Introducing a Bottle to Your Baby: What You Need to Know

Whether you choose to bottle feed your baby right from birth or introduce it in combination with breastfeeding, bottle-feeding is a learned skill just like anything else. Your baby has never done it before, and you might be new at it as well! It can be overwhelming to try and figure the ins and outs of bottle-feeding as a new parent. Having a feeding plan before your baby arrives is always a good idea, to help avoid surprises and ensure a smooth feeding journey.

What are the differences between breast and bottle feeding? 

Believe it or not, breastfeeding and bottle-feeding look very different for your baby. During a breastfeed, your baby’s entire mouth is filled with breast tissue. They stay in charge of the flow and the breast responds to your baby’s sucking action. As the sucking action changes, the flow of milk from the breast also changes. When your baby stops sucking at the breast, the flow stops. On the other hand, when your baby feeds from the bottle, the nipple of the bottle is the only part in their mouth which changes the mechanism of their suck. The bottle also provides a continuous flow of milk, and your baby must clamp down on the nipple to stop the flow and protect their airway. These differences can contribute to the possibility of your baby having trouble adjusting and alternating between the breast and bottle.

You may have heard the term “nipple confusion” from friends and family or even healthcare workers, but this is misleading. There is no such thing as confusion, but rather a nipple preference that babies can develop. Because of the differences in the suck-swallow-breathe pattern and coordination between the breast and bottle, introducing the bottle to your breastfed baby too early can interfere with good breastfeeding. Bottle-feeding is easier for your baby; the flow of milk is fast and immediate. We can’t blame them, after all, who wants to work hard for their food?! Waiting to try the bottle until your baby is around 6 weeks old to make sure breastfeeding is well established is ideal. Your baby will be less likely to develop a nipple preference and will have an easier time alternating. Although waiting is ideal, it is not always possible. Meeting with a lactation consultant early postpartum will help support you in bottle feeding and protect your milk supply.

How can I make bottle-feeding like breastfeeding?

Many parents who wish to exclusively breastfeed but don’t for a variety of reasons often feel like they are missing out on the bonding and closeness that breastfeeding provides. There are several ways that you can still have a breastfeeding-like experience when bottle-feeding. Examples of these include skin-to-skin cuddles before and after feeding and alternating feeding positions as you would change sides during a breastfeed. Latching your baby on an empty breast after a bottle feed is called non-nutritive sucking, and can provide a calming, relaxing and bonding experience for both you and your baby.  

What are some bottle-feeding safety tips?

Always make sure the feeding caregiver is holding the bottle and paying attention during a feed. Propping the bottle up on a pillow or blanket risks aspiration— milk entering your baby’s lungs, which can lead to other complications. It is also important to watch for and respond to your baby’s stress cues with bottle feeding. These include frowning, flailing, squinting, gagging, sputtering, milk spillage and body arching and we recommend a technique called paced bottle-feeding to help with these stress responses. Paced bottle feeding helps keep your baby in control over how much they take in and it is usually less overwhelming for them. The goal with paced feeding is to mimic breastfeeding’s suck-swallow-breathe coordination and makes feeding a very enjoyable, positive experience. 

Where can I get more support for feeding my baby?

At Push we are here to support you on your feeding journey, whatever it looks like for you and your family! Based in Toronto, Ontario and offering virtual or in-person sessions, we can answer all your questions surrounding introducing a bottle to your baby, techniques for paced feeding, as well as pumping, building a freezer stash of breast milk, or weaning and transitioning to formula. 

Remember that no matter how you choose to feed your baby, you are enough mama! You are already doing a great job.

Are you looking for one-on-one support to answer your infant feeding questions? Book a complimentary meet & greet call with our lactation consultant to learn more about how we can support you in your parenting journey.