How to transition from bottle to breast?

CatherinedeBourgh · 23/04/2025 22:07

You need to work with a lactation consultant. It's hard, but can be done, might involve a tube initially to make the flow easier. The problem is that she's used to the easier flow from the bottle, so she has to be trained to make more of an effort on the breast.

Mulledjuice · 23/04/2025 22:07

It's not impossible. Are you in the UK? Worth finding a la leche league or other ICBLC

Do lots of skin to skin. Keep offering the breast regularly. Squeeze some milk onto her lips.

Have you been expressing milk or giving formula?

Original poster

Mams8989 · 24/04/2025 00:59

CatherinedeBourgh · 23/04/2025 22:07

You need to work with a lactation consultant. It's hard, but can be done, might involve a tube initially to make the flow easier. The problem is that she's used to the easier flow from the bottle, so she has to be trained to make more of an effort on the breast.

Yes now she doesn’t want to work hard 😞. Will try finger feeding. Thank you 😊

OP posts:

Original poster

Mams8989 · 24/04/2025 01:00

Mulledjuice · 23/04/2025 22:07

It's not impossible. Are you in the UK? Worth finding a la leche league or other ICBLC

Do lots of skin to skin. Keep offering the breast regularly. Squeeze some milk onto her lips.

Have you been expressing milk or giving formula?

Yes , I am pumping currently. Will try to find nearby groups. Thank you🙂

OP posts:

Newlywed24 · 25/04/2025 11:06

I won't offer advice as I think that's best from the professionals but just here to say it's definitely possible.
My son was premature so too sleepy and no strength to breastfeed, but with continuing to offer breast first then give bottle , we managed to latch with nipple shields until he was 5 weeks old, we then managed to latch without them.
I won't lie, it has always been inconsistent so some days he still only wants a bottle but by 11 weeks he was more than capable of breastfeeding he's just a very strong willed boy who doesn't always want to. We did have delayed tongue tie division at 9 weeks and some torticolis that we saw a craniosacral therapist for at 10 weeks though so it was quite the journey. But 100% worth it if it's something you want to try.

BunnyRuddington · 27/04/2025 08:04

Have you managed to find any RL help yet @Mams8989?

Cyclistmumgrandma · 27/04/2025 08:54

I had this problem with first baby. He was in hospital for several days with me pumping and bottle feeding to monitor his intake. To get back to the breast I was given a syringe with a small silicone extension tube. I needed to express some milk and fill the syringe, then put him to the breast and slide the tube into the side of his mouth and squirt a little milk in. This kept him sucking until the let down kicked in. It only took 24 hours of this before he was happy to suckle. Good luck!

Original poster

Mams8989 · 20/05/2025 17:39

Thank you everyone for valuable suggestions. I will try all the tips. Hopefully it works 🤞

OP posts:

Lullabycrickets23 · 22/05/2025 17:35

Mams8989 · 23/04/2025 22:04

My DD is 8 days old and due to bad latch she lost some weight. I had to bottle feed her. Now, I want her back on breast but she refuses completely. I think it’s very late for me now to get her back on breast. Did any one else faced this? Please share your suggestions

I am a breastfeeding consultant!
It is absolutely possible to go back on the breast! She is only 8 days old and BF takes 6/8 weeks to establish anyway!
One suggestion could be to use nipple shields for a while, as a Transition.
another possibility could be to fee her with a little cup (look for cup feeding) that works well and can help baby “forget” the bottle!
This is not exhaustive and you could try different things.
For a chat and some advice try and ring The breastfeeding helpline 0300 100 0212
Or see the Breastfeeding Network website that has good resources, as well as La leche league!