EBF but wanting to introduce bottle

Since around 6 weeks of age, when breastfeeding was fully established, we’ve tried to introduce a bottle before bedtimes, just to know she can take one and to give me a little break! Unfortunately we are not having much success. We have tried Dr Browns, MAM and Tommee Tippee bottles. The only one she has taken a handful of times was the MAM bottles but now she’s refusing them again :( She gags on other bottles (also with dummies!) or just plays with it in her mouth and doesn’t properly ‘latch’. Any tips/bottles that are good for breastfeeding, bottle refusing babies? We’ve also tried pace feeding where she’s sat more upright, being distracted with TV in background, different times of day, less stimulating environments etc. My hubby is getting quite despondent as he really wants to help and give me a break :)

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I've seen people introducing bottle in a breastfeeding position, might be worth a try? x

We had the same issue. We've recently had some success. The things we found made a difference were: - making sure you're using a newborn (size 1) teat - using the side lying position (as Naomi suggested, similar to a cross body breast feeding position, but facing away from the body. Our feeding consultant said if she's happy like this we can slowly start transitioning her over the next few weeks to a more sitting position) - making sure the milk is close to body temp (she still hates milk which is too close to room temp) - tickling her lip with the teat and letting her draw the bottle in (similar to her taking in the nipple when BF). - consistency, offering a bottle every day (some days go better than others, but getting her used to the bottle seems to be helping, and we're slowly seeing more good feeds) - if she is too hungry offering a few minutes of BF first to take the edge off and calm her down (have needed to do this less and less)

My husband also found this really hard, he took it quite personally when she rejected the bottle from him and felt bad when we had to throw away precious pumped milk. But persevere, it's a new skill for baby girl and for both parents, it can take time to learn. Good luck, and remember whatever happens you're doing a great job cause the main thing is baby is being fed! ❤️

Try the NUK perfect match ones c

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