5 steps that can ease the transition from breastfeeding to bottle feeding (and some tips)

To strengthen your baby’s immune system, there’s nothing better than breastfeeding him with breast milk. The World Health Organization and many pediatricians recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. But many women are unable to meet this demand, either because of obligations at work, for health reasons or for other reasons. Therefore, it is important to make a gradual and effective transition between breast and bottle, so that neither mother nor baby ends up stressed.

O incredible.club features a guide that will make both mom and baby comfortable with the process of switching from breast to bottle. In the end you will find a bonus with very valuable advice for an effective transition.

From the baby’s contact with the mother’s breast, a very strong bond is formed, even more so if the baby breastfeeds “at will”. Because of this, weaning can be as difficult for the mother as it is for the baby.

But since this way of administering food cannot last forever, at some point you will need to transition to mixed feeding, supplementing feedings with a bottle or switching directly to a bottle, abandoning breastfeeding altogether.

What should be kept in mind is that the mother will need to be very patient, as the type of sucking is different for the baby, and the texture of the nipple and the breast as well. This is why, at first, the baby may be a little reluctant to suck and is likely to cry a lot. But don’t worry, just encourage him and snuggle him in your lap, as if you were going to breastfeed him. Don’t force it either, make this transition progressively and not abruptly.

If you still have good milk production, the ideal is to use a device or a pump to extract it – for example, a manual or electric breast pump – and give your own milk in the bottle. If you do not have this possibility, consult a pediatrician about the most suitable milk formula according to your baby’s lifespan and weight.

It is important to consider whether the bottle nipple is the right size, as if it is too large, it will make it difficult for the child to suck. You can also get silicone nipples, which are ergonomic and have a very similar texture to breasts. In addition, they have a drip system that looks like the natural one, and makes the baby feel as if he is sucking from your breast, since the effort made is the same.

It is critical that all items used to feed babies, for example teats, bottles or spoons, are cleaned and sterilized before use. In this way, bacteria that can cause diarrhea or other illnesses in the baby are eliminated.

Carefully wash with soap and hot water all the elements or utensils you are going to use to prepare the formula. It is also advisable to use a brush that comes especially for cleaning teats and bottles. With her you can scrub the inside and outside; that way, you’ll be sure you’ve removed everything from hard-to-reach places.

The most advisable thing is to start with a bottle in the afternoon, because — in most cases — it is at this time of day that milk consumption decreases. As the morning and evening are the periods when the baby most demands the mother’s breast and, above all, because at night it helps him to fall asleep, it is not advisable to start the process at night.

When breastfeeding is reduced, it can be helpful to introduce a new routine that does not remind the baby of this habit. For example, if your little one likes to nurse in the morning in bed, you could try getting up quickly and going into another room to have breakfast together.

At night you can also encourage your partner to put the little one to sleep. It is possible that the baby easily accepts a different bedtime routine. Maybe he likes a warm bottle and a bedtime story.

You’ve probably already gotten used to offering your baby the breast whenever he expresses some kind of discomfort, mainly because this close contact conveys confidence and serenity. But, if you are determined to stop breastfeeding, this is something you should not continue doing. However, if the little one asks for it, it is also not good to deny it, as it would be a very sudden change for him.

As your child grows up, he becomes more energetic and engages in a variety of activities. You may notice that he naturally stops asking for the breast as often. This method of not offering before he asks can make you stop breastfeeding smoothly and gradually.

Although each child is different and also has different needs, they all have in common the ability to interact and the innate curiosity of wanting to know everything, so when you explain something to the little one, he seems to understand.

Science has also proven that when you speak, your baby can understand you. So feel free to explain to the baby everything lovingly. For example, look him in the eyes and tell him he’s growing up, that it’s time for milk alone or with someone else, that mommy has other things to do and that she can’t take care of him all the time, but that she’ll always be ready for him. whatever he needs and who will take care of him one way or another.

Even if your baby can’t express himself beyond a few babbling sounds and can’t respond with more than a smile, your words will certainly reach him, especially if they come from the heart.

It is best for the mother to give the first bottle, but then share this task with the father or another caregiver, so that the baby understands that he does not depend only on you to feed himself.

Moisten the nipple of the bottle with your milk so that the little one feels more comfortable with the familiar taste.

To prevent your baby from swallowing air while sucking, tilt the bottle so that the formula reaches the neck and covers the nipple.

Since breastfeeding provides such important emotional support, give your baby lots of hugs and kisses to fill this need.

Start with small amounts so that your baby gradually becomes familiar with sucking from the nipple.

Changes that are introduced into their everyday routines are simpler for the baby to accept. Therefore, you can include the bottle after a daily activity, such as bathing.

If you offer the baby a bottle and he doesn’t accept it, it’s possibly because he doesn’t smell the breast milk and doesn’t want to drink something else. That’s why it’s important that the father, grandmother or other caregiver is involved in feeding the baby.

Have you ever had this experience? Do you want to add any other points to this guide to help other moms?