12 quick tips for introducing the bottle

Getting baby to feed:

1. Pop a little milk on it — Putting a bit of breastmilk or formula on the nipple of a bottle can sometimes create a feeding response from a reluctant baby.
2. Get the sucking started — By touching the nipple of a bottle against the roof of Baby’s mouth, you can help initiate the sucking reflex, which could help get a feeding started.
3. A bottle that’s like a breast — Sometimes you need to change up which bottle you’re using. The Closer to Nature® Bottle from Tommee Tippee is designed to mimic the breast. It has a soft, silicone nipple that elongates and flexes while feeding, and has a breast-like shape that allows Baby to latch on easily.
   
   It can take a few bottles to find the one that Baby likes, especially when transitioning from breastfeeding. When Baby changes things up on you, try to stay flexible. The Closer to Nature® Bottle might be a good place to start.
4. Let someone else feed — Feeding time is a fantastic time for bonding. Letting someone else feed Baby will help them create those same lasting bonds that you get to make, especially with some skin-to-skin touching and held eye contact.
5. Let Baby play — Using a plastic nipple is a learning process, so Baby might need some time to get familiar with it. Once, Baby does though, they will be ecstatic when they discover that there’s food in there!
6. Watch for cues — Adults think of a meal as all the food on their plate, but a full bottle isn’t necessarily the right amount of food for Baby. Keep an eye on those feeding cues to know when Baby has had their fill and you can help prevent colic symptoms from developing.
7. Pump instead of feeding — When Baby is using the bottle, it’s usually a good idea to pump at the same time you’d typically be feeding. This will help keep your body in a routine of comfortably producing breast milk.

Prepping the bottle:

8. Avoid the microwave — Something like an Electric Bottle Warmer — an appliance that just warms bottles — might seem extravagant, but there is logic behind it. The microwave heats liquid unevenly, which can create “hot spots,” leaving a bit of milk scalding hot while the rest of the bottle feels cool to the touch.
9. Check the temperature — When preparing a bottle with formula, you use boiled water so that it is sterile, but you aren’t brewing coffee. Make sure it’s not too hot for Baby. You’ll want to wait for the sterilized water to cool, then do “the wrist test” to check that the formula is at body temperature.
10. Wash, wash, then wash again — It’s always a good idea to keep your hands and bottles clean, especially before making a batch of formula or warming up a bottle. Baby thinks breastmilk and formula are delicious, and bacteria agrees!
11. No need to mix — Breast milk can be stored for a while, especially in the freezer. Formula needs to be discarded once made. Mixing the two will likely result in a lot of thrown out breast milk.
12. 12. A better bottle — One common cause of colic is discomfort from ingesting milk that has air bubbles in it. The Anti-Colic bottle from Tommee Tippee features an innovative design that traps air in the base of the bottle, bypassing the milk. It also has their Closer to Nature® nipple for better latching.

A better bottle makes for a better feeding experience and that means one happy baby. Tap the button below to learn more about The Anti-Colic bottle from Tommee Tippee.