As promised, we return to the topic of transitioning from breastfeeding to bottle feeding and how this process affects the baby, mother, and the rest of the family.
To return to this topic, let's start with the experience of the first bottle. It's a unique situation; we know nothing about it, let alone how the baby will react. We decided to find out a little more about this experience.
We believe that the mother may become nervous, which is perfectly normal. If the baby rejects the bottle, we can ask the father or someone else to give it to them. We mustn't panic. The first few days can be confusing for the baby, who may find it strange, but over time, they will get used to it.
One tip we found: you can give your baby a bottle with breast milk. Although your baby may find it strange, due to the temperature or smell, it will taste the same. If you want to switch from breast milk to formula, you must be patient and trust that your little one will eventually get used to it and their taste buds will come to like it.
In addition to this main tip, here are some others we found that can complement the first bottle-feeding experience:
- At the end of the bottle, we should place the baby in an upright and comfortable position to burp;
- Sharing bottle feeding time with the father is an added bonus, as it provides an opportunity to strengthen the bond between the baby and the father, and the little one begins to get used to being fed by other people;
- Always sterilise bottles and teats, following the instructions carefully.
- It is essential to follow the preparation and storage instructions if you are using formula milk.
- Ask your doctor for help in choosing the most suitable formula milk.
- Any milk left in the bottle should be discarded as soon as possible or within an hour.
- Hold the bottle in the middle and angle it so that the teat is always full of milk, ensuring that your baby swallows as little air as possible;
- When bottle feeding, we can hold the baby's head with our forearm and rest our elbow on the arm of the sofa;
- Once the bib is in place, we can shake the bottle and make sure the temperature is right by testing it with a few drops on the inside of our wrist;
- Soon, we will be able to understand signs such as ‘I'm full’ or ‘I'm hungry’;
- We should look for the best teat so that the baby feels comfortable;
- Finding a quiet place is essential for these moments;
- A positive sign is when air bubbles start to appear along the wall of the bottle. If not, we can always loosen the ring a little and hold the teat.
Bottle feeding may sometimes not go so smoothly, so we have found some solutions for certain situations that may arise:
- The baby may choke, which leads us to consider the speed at which the milk is coming out of the bottle — squeezing the teat may be enough;
- The baby may not burp in the position they are in, so it is necessary to try another position or get them to burp halfway through the feed;
- If it is difficult to extract the milk, we can opt for rubber teats, which are more flexible and softer;
- If bottle feeding is taking forever, we can slightly loosen the ring that holds the teat so that the milk flows out more quickly.
As we mentioned in part 1 of this topic, some babies may find it easy to adapt quickly to the bottle, while others may not. We believe that, regardless of how well or poorly the adaptation goes, there must always be a gradual transition. Explain what will happen to the baby (even if we think it is not worth it), mentioning that they will start to eat like grown-ups, but that their parents will always be there for them. A slow replacement, starting with small meals, will be the best option. In the case of a mixed transition, alternating between breastfeeding and bottle feeding is essential. Asking for help is also perfectly normal, whether it is someone to give the bottle or even a specialist. Small but important steps.
In our research, we found an example of a 15-day transition to bottle feeding (please note that this is only an example and may not be suitable for all situations):
- In the first 3-4 days, we can replace the afternoon feed with a bottle of breast milk;
- In the following 3-4 days, the midday and mid-afternoon feeds can be replaced with bottles of infant formula (recommended by the doctor) for the little one;
- In the next 3-4 days, we can include the bottle at lunchtime;
- In the following days, there may already be better acceptance and we can have all meals — except the first or last — with a bottle.
Indeed, it is a process that requires time and understanding. It is an important phase that must be carried out in the best possible way, where the baby feels comfortable, the mother is reassured by the little one's reaction, and the whole family is confident about the entire process.
We hope we have been helpful. From our perspective, we understand that it is a challenge, but we know that our little ones will adapt, mothers will be at ease, and the family will be very happy.
What about you? We want you to tell us how you made this transition. Were there any setbacks? Did it take a while to accept? We want to know your experience. We want to know your opinion.
