Inroducing formula and bottles to a 4 month old breastfed baby

[lardylegs]

Hello! Now that my baby is 4 months old, I'd like to introduce a bottle of formula at bedtime (and maybe get a night out, at long last!!).
I gave it a try the other night, but she was having none of it!
If any of you have any tips on how to do it, I'd love to hear from you!
Also, would it be best to make the bottle (assuming she takes to it!) her bedtime routine then, or could I give her the odd bottle at night or even during the day, while still breastfeeding?
My husband and I are having a couple of days away together just after Xmas, so I'm thinking ahead to that as baby will be left with my mum.
Thanks!

[agalch]

Sorry no advice as my 3 bf babies refused the bottle point blank.So i had no big nights out for a while.Have you tried with EBM instead of formula?

Bumping for you for someone who knows what they are talking about.

[taylormama]

hi - try to get someone else to give the bottle -she can smell the breast milk on you. Keep persevering with it - do it at the same time each day or evening ... it can take a while.

I found the best bottles were the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature bottles as they make the baby latch on in a way that is very similar to the breast. Also warm the teat under hot running water as this may help - she is used to a warm breast not a cold teat.

I would also try EBM first and then when she is taking the bottle, add formula gradually to the EBM over a few days to get her to take a bottle of formula.

Good luck.

[sandj]

I'd agree with taylormama.

I tried with EBM first, then introduced formula at a later stage and it worked fine. We were also advised to use Aptimal First as its apparently the closest to BM...

Good Luck!

[shish]

I'm really struggling - have been for months with my 4 and a half month old.. Let me know how you get and any tips you may get from anywhere else