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Whether you're moving on from solely breastfeeding to bottle or combination feeding, or your baby just seems to be going through a fussy phase, it can be pretty frustrating if they refuse their bottle, especially if you're planning on going back to work soon.
Before you try every bottle brand on the market to find one they like, it's worth noting that almost all babies will accept any type of bottle eventually, it just takes a little perseverance and the right tool kit of techniques.
For some babies, learning to feed from a bottle can take a little time and requires patience. They may not like the way the teat might feel unfamiliar in their mouth, or they may find it difficult to adapt to drinking from a bottle because it requires different suckling movements to those used for breastfeeding.
They may find it uncomfortable or painful to feed if they have a cold, an ear or throat infection, or thrush. Seek advice from your doctor as soon as possible if you think your baby has an illness that's putting them off their bottle.
During feeds, your baby takes in little air bubbles which can get trapped in their little tummy. This can cause them discomfort and sometimes lead to colic.
If your baby seems uncomfortable during or after a feed, spending a few moments burping them can really help to relive discomfort caused by trapped wind.
You can burp your baby���
If these methods don't work and your baby still shows signs of trapped wind (crying, arched back, drawing legs into tummy, clenched fists), try lying them on their back and gently massaging their tummy and moving their legs back and forth.
You can test for this by turning the bottle upside down, it should drip quickly. If not, it may be blocked which will not allow your baby to feed comfortably and cause them to feel frustrated. If the teat is blocked, simply replace it with another sterile teat. If the problem persists, you may need to try a different flow rate.
Read on for some handy bottle acceptance tips and tricks���
If your baby is not taking to a bottle right away, you may be tempted to keep buying different bottles and teats to try until they accept one.
The truth is, six tries of the same bottle is likely to be as successful as trying six different bottles one at a time. So, save your money and persevere with the bottle you think is closest to a breast in shape and movement.
BabyCentre advises that "if your baby really won't accept a bottle, then you could try feeding them with a spoon or a soft-spouted beaker. If they're around six months old, they may manage to drink from a cup. Some babies never bottle feed, moving happily from breastfeeding to using a cup as part of the family meal".
Babies love boobs. They���re uniquely designed to give baby a warm and comfortable feeding experience. So, if you and your boobs are still around when you���re trying to give them a bottle, your little one might be distracted.
This could be the time to call in help from your partner, friends or family members. If your baby gets the message that mum���s not around, they might be more likely to accept a bottle feed from someone else. Bottle feeding is a great opportunity for others to enjoy bonding with baby.
When babies are having a tough time taking a bottle, it can help to offer it to them between feeds when they're not overly hungry. As we all know, learning a new skill takes patience and effort, and we all have more of both when we feel full, content and calm!
Paced bottle feeds put your baby in control of the process, this means following your baby's cues and feeding them when they show signs that they're hungry. After a while, you will get to know your baby's hunger signs, they may���
Keep in mind that crying is the last sign of wanting to feed, so try and feed your baby before they cry.
Babies tend to feed little and often, so they may not always finish their bottle. Never force your baby to finish the bottle ��� always be led by your baby. If your baby refuses their bottle, take it away and offer them another later.
Some babies prefer warmed milk, some room temperature, and others cold. Experiment a bit to see if your baby has a preference. You can also try warming the teat by placing it in warm water that���s been boiled and left to cool a little.
On the flip side, is your baby's teething, you can chill the teat in the fridge before the feeding to help relive sore gums.
Everything feels better when you���re relaxed and comfortable, right? That goes for bottle feeding baby, too. Try to create a quiet and comfortable space to feed in. Somewhere away from distractions like the sounds and lights of the TV.
It���s not always easy, especially if you have other little ones around, but it���s important for you to have some quiet time too.
Bottle feeding your baby means that you can switch it up and try holding them in different positions. Some babies like to sit upright when feeding, and this can help reduce reflux. Try holding baby facing out to look around the room, or sitting propped up on your legs.
You can also try feeding your baby while walking around and gently bouncing, swaying or rocking to help them feel calm and relaxed. Remember, never leave your baby alone to feed with a propped-up bottle as they may choke on the milk.
Maintaining eye- and skin-to-skin contact are great ways to bond with your baby, and dads, co-parents and other key adults who spend lots of time holding and feeding baby can also experience a surge of feel-good nurturing hormones.
UNICEF states that skin-to-skin contact also���
If your baby is refusing the bottle, it's sometimes a good idea to get them used to the teat on its own first. Try bringing the teat (without a bottle attached) to baby���s mouth and rub it along their gums to help them get used to the unfamiliar texture.
All babies and mums are different and the flow of milk from a bottle may feel very different to the flow of milk from your breast. So you may need to slow down or speed up the flow through the teat you use on your bottle.
Babies do have to learn slightly different suckling techniques to feed from a bottle, and generally (but not always) milk flows faster through a teat than from a breast.
Most little ones start with a slow flow teat so that they get used to the new sucking action needed to take milk from a bottle, without being overwhelmed. But if you had a strong flow of breast milk, they may find that slow flow is too slow, and therefor prefer a faster flowing teat.
It can help to tickle baby���s upper lip and nose with the teat and wait for them to open wide to latch on like they would when breastfeeding, rather than putting it directly into their mouth. Make sure that baby latches onto the wide base of the teat and not just the tip. Both of their lips should be flanged outwards, as they would be when breastfeeding.
We know that as a parent, you���ll do whatever's needed to keep your little one fed. So, if you're struggling to make the switch to solely bottle feeding, you could try to introduce a bottle gradually alongside breastfeeding, this is known as combination or mixed feeding.
The NHS has lots of information about mixed feeding and the different options you can choose from.
Finally, whether you've chosen to bottle feed with formula or expressed milk (or a combination of both), we know that it can be difficult from time to time.
Don���t be afraid to talk to your midwife, health visitor or other parents who've bottle fed if you need help and support. Here are some organisations that can help���
