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Teaching your breastfed baby to take a bottle.

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  • Ellyn Satter
  • Newborn / Infant
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  • Teaching your breastfed baby to take a bottle
Mom-Baby-bottle

You may be more comfortable if your baby knows how to take a bottle. By the time he is 4 to 6 weeks old you will both be good at breastfeeding. Teaching him to suck from the bottle won’t confuse him about breastfeeding.

Plan on at least 10 practice sessions before your baby takes even a few swallows. He has a lot to learn. The rubber nipple doesn’t feel like a breast nipple. To make the rubber nipple work, he has to suck and swallow in a whole different way. If there is formula in the bottle, it tastes different from breastmilk.

Here’s how to get ready for the lesson:

  • Put a small amount of breastmilk or formula in the bottle. Let a little drip onto the nipple.
  • Pick out one type of nipple, formula, and bottle and use them all the time. Don’t switch around. Each switch requires more learning.
  • Have someone besides Mom offer the bottle. If Mom is there, your baby will expect to breastfeed.
  • Have your baby be kind of hungry but not so hungry he is desperate to eat.
Dad-Baby-Bottle

Here’s what to do at each lesson:

  • Touch the nipple to his cheek or lip and let him open his mouth.
  • If he doesn’t open his mouth, wait to try again later.
  • After he opens his mouth, place the nipple gently in his mouth. Let him decide what to do with it. Don’t wiggle it.
  • He might not do anything. He might close his mouth around the nipple. He might try to suck. He might give you his signs for stopping.
  • Do what he wants. Stop right away when he shows you he wants to stop.
  • Each time, he will do a little more with the nipple.

Don’t get pushy or it will slow his learning. After a few lessons, he will get something out of the nipple. After a while, he will learn to suck, swallow, and take enough from the bottle to at least get by until Mom gets home.

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    Side Lying Hold

    Side-Lying Hold

    1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
    2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
    3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
    4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
    5. Reverse for the left breast.

    This hold is useful when:

    • You had a C-section
    • You want to rest while baby feeds
    • You are breastfeeding in the middle of the night
    • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
    Wooden carved fork resting on the edge

    Cross-Cradle Hold

    1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
    2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
    3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
    4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
    5. Reverse for the left breast.

    This hold is useful when:

    • Your baby is premature
    • Your baby has a weak suck
    • Your baby needs help to stay latched
    • Your baby needs extra head support
    • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
    Woman with shopping bag

    Clutch or “Football” Hold

    1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
    2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
    3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
    4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
    5. Reverse for the left breast.

    This hold is useful when:

    • You had a C-section
    • You have large breasts
    • You have flat or inverted nipples
    • You have a strong milk let-down
    • You are breastfeeding twins
    • Your baby likes to feed in an upright position
    • Your baby has reflux
    • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
    Cartoon-style abstract bird silhouette

    Cradle Hold

    1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
    2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
    3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
    4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
    5. Reverse for the left breast.

    This hold is useful when:

    • Your baby needs help latching on
    • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
    Abstract geometric shapes in pastel

    Laid-Back Hold

    1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
    2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
    3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

    This hold is useful when:

    • Your baby is placed on your chest right after birth
    • You have a strong milk let-down
    • You have large breasts
    • You and your baby are comfortable in this position