Your new physiological silicone bottle is full of resources! And the 10 tips provided in this article are, too…
Allow us to help guide you through the process of weaning from breastfeeding to make things easier for you and to ensure better daily use of your favorite physiological bottle.
Tip 1: Dilute the contents of physiological baby bottles
If you are in a transition phase and considering weaning your baby, you can mix your baby’s first bottles of formula with breast milk. This way, your baby’s preparations will remind them of the taste of nursing and increase their willingness to use the bottle.
Tip 2: Let someone else take over
Baby may be confused the first few times you give them a bottle of infant formula. It’s a good idea to let another family member take over, such as your partner or their dad, to break habits. A change in routine may encourage your baby to behave differently!
Tip 3: Warm up the physiological bottle
Using a thermometer can be very effective for checking the temperature of the warmed milk. The idea is to warm the milk in the physiological bottle between 95 and 98.6°F, so your baby can enjoy the same warmth as they are used to when nursing.
A cold bottle may further discourage your child the first few times they try the bottle.
Tip 4: Invite baby to drink—don’t force it
If baby refuses to take the nipple of the physiological bottle, don’t force them to drink. Instead, gently place the tip of the nipple under their nose for a few seconds, without blocking their nostrils, to entice them to taste it. You can draw small circles or move from left to right to make the start of their meal more playful and encourage them to take the nipple into their mouth.
Tip 5: Warm the physiological nipple
If baby is still refusing the bottle despite your patience, warm the nipple under hot water for ten seconds, after having placed baby somewhere away from the manipulation area to avoid any risk of burns.
This will help make the nipple warmer and more supple, making it more welcoming—just like mom’s breast!
Tip 6: Adjust the flow of the physiological bottle
If baby now takes the nipple but seems frustrated, maybe the milk flow is too slow! If during breastfeeding your milk let-down is fast, especially if you have a strong ejection reflex, it is perfectly normal for your child to get impatient. Try a physiological nipple with a different flow rate, like a medium flow, and observe your child’s reaction. On the other hand, a fast flow through the bottle may surprise or startle them, so in that case opt for a slow-flow nipple instead.
Tip 7: Get yourself several physiological bottles
If you choose to give your newborn bottles right from the hospital, make sure to invest in several bottles. Your nights could be interrupted by many wake-ups for several weeks or even months...
Having to constantly wash the same bottle in the middle of the night will make your physical recovery harder by keeping you awake longer.
At Elhée, our range offers you up to 10 different bottle colors to brighten up those endless evenings!
Tip 8: Use a physiological baby bottle rather than a traditional bottle from birth
Use a physiological bottle whose shape resembles that of a nurturing breast to comfort your child as soon as you get home from the hospital. Contact with this type of bottle will be different and more natural.
Tip 9: Gradually cut the cord
When you hand off feeding to your partner, take the opportunity to get some rest. And don’t make the mistake of checking in on them in the next room, or sneaking a look!
It would send your baby a contradictory message—they may reject the bottle being held by your partner or the person feeding them if they see you.
Tip 10: Offer dairy products or cook with them!
If after many unsuccessful attempts, baby is still not convinced by the bottle, you can offer cottage cheese or little Swiss cheeses to keep up a regular calcium intake.
And why not use up your supply by making dairy snacks with breast milk, like yogurts or little cakes, which are easy for babies to eat?
Be sure to throw away any preparation that has been thawed and not eaten by your child after each meal.
Élhée’s tips in brief
- It’s not easy to wean your child or to watch them cry for your presence.
- Be gentle with yourself and patient with your child.
- Choosing to stop breastfeeding does not make you a bad mother and will not traumatize your baby into adulthood.
- Don’t let outside opinions sway you—do what works best for you and your child.
- Discover all our tips for a successful, peaceful weaning by clicking this link !
