two spoonfuls will be more than enough to calm their small tummy and their unstoppable curiosity.  

For the first meals, you don’t need to mix different vegetables and seasonings. Give single flavors so your child can identify tastes and name the food you offer.  

• carrot,  
• potato,  
• butternut squash,  
• peas,  
• green beans, 
• beetroot,  
• sweet potato,  
• parsnip, 
• banana, 
• prunes, 
• strawberry,
• pear, 
• peach, 
• apricot, 
• etc.

Don’t add salt or pepper the first weeks. You may add a very light drizzle of vegetable oil (olive, canola, walnut, etc.) to the meals. Start with foods low in sugar, rather than the other way around! Doing otherwise may disappoint baby, who will otherwise get used to stronger flavors. 

If baby refuses the spoon, don’t insist. Maybe they haven’t quite learned how to open their mouth properly yet. You can pour a little of your milk into the porridge and purees so each spoonful resembles what they’re used to eating.  

If you’re not a fan of cooking, store-bought baby foods — organic if possible — are a very good alternative. Don’t hesitate to taste them yourself for reassurance.  

Teams of dietitians work daily in partnership with French vegetable producers to meet your baby's needs. Most major brands such as: 

• Nestlé,  
• Blédina,  
• HIPP,  
• Babybio,  
• Yooji…

offer quality products with multiple flavors.  

You can also offer soups in a bottle in the evening if baby is tired, as a follow-up to breastfeeding. Again, you can mix them with milk, either breast milk or formula if baby is reluctant to drink.  

In this case, pay close attention to the choice of the nipple : not all flows are equal. They must be suitable for the texture of the liquids given to your child to prevent an increased risk of choking.    

Article summary: 

If you choose to stop breastfeeding and are looking for a bottle that can be used right after, here’s what to keep in mind first: 

• Choose a bottle that replicates breastfeeding conditions as much as possible.
• Continue pumping for a while if needed to make bottle feeding easier. 
• Start introducing solid foods gradually and with your pediatrician’s approval. 

Whatever the context, breastfeeding should never be an obligation and should remain a pleasure for every mom. Weaning your child and choosing to give a bottle is not a crime (nor is breastfeeding for a long time, by the way!). This step should not make mothers feel guilty.  

Elhée supports women in making the best choices for the health and well-being of babies. Discover our story by clicking on this link !