And why not? Breastfeeding is warm, cozy, and involves their favorite person — Mom. But don't worry: For most babies, this is just a short-lived developmental step. If your baby suddenly refuses to take a bottle, talk to your child's doctor to rule out a medical reason then try reintroducing it at another time. In some countries, infants who can't nurse are taught to use a cup from the get-go. There are some advantages to this method: There's no chance of nipple confusion, and you won't be tempted to prop up your baby with a bottle at nap time or bedtime which can lead to tooth decay.
You'll also never have to break a bottle habit. Of course, helping your baby drink from a cup is time-consuming. Unless you use a sippy cup or a cup with a built-in straw, you'll have to help her drink — and be prepared for the inevitable mess.
Daycare providers may not be able to accommodate this arrangement. Many of the same principles of introducing your baby to a bottle hold true for using a cup.
Have her get used to a cup at an early age but not until breastfeeding is well established , and introduce it gradually — one feeding a day.
If you're going back to work, start a few weeks before so your child has time to get used to this new feeding method. When this happens, it's not uncommon to blame yourself, saying, "If only I had given him a bottle a day from the beginning, this wouldn't be happening. Some babies never take a bottle. Others may tell you that if you just wait him out, he'll eventually be hungry enough to take a bottle.
That's not necessarily true, and making a baby go for long stretches without eating isn't a good idea. Don't make mealtime into a battleground.
If all attempts to bottle-feed him fail, go the cup route. Hold him upright in one arm and bring the cup to his mouth, tilting it gently until a bit of milk or formula drips in.
He'll lap it up at first and then figure out to drink it. You can also use a hollow-handled medicine spoon to do the same thing. If you've decided to wean your baby, or to nurse only before and after work, you deserve congratulations and support for having given your baby weeks or months of breast milk. Just be sure that your baby gets the same one-on-one, physically nurturing and affectionate time with you during bottle-feeding that she did with breastfeeding. For more information on easing this transition, see our article on how to wean your baby.
See more on breastfeeding and the working mom. BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals.
We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. Introducing the bottle. American Academy of Pediatrics. Is your baby hungry or full?
Responsive feeding explained. Kassing, D. Bottle-feeding as a tool to reinforce breastfeeding. Journal of Human Lactation 18 1 La Leche League International. Bottles and other tools.
Meyers D. Find out eveything you need to know, and buy, to get ready for breastfeeding. Our guide explains how to latch your baby on, good positions for breastfeeding plus breastfeeding accessories that can help. How to tell if your newborn is getting enough milk. How breasts produce milk in pregnancy and beyond. Having sore nipples can make breastfeeding a trial but simple changes can make all the difference. We have advice on what is making breastfeeding painful and what to do about it.
You can use a pump or you can do it by hand. Find out the easiest ways to express and store your milk. How can I express breastmilk by hand? You can eat most things when breastfeeding but traces of some food and drink can get into your breastmilk and affect your baby. Find out which foods to watch out for. What can I eat and drink when I'm breastfeeding? Is it safe to eat spicy food when breastfeeding? Good support can really help when it comes to breastfeeding. Read other mums' experiences, tips and advice to help solve problems and keep you motivated.
How can I include my partner when I breastfeed? Do mums have to breastfeed? What if I don't want to? What are the benefits of breastfeeding?
It's best to give your baby nothing but breastmilk for the first six months. If you're enjoying breastfeeding, read our expert advice on how to continue for longer. And is there a recommended time to start weaning your baby off? Original poster's comments Do it as long as you are comfortable. Every one is different. See all replies 1. I stopped at 8 months with ODD. I wasn't making enough to fill her up. I breastfed two years.
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