Bottle Feeding Tips: A Guide for Struggling Mamas

When your baby won’t latch on to your feeding bottle, what do you do? Read this article because we have some bottle feeding tips that might solve your woes.

Feeding your baby is one of the most time-consuming tasks of a new mama. But it’s not always easy, especially if you are bottle-feeding. In addition, it can be frustrating or scary when your baby refuses to latch onto a feeding bottle.

But before you panic, remember that this is more common than you think. So, just like always, we are here to help you. Here’s how you can tackle some of the usual issues when bottle feeding your precious little one.

Bottle Feeding Tips & Tricks For Every Problem

Problem #1: False Hunger Alarm

Maybe the baby is not hungry yet. Sometimes, new mamas misinterpret hunger, and that is okay. For example, when babies suck on their thumb or cry, it is not always because they are hungry. They may do this when they are bored, anxious, or tired. A baby will naturally refuse the bottle when in these moods.

How to deal: Do not force it. Try to take a step back and assess the reasons behind your baby’s cues.

Problem #2: Miscalculating Feeding Amount

Although there are prescribed feeding amounts from your baby’s doctor or nutritionist, babies can have different appetites. Like adults, it would be challenging to drink more milk when they are still (or already) full.

How to deal: Understand that feeding suggestions are estimates only. Take the time to learn just how much your baby needs in one feeding session. After this, you can also discern how much time in between sessions is needed for them to develop an appetite again.

Problem #3: Tired Baby

Most of us would instead rest than eat when we are tired, right? The same can be said for babies. If your baby is not getting enough sleep, they tend to run out of energy in the middle of the day. This prevents them from having the will to latch onto bottles. This might be the case if you notice the baby crying, fussing, or falling asleep when feeding.

How to deal: It can be a paradox because sleepy