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What age do babies stop bottle feeding


How to Transition Your Baby from a Bottle to a Cup

Written by Barbara Brody

Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD on March 31, 2022

Whether you breastfeed, bottle feed, or do a combo of the two, at some point you'll wonder: Is it time to move on to a cup?

If you just breastfeed, the easiest switch is to skip bottles entirely and go straight to cups around the 1-year mark, or whenever you decide to stop nursing. If your child happily sucks on bottles, their first birthday might still be a good choice. That's because you're already changing from formula to cow's milk around that time.

Missed that window? Waiting until your baby is a little older? No worries, but don’t wait too long. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests saying bye-bye to the bottle before your baby is 18 months old. "I'd say definitely before age 2, but the sooner the better," says Keith T. Ayoob, EdD. He’s an associate clinical professor of pediatrics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, N. Y.

As a registered dietitian who works with kids, Ayoob snatches the bottle from kids as old as 5 -- and he says it isn't pretty. "You have to know your child, but in general, the longer you wait the harder it is."

Why the Bottle Needs to Go

A bottle gives food and comfort to many children, so letting your little one use it for as long as they like might seem harmless enough. But there are several reasons why it's smart to switch to cups:

Bottles boost tooth decay. Milk has lactose, a type of sugar. And if you're giving your child juice in a bottle (though you shouldn't), that's even worse. "The acid in juice is a nightmare for teeth," Ayoob says.

Milk should remain an important part of your child's diet, and juice is OK now and then. Sucked from a bottle though, the sugar and acid will stay longer on their teeth, which could lead to cavities. Letting a baby go to sleep with a bottle is especially bad, because your body makes less saliva (which helps to wash away food particles) while you're asleep.

Prolonged use of a bottle is linked to obesity. Research shows that kids who are still using a bottle at age 2 are more likely to be obese by the time they're almost 6. Ayoob says some kids walk around with a bottle in their mouths all the time, even though they’re eating plenty of solid food. This can result in too many calories.

He says that being too attached to the bottle could have the opposite effect, too: With some picky eaters, the bottle becomes the “go-to meal," and a child may not be eating enough of his breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Bottles could mess with her smile. Constant sucking can change the position of her adult teeth down the line. It can affect the development of her facial muscles and palate (roof of her mouth), says Peter Richel, MD. He's the chief of pediatrics at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, N.Y. This can easily lead to an overbite that might later need to be corrected with orthodontia such as braces.

Drinking while laying down increases the chance of ear infections. If your little one loves to curl up with a bottle, watch out.

"Some of the milk kind of gurgles up in the back of the throat, and it just sort of sits there while bacteria grows," Ayoob says. "Bacteria can crawl right up the Eustachian tube [in the throat] and into the ear."

Giving the Bottle the Boot

Your child should know how to drink out of a cup before you take away the bottle. Many pediatricians tell parents to introduce sippy cups around 6 to 9 months. That's when kids commonly start drinking water and other liquids besides formula and breast milk.

If, from a young age, you start giving some milk (not just water) in sippy or regular cups, then things will be easier when you're ready to get rid of the bottle for good, Richel says.

Once you decide to ditch bottles, there are two main ways to go about it: Go cold turkey, or slowly wean her off. Whichever way you choose, experts agree that sticking to it is key. "Cold turkey is the quickest but most difficult for parents, because they feel they are being cruel," Richel says.

Just don't expect either way to be easy. Even if you opt to wean slowly, "there will be some pushback," Ayoob says. "If you're trying to do it without any resistance whatsoever, you're in the wrong business."

Cold turkey: One day, you simply make all the bottles disappear. If your child is old enough to understand, it might help to include them in the process. For example, you can warn them that today is the last day for bottles, and that starting tomorrow, they are going to drink only from "big boy" cups.

Weaning: The idea is to slowly swap out bottles in favor of cups. For example, you might fill in a cup for the bottle at just one feeding a day, then add a second cup the following week.

No matter how slow (or fast) you want to go, Ayoob says you should take away the mid-day bottles first, then the morning one. Get your child used to eating something solid first thing in the morning, he says, before you remove the morning bottle.

