Before having your baby, there were probably some challenges you expected. Perhaps you were prepared for the nap time struggle, or you were ready for months of teething, but did you ever think you would find it difficult to get your hungry baby to eat? Maybe not. Many parents do not expect this challenge, and when their baby refuses to eat, they are unsure how to manage.
This problem most commonly occurs when a breastfed baby is given a bottle. The baby has become accustomed to eating with mom, and when someone else gives a bottle, it’s refused. This can be frustrating for new moms. You love your baby, but sometimes you need help. Sometimes you need someone else to do the feeding. So, how do you overcome this problem?
Here are five tips for winning the battle over the bottle:
1.) Make bottle feedings a regular part of your routine. Have someone regularly help you with feedings so baby gets used to the bottle and learns to trust people other than you.
2.) Give the person feeding your baby one of your shirts and have them lay it across his or her chest. Your scent will calm baby and give a sense of familiarity.
3.) Try switching the brand of the bottle. Sometimes just switching the nipple helps baby with bottle feedings!
4.) Mix breast milk with formula. If you are trying to increase bottle feedings to help your baby transition to formula, try mixing the two to start. This will ease the change for your baby and help with the taste.
5.) Learn to pick your battles! This lesson is hard, but it’s important. If your baby is hungry, your baby will eat. Forcing the issue will just increase frustration (for both of you)! If the bottle gets refused, let it go! Your baby will eat from the bottle when he or she is truly hungry. We promise!