Boob to Bottle

Keisha - posted on 03/16/2010

There really isnt a time or age when its easiest. I started introducing my kids to the bottle within the first couple months, so that that I could nurse and my husband would be able to feed them as well. I used the Playtex Drop-in and Ventaire bottles with the wide mouth and soft nipples so that it would feel more like they were nursing. It was very easy for them to go back and forth. You could start to pump and feed it to him in a bottle (you may have to try out a couple to see which ones he likes). If you want to completely take him off breastmilk, just gradually pump less and less frequently and start supplementing with formula.

Lesley - posted on 03/16/2010

I don't really think think there is a best or easiest age - when you're ready I think is the best answer to that. As for how without your boobs becoming engorged, Liane's advice is good. Replace one feed every 2/3 days and see how you go. If you feel your boobs are hardening, express to release build up and lengthen the amount of days before you switch another feed. Some babies switch no problem, others take a few days to get used to the bottle. Also, it's worth considering which feeds to switch first. Save the best for last (for me, the bedtime one). The last breast feed can be a little sad. I cried.

Sara - posted on 03/15/2010

I stopped brestfeeding my daughter at 3 months she didn't have a problem with the bottle just the formula is you still want to give him berast milk think I would just pump it in to a bottle and give it to him that way so he is gets use to using that a daddy can feed him to I would get the bottle that is close to the beast as posable so he is not confused. My daughter had to take bottles at 2 months old because I went back to work so the switching was not bad. The reason I stopped was I couldn't get enough out for her while I was at work if I could of I think I would still be breastfeeding her and its the best for them as soon as I stopped that's when she got sick to be prapared for when you do stop and don't be worried it happens to all breastfeed babies and she is now 8.5 months old

Geraldine - posted on 03/15/2010

I had to introduce my son to the bottle at 4 and half months as my milk was drying up from stress. But it still was a hard process. i tried many different bottles and found the only ones he liked was the tommie tippe wide neck ones. They the most similar to breast u can get. I then still had issues getting him to take it. I had to lay him down on the floor and feed him so he couldnt smell the small amount of milk i did have. I didnt breastfeed him once on the bottle as i didnt want him to get any more confused than he already was. Not a good idea. Slowly introduce one bottle a day and keep comtinuing. Be persistant is the best advice i can give. I took tablets to dry my milk up. Goodluck

Liane - posted on 03/15/2010

I tried to introduce a bottle to my now 8.5 month old son when he was around 6 months old. He absolutely refused to take it. I've tried only a handfull more times and still no luck. If you can get him to take a bottle then you would want to try replacing one feeding every several days to a week with a bottle. That way you should avoid having engorged breasts. I've given up on trying to get my son to take the bottle (my third child btw) and have moved on to introducing the sippy cup instead. He still is breastfed but will drink water out of his cup. 6 months is old enough to use a cup so if he won't take a bottle for you, you may want to try a sippy cup. Good luck to you!





Both of my daughters had bottles introduced prior to 4 months of age. One stopped bf'ing as a result and the other had no trouble switching between breast and bottle. This is only my experience so I'm sure there are other mother who may have had more success in switching to a bottle at such a late stage.