Most experts (and parents!) agree that taking away the nighttime bottle is the toughest final step. "Denying your baby a bottle, especially that last one before bed, can be incredibly challenging for moms and dads,” says Rallie McAllister, MD, MPH, coauthor of The Mommy MD Guide to the Toddler Years. “It makes it far more difficult to get babies to sleep, and when babies don’t sleep, neither do their parents."

To make things easier, she says to have a bedtime ritual in place. This keeps you from solely relying on the bottle to ease your child into sleep. "A nice warm bath, rocking while reading a story, and snuggling with a lovey can be great sources of comfort, security, and relaxation before bedtime, even when the bedtime bottle is no longer a part of the routine," she says.

Common Concerns

Nervous about stopping the bottle? We asked the experts to offer some extra help and support.

You're thinking: "She hates sippy cups." 

The fix: To protect her teeth, try a cup that doesn't have a solid spout. It's too similar to a nipple, says Ayoob, who says a straw is a better choice. But in the end, "the best sippy cup is the one your child will drink from happily and consistently," McAllister says. "Buy a few different types and experiment. When you find one your child likes, buy a few!"

You can also have your child use regular, non-sippy cups. Still, it might take some time for her to learn to use it by herself. Give her something thick -- like vanilla yogurt or some puréed fruit that's been thinned with a little water -- to cut back on spills, Ayoob says.

You're thinking: "She'll drink water or juice from a sippy cup -- just not milk." 

The fix: "Some children love the bottle so very much that they will be stubborn to take milk from anything else, but this is a temporary hunger strike!" Richel says.

Not willing to wait it out? Take the nipple off the bottle and offer it with a straw instead. Or start putting water in bottles and milk in cups and give your child a choice. "Tell her, 'Milk comes in a cup now. Water comes in a bottle. Which one do you want?'" Ayoob says. You can also try to make milk in a cup more tempting by flavoring it with puréed strawberries or other fruit. "A strawberry 'milkshake' might tempt her to drink from a cup," McAllister says.

You're thinking: "If she refuses the cup, she won't get enough calcium."

The fix: Don't worry about them not getting enough calcium, even if they refuse milk from a cup for several weeks. Just be sure to feed them other sources, such as cheese and yogurt. Broccoli, soy milk, and calcium-fortified orange juice are good picks, too.

You're thinking: "He's going to throw a tantrum."

The fix: Let them. Throwing a fit is hardly out of character for a toddler, and they'll get over it. "If the parent is willing to put up with a meltdown for a day or two, it will go away," Ayoob says. "Remember, if he can drink from a cup, you're not denying him liquid."

You're thinking: "She'll never fall asleep. "

The fix: Many children are used to having a bottle to settle down, but that will change. "Infants and toddlers can learn to self-soothe without the sucking that they have been accustomed to from pacifiers or bottles," Richel says. "It simply takes a bit of time. But it will happen."

How to Stop Bottle Feeding (The When, Why, and How)

So, you’re wondering if it’s time for your baby to stop bottle-feeding. It can be a tough decision to make. Babies not only take nourishment from their bottles, but they also tend to grow very attached to them.

Prolonged bottle-feeding can pose risks and make weaning difficult. But how do you know when your baby is ready to start transitioning from the bottle? And how do you make this process as stress-free as possible?

As moms, we understand that choosing to stop bottle-feeding can be an emotional step, not just for your little one but for you also. In this article, we will discuss the risks associated with prolonged bottle use, when you should start moving on from the bottle, and tips to ease the transition.

Table of Contents

  • Reasons to Stop Bottle-Feeding
  • When Should Bottle-Feeding Stop?
  • How to Stop Bottle-Feeding
  • Ditching The Bottle Without Tears

Reasons to Stop Bottle-Feeding

A bottle may seem harmless. It delivers nutrition to your baby, so how bad can it be? But prolonged bottle-feeding may pose health risks for children.

  • Increased risk of tooth decay: Nursing on a bottle nipple throughout the day means prolonged contact with milk or juice, which can lead to cavities and tooth decay (1). Giving a bedtime bottle without brushing your baby’s teeth afterward is the biggest culprit for “bottle tooth decay.” The milk pools and will sit and “eat” at the teeth all night.
  • Prolonged use linked to obesity: Babies and toddlers tend to drink more milk from a bottle than a sippy cup, and toddlers shouldn’t get more than 16-24 ounces of milk daily. Bottles can also become a comfort measure for both babies and caretakers, as it’s often instinct to offer your baby a bottle when they start crying. But milk has the same calories as food, so this calorie-dense comfort measure can quickly lead to weight gain and even obesity.
  • Iron deficiency anemia: Cow’s milk can block the absorption of iron by the body. So if your child is drinking too much milk, as happens with prolonged bottle use, some of the iron they eat isn’t going to be utilized by their body to help them grow and develop (2).
  • Could mess with their smile: Recent studies show that bottle-fed babies are twice as likely to have crooked teeth. The way babies suck on bottles can affect the development of their muscles, mouth, and palate, which could affect teeth and jaw alignment.

When Should Bottle-Feeding Stop?

The longer you wait to boot the bottle, the more challenging it will be for your child to let go as they become more independent and stubborn. It will also cause more stress and chaos for you.

Take Note

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies start weaning from the bottle by 12 months of age and for bottles to be completely phased out by 24 months (3). However, the earlier you phase them out, the better.

It’s best to introduce a sippy cup around six to nine months. Start by offering your baby expressed breast milk, formula, or one to two ounces of water in a sippy cup with their meals. It may take them a few weeks to get the hang of the sippy.

When your little one is closer to a year old and has the sippy cup all figured out, start the weaning process by replacing one regular bottle feeding per day with a sippy. One year is a great time to make the switch because you’ll also be starting to switch from formula to milk.

How to Stop Bottle-Feeding

Getting rid of the bottle can be a difficult and stressful time for both you and your baby. Here are some tips to make the transition smoother and more enjoyable for everyone involved.

  • Time it right: Make sure there aren’t any stressful events about to take place when starting the transition. Events like a move, the birth of a sibling, or a big family vacation could be too much for your little one. They may start to feel insecure and cling back to familiar objects or routines.
  • Let them choose: Make the transition a special occasion of its own, and take your toddler to the store with you so they can pick out their own cups. You can also let them choose which cup they want to use at each feeding.
  • Eliminate gradually: Introduce the sippy cup with meals around 6-9 months of age. Once they’ve mastered the sippy cup, start the transition by replacing one regular bottle feeding a day with a cup. Do that for about three days, then add on another feeding with a sippy replacement. Continue this process until all bottle-feedings have been replaced. Babies and toddlers tend to be more clingy in the morning and at bedtime, so it’s best to save those feedings for last.
  • Go cold turkey: For some children, the gradual elimination simply won’t work, and you may have to try going cold turkey. All children are different, and you have to figure out what works best for your child.
  • Use a sippy cup with a hard spout or straw: Dentists recommend using sippy cups with a hard spout or straw rather than ones that have soft spouts. Using a hard spout or straw won’t only benefit their teeth, but it will also make the transition less confusing. You could also go straight to an open cup like the Babycup or BabyBjorn Cup.
  • Have a comfort replacement: If your child’s bottle is a comfort measure for them, try finding a security replacement such as a blanket, doll, or stuffed animal. Talk to them, and try to figure out if they are truly hungry or if something else is wrong. Offer lots of hugs, cuddles, and distractions when they are upset.
  • Dilute milk in the bottle: If your little one is having a hard time letting go of the bottle, you could try diluting the milk with half water. Then gradually increase the amount of water in the bottle as the days pass until it’s just water. It’s highly likely your little one will become less interested and will start asking for the sippy cup with the yummy milk in it.
  • Offer praise: Give praise and positive reinforcement to your child when they use their cup instead of the bottle. You could even give them stickers to make the sippy cup more enticing.
  • Out of sight, out of mind: When you’re weaning, hide all other bottles from sight, so your little will be less apt to ask for one. When they have completely transitioned, you can either keep all the bottles hidden until your next baby is here, or you can throw a little celebration and have your toddler help you get rid of them. Explain that they are a “big kid” now, and they don’t need them anymore.

Ditching The Bottle Without Tears

Getting your little to let go of the bottle can be difficult, but it’s essential to wean them completely by 24 months to avoid obesity, iron deficiency, tooth decay, cavities, and other dental problems.

Introduce a sippy with meals around six to nine months, and start replacing regular bottle feedings with sippy cups around their first birthday.

Help make the transition smoother for your little by timing it right, letting them pick out their cups, diluting milk in the bottle, offering praise and alternative forms of comfort, and keeping bottles out of sight.

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Medically Reviewed by

Michelle Roth, BA, IBCLC

Michelle Roth, BA, IBCLC is a writer, editor, and board-certified lactation consultant for two busy pediatric practices. She is a former La Leche League Leader, Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, and Certified Infant Massage Instructor.

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any problems. If your breastfed baby refuses a bottle, don't worry. This is a common occurrence in many babies who are used to breastfeeding. Obviously, this can create certain difficulties for moms, especially if you need to return to work in the near future.

3 Philips Avent products to help you bottle feed:

So why is your baby refusing to bottle and crying? There are many ways to quickly and easily teach a breastfed baby to a bottle. Here are important tips on what to do when your baby refuses a bottle.

Is the baby refusing the bottle? Take a step back


If your baby cries while bottle feeding, the first thing to do is to start over and rethink your feeding approach and technique. Try the following steps when bottle feeding your baby: [1]

  1. Lift and tilt your baby's head forward. Before inserting the pacifier into the baby's mouth, make sure that the baby's head is raised and tilted over his body to avoid choking: so that the baby does not choke and have the opportunity to burp during bottle feeding.
  2. Insert the pacifier. Bring the pacifier to the baby's lips and gently guide it into the baby's mouth. In no case do not try to press the nipple on the baby's lips and try to push it into his mouth. After touching the pacifier to the baby's lips, wait for the baby to open his mouth and take the pacifier.
  3. Hold the bottle at an angle. Tilt the bottle at an angle so that the nipple is only half full. So the child can eat at his own pace.
  4. Let the baby burp during and after feeding. It can be useful for a child to burp not only after feeding, but also approximately in the middle of the process. This will help reduce gas or tummy discomfort that your baby may experience from swallowing too much air.
  5. Stop in time, do not overfeed the baby. If the baby begins to turn his head away from the bottle or closes his mouth, then he is full and you need to stop feeding.
  6. Perhaps the flow of milk from the nipple to the baby is weak or, on the contrary, too fast, so he is naughty and refuses the bottle. Try changing the nipple to a nipple with a different flow.​

Other tips if your baby refuses the bottle


If you've followed the steps above and your baby still refuses the bottle, don't worry. There are other ways to help bottle feed your baby. Here are some simple tricks you can add to your bottle feeding process. [2]

1. Remind your child about mom.

Sometimes a child can be fed by someone other than his mother - dad, grandmother or, for example, a nanny. If your baby fusses while bottle feeding, try wrapping the bottle in something that smells like mommy, like a piece of clothing or some fabric. This will make it easier to feed the baby when the mother is not around.

2. Try to maintain skin contact while bottle feeding.

Some babies need contact with their mother, so try bottle feeding while leaning against you. However, some babies are better at bottle feeding when they are in the exact opposite position than when they are breastfed. For example, there is a position with bent legs. Lay the child on your bent knees, facing you, pointing the child's legs towards your stomach. During feeding, the baby will be able to look at you and contact you in this way. If your baby refuses a bottle, experiment to see which works best.

3. Move while feeding.

Sometimes all it takes to get your baby to take the bottle is a little wiggle or walk. The next time your baby starts crying while bottle feeding, try moving around a little rhythmically to calm him down.

4. Try changing the milk temperature.

If the baby still does not want to take the bottle, check if the milk in the bottle is too hot or too cold. Before feeding, put some warm breast milk on the inside of your wrist to check the temperature. Milk should be warm, but if it seemed hot to you, just place the bottle for a short while under a stream of cold water.

Choosing the right bottle for your baby If you plan to combine bottle feeding with breastfeeding, it is advisable to choose bottles with a nipple that will have a wide base as the bottle will grip closer to the breast.

