How to get baby to take a bottle?

[Cindy1802]

Baby is 5 weeks old, and EBF - but not for lack of trying! We have been trying since he was 2 weeks old to get him to take a bottle, but really struggling.

For context, I'm happy that BF is going well as I do want to primarily BF - however I do want to be able to go to the gym, go for lunch with a friend at the weekend, take my elder son to football, and it's getting me worried that I won't be able to do any of those things if baby just will not take it.

We've tried breastmilk, formula, offering it when he's hungry and when he's not. Daddy is the one who gives it, not me. We keep him more upright so the flow isn't too fast. He has randomly taken it, maybe 3 or 4 times in the last 3 weeks. But most of the time he kicks off and screams blue murder until daddy stops trying to offer it!

Any tips?! Or success stories of those who have had a similar experience?

What worked for us was…

Try getting him in his usual breast feeding pose, starting breastfeeding, then quickly swapping in the bottle (keeping him in the same pose).

Once he’s more used to taking it you can move to upright pace feeding or his other parent can do the same breastfeeding position but with the bottle.

Also, if he shows any signs of being disgruntled stop the bottle immediately for a few seconds/minute and wait until he’s calm before carrying on.

Ooo that's a tactic I've not seen before - I'll give it a go!