Also pay attention to the fact that the nipple is firm and flexible, the child must make an effort to drink from the bottle, as well as from the breast. Give preference to nipples with an anti-colic valve that vents air out of the bottle.

​Natural bottle allows you to combine breast and bottle feeding. 83.3% of babies switch from a Natural bottle to breastfeeding and back.*

If you choose a bottle for artificial feeding, traditional bottles are fine, but it is desirable that the nipple is made of a hypoallergenic material, such as silicone, has an anti-colic valve and did not stick together when bottle fed. In case your baby spit up often, then use special bottles with anti-colic and anti-reflux valve, which reduces the risk of spitting up and colic.​​

Bottle with unique AirFree valve reduces the risk of colic, gas and spitting up. With this bottle, you can feed your baby in an upright or semi-upright position to reduce spitting up. Due to the fact that the nipple is filled with milk and not air during feeding, the baby does not swallow air, which means that feeding will be more comfortable.

Both bottles are indispensable if you want to breastfeed, bottle feed or just bottle feed your baby.

“My baby refuses to breastfeed but bottle feeds – help!”

Sometimes a baby gets used to bottle feeding and refuses to breastfeed. Therefore, it is important to use bottles that are suitable for combining breastfeeding with bottle feeding. If, nevertheless, you are faced with the fact that the child refuses to take the breast, try using silicone nipple covers to make the transition from the bottle to the breast and back more imperceptible.

Remember that if you want to combine breastfeeding and bottle feeding, it is worth waiting at least a month before offering a bottle, so that you are lactating and have time to get used to each other and develop a breastfeeding regimen.​

Breastfeed and bottle feed your baby with pleasure


Remember that it takes a while for your baby to get used to bottle feeding. This is completely normal. If you have to go to work, be sure to set aside enough time to bottle train your baby beforehand.

Remember that every child is different, so what works for one may not work for another. With a little time and patience, you will find out what works best for your baby when he refuses a bottle.

You will identify your child's unique needs. However, if your baby still refuses the bottle after all the steps above, check with your pediatrician.

Articles and tips from Philips Avent

References:


*O.L. Lukoyanova, T.E. Borovik, I.A. Belyaeva, G.V. Yatsyk; NTsZD RAMS; 1st Moscow State Medical University THEM. Sechenova, "The use of modern technological methods to maintain successful breastfeeding", RF, 10/02/2012 3 llli.org - The Baby Who Doesn't Nurse

llli.org - Introducing a Bottle to a Breastfed Baby

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Baby and bottle feeding: what mothers need to know

For a baby, nothing is more important than mother's affection and care, but there are times when bottle feeding a small child is not a whim, but a necessity. From his mother's breast, he receives that important tactile contact, the most important in infancy. Keep this in mind when switching to bottle feeding or full feeding. Continue to show maximum love and care, the baby should feel the warmth of mother's skin, her smell and hands.
The main task is not to make a mistake while getting to know the bottle. Otherwise, the child will not love her and refuse to eat.

Should I be bottle trained?

When a mother has the opportunity to feed her child naturally from the first days, they do not become attached to a bottle with a nipple. Until the moment when complementary foods are introduced into the diet, mother's milk replaces them with food and drink. In addition, breastfeeding is very calming for mother and baby.

But there are various reasons why you still need to use a bottle in feeding your baby:

  • The baby does not breastfeed, refuses to breastfeed;
  • meals on the road and long journeys;
  • early start to work;
  • there is a shortage of breast milk;
  • contraindications for putting the baby to the breast, which can, for example, occur if the mother is sick and she has been prescribed drugs that are contraindicated for the baby.

If you decide to switch to a mixed diet, be sure to contact your pediatrician. He will assign a temporary measure of transition to a bottle or a permanent one. You should not do this if there is a possibility of breastfeeding, and the doctor does not establish any problems.

Some babies are bottle fed from infancy. They lack the sucking of their mother's breasts, as most nipples involve squeezing out the mixture through pressure. And the nipple of the mother’s breast passes milk heavily, it needs to be “pulled out”, and this becomes a valuable ritual. He must be present in a small life. Those children who are put to bed with a bottle are harder to wean from it, because of the exit from the comfort zone.

If there are no problems with breastfeeding, the mother has enough milk, then the bottle can be used as a drinker (give water when it is time to add it to the diet, juice or compote). This is a fairly common case. And it is quite natural to use a bottle in order to quickly learn to drink from a glass, plus it helps when traveling, on walks.

Without an urgent need, do not switch to mixed feeding 24/7. Breastfeeding is not forever, and it is worth enjoying the closeness of the baby as much as possible, slowly he will no longer need help. You need to use a bottle, but only as a way to develop and quench your thirst, when the child can already add this to the diet. But if there is no other way out, then after discussing with the doctor, and following his recommendations, you need to choose the right bottle.

Which baby bottle to choose

Most mothers don't know what bottle to buy for their newborn. Whether your baby will be full, satisfied and calm depends on this choice. When a baby is taught to bottle, he does not want to accept the innovation. And getting used to it is not always as easy as it seems. In many ways, it all depends on the convenience of the bottle and appearance. Feeding from a container with a nipple should be enjoyable. It is worth observing a number of conditions due to which bottle feeding will become comfortable for the baby and his mother. So, what bottle are we looking for for a newborn in stores or pharmacies?

  1. The nipple on the container should imitate the mother's nipple as much as possible. And not only in appearance, but also in the principle of sucking. When the baby suckles the breast, he makes an effort to get food, the nipple has a different principle. But now there are foreign branded companies that create a bottle that is as similar as possible to breast sucking.
  2. When feeding, the bottle should minimize the entry of air into the baby's body, this will reduce the occurrence of colic.
  3. It should be comfortable for the baby's hand. Since if he is not comfortable holding it, he will refuse it without even trying.
  4. "Dishes" should not replace emotional and tactile contact with mother.

It is very difficult to choose a bottle now, there is a large assortment in stores - eyes run wide. There are several types of bottles depending on their material:

  • Glass - have a long shelf life. They are chemical safe. But heavy enough. In addition, a child loves to throw everything on the floor at the age of six months to 1.5, there is a risk of breaking such a container. Therefore, carefully check the density of the glass.
  • Plastic - these bottles are safe because it is quite difficult to break them. They are light and more pleasant to the touch for the child (in the case of high-quality plastic). However, when buying, pay attention to chemical compounds (smells, taste, color), try to take it in a certified store, ask for a certificate, do not be shy.

Can't decide which bottle to take for your newborn? It is best to buy a pair: one for the mixture, the other for the water. The shape of the bottle can also be different: with a narrow, wide neck, anti-colic bottles, which are distinguished by a curved shape (their task is not to let air in), bottles that replace the mother's nipple. The bottle may have a different volume for a newborn, 120 ml is enough. Over time, it is worth buying a larger bottle, about 250 ml. Pay attention to the division scale in millimeters.

It is very important to choose a bottle with a comfortable nipple. It's a little easier. Nipples are: silicone and latex. It is better to buy different nipples, as the baby may not accept one of them. Choose the size based on age. Ask a consultant, but most often this is indicated on the packaging.

We combine breastfeeding and a bottle

Try to breastfeed your baby. If this is not possible, then special formulas should be used to feed young children, which are enriched with vitamins and minerals important for the body, as well as components of breast milk, such as nucleotides and prebiotics.

But there is also a way to mix breastfeeding with bottle formula. Most often this is done in case of a shortage of milk or for feeding while traveling. It is worth discussing the nutrition of the baby with the doctor first. If he advises switching to a mixed diet, then you should understand how to properly combine breast and bottle.

Starting with the chest. Offer to breastfeed before giving formula. Do not shove or force, if the baby does not eat, wait a couple of minutes. Try breastfeeding again, if that doesn't work, formula feed. If the baby took only a couple of grams of milk, then this is already good, they bring invaluable benefits.

Spoon feeding. Try to spoon feed your baby, otherwise he will quickly get used to the nipple and will not take the breast. If you can't feed from a spoon, then pick up a nipple with a small flow so that the baby tries to get his food, so he does not wean from the breast.

Progressive formula feeding. Don't rush your baby to eat formula. You need to start with a small amount. On the first day, it is advisable to give 10.0 ml of milk formula and add the same amount every day until you reach the indicated volume. But try not to stuff your child with unusual food, if he doesn’t eat - put it aside. If breast milk remains, supplement with formula after breastfeeding.

Watch for reactions. The baby may not like it, he may become upset or constipated, allergic, he may often spit up. In this case, you need to remove the mixture from the diet and visit a doctor.

Feed with one formula. It is undesirable to feed with several mixtures at once, as the baby gets used to a new product for a long time, and even got used to the bottle.

Feed by the hour. Follow the time and age regimen, combined feeding requires this.

How to bottle feed properly

The basics, know how to bottle feed properly. It depends on this whether the child will choke, how often he will be tormented by hiccups, regurgitation, colic due to the wrong position. Also, it is important to follow all the rules of hygiene. Microbes or infection should not get into the mixture.

  • Disinfection. The bottle must be disinfected. It must be thoroughly washed, each part separately. Including all utensils for preparing the mixture. After cleaning, boil in water for 5 minutes. Spread on a clean surface (new towel, diaper, etc.)
  • Boil water. Boil water in a clean saucepan (preferably a separate saucepan for the baby). Let it boil for 5 minutes. And then let it cool down to 37-40 degrees.
  • Manual. We read the instructions carefully. It tells the dosage. It is necessary to accurately measure the right amount of water and dry mix. The most correct ratio is 1 tablespoon of the dry mixture for every 60 ml. water.
  • Preparing the mixture. For preparation, warm boiled water is poured into the bottle, then filled with the mixture. This is done with a measuring spoon and a knife. We scoop up the mixture and remove the slide with a knife. Then pour into water and mix thoroughly. Do not forget to check the temperature of the resulting mixture.

How to properly bottle feed: fixing the position

It is important to understand how to position your baby when bottle feeding. The ideal option is to keep the baby lying in the crib or in your arms. If the child is already in the crib, then do not take him in your arms, you can frighten away the one who finds sleep. Raise his head (put it on a thin pillow or put your hand and give a bottle. It’s better to hold it yourself, it can roll away or the baby will choke. But this rule is suitable for small babies.
An older baby can be seated in a highchair. To avoid colic, tilt the bottle so that there is no air in the nipple. After feeding lying down, hold the baby straight (in a column) for 5-10 minutes, this is done so that excess air comes out.

Common problems

Even learning how to bottle feed correctly, how to prepare formula and many other nuances, problems can arise. The task of the mother is not to be nervous. The baby feels your psychological state. Try to calm down and understand that many mothers face these troubles. Just go to the forums. What can happen:

Baby won't take a bottle

Baby needs an emotional connection with his mother during feeding. When breastfeeding, this happens, by itself. But the bottle is more difficult. To create this connection, contact is necessary: ​​communication, stroking, it’s good to press the child to yourself, only carefully so as not to make him uncomfortable and not frighten off sleep. In addition, during bottle feeding, the baby can create a strong bond not only with his mother, but also with other breastfeeding, such as father or grandmother. But it happens that he does not take a bottle from the first day. Don't sound the alarm. He shows his disagreement with the changes, or maybe he's just not hungry. Do not worry ahead of time and change your plans for going to work

So, what to do if the baby refuses the bottle. To begin with, it is worth passing the furrows of government to the father or grandmother. Since the baby is very keenly smells the mother's breast. A few layers of clothing won't help either. Refuses - because he expects to be breastfed and substitutes do not suit him.

Start accustoming three weeks before the full transition to a mixed diet. It is desirable to be at least a month old. Continue to breastfeed, only occasionally offer a bottle. Then mix gradually. If necessary, then replace. It pays to be patient, this is not a quick process. Empty the nipple of air before each bottled meal. So the baby will not have colic. Feed in the correct position, but this is a purely individual matter. Not everyone is suitable for standard feeding technique.

Don't expect a child to starve. In a good mood, innovations will be easier for him to accept. The shape and appearance of the bottle also plays an important role.

Stopped breastfeeding after a bottle

WHO warns breastfeeding mothers not to overuse nipples. And feeding with them can pose a threat to breastfeeding

The technique for obtaining food from the breast is special. The baby works hard to suck milk out of the nipple. It places the mother's nipple deep in the oral cavity tightly covering the areola, inflates the cheeks and creates a vacuum. This vacuum plays a major role in proper breast sucking. Food flows out of the nipple differently, you just need to press a little and the effort decreases, another muscle group is involved here, and the location of the nipple in the mouth. Sucking on a nipple is somewhat like sucking through a "straw tube" from a cocktail. Of course, having received an easy way to get food, a more complex one can anger the child, and he will refuse to breastfeed. This is why pacifier sucking has the risk of giving up the breast too early.

There is a way out, these are bottles that are as close as possible to the sensation of sucking at the breast. It also becomes vacuum and the baby retains a single mechanism. But even here there is a risk of rejection.

From the side of biology, the innate rhythm of feeding a baby is special. A newborn during feeding simultaneously combines sucking, breathing and swallowing. It's all about the larynx, which is located high in their throat. But as it increases, it drops to a normal position. So, every case is purely individual.

How to wean from a bottle

Each baby develops at his own pace, so there is no exact age limit for giving up a bottle. Therefore, it is necessary to observe, first of all, the physical readiness of the baby to say goodbye to the bottle. And then help him a little. When to refuse a bottle:

  1. Baby sits by himself;
  2. Knows how to hold a spoon and what it is for;
  3. Eats with a spoon;
  4. Drinks independently from a cup;
  5. Shows interest in what adults eat;
  6. Has teeth and chews harder food (banana, bread).

It won't take long to find a way to wean your baby from the bottle when several signs from the list match. This means that the baby is already ready to step into adulthood with a spoon and fork. Most often, all skills are formed closer to the year. By the age of 2 years, the physiological need for sucking disappears. But if this does not happen, help the baby. Or the reason is an emergency in which the baby needs to be weaned from the bottle (for example, a trip in which it is quite difficult to sterilize the bottle and make formula). Therefore, if the child does not want to be separated, he will have to help. The main thing is not to injure the child, but to treat this important task with care.

The ideal period of time will be stability and calm. It is necessary to give up getting rid of the habit when:

  • He got a brother or sister,
  • There are problems in the family,
  • The child has a period of adaptation to something new,
  • You are moving,
  • Get used to the crib and the potty, you should not get rid of the habit.

    • During emotional outbursts, it acts as a sedative. And rejection will lead to stress. Everything should be as calm as possible.

    If a child is feeding from a bottle and sucking on a pacifier, then it is absolutely impossible to refuse both at once. Everything must be consistent. You need to remove the bottle and replace it with a mug and a plate. The pacifier will only be used for falling asleep. After 3-4 weeks, you can get rid of the pacifier. But this must also be done gradually.

    How to wean your baby off the bottle during the day. Eliminate her first at lunchtime. Buy cutlery, light dishes with bright pictures, cartoons and stories, this will attract the attention of the baby. Give drinks from a special mug or sippy cup. The drinker looks like a bottle, but instead of a nipple it has a silicone spout - it drinks and does not spill. At the same time, there are no sucking movements in this. They are also called non-spill mugs. They are convenient to take with you, as they have a protective cap.

    If the baby demands “a favorite bottle with a nipple”, it is worth switching his attention to bright dishes and offering to repeat after his mother. Have breakfast together, kids love to repeat after adults.

    When a child is over 2 years old, competitions can be held to see who can drink more or faster from a mug. The kid must win. He will associate positive emotions with this new dish and will love it. But try not to play too often. Because food is not a game. And the child should understand this from childhood.

    There is another trick to add a little bit of salt or diluted milk to the bottle, and tasty milk to the new cup. Children choose the container in which the drink is tastier.

    How can I wean my baby off the bottle at night?

    It is easier to wean your baby off the bottle during the day. Since they love to learn everything new, to explore. But at night, the pacifier is part of an important bedtime ritual that relaxes and gives a feeling of protection.

    For a baby up to a year and a couple of months after, maternal love is very important. It is worth sitting next to the baby, stroking him. You can sing lullabies instead of eating with a bottle.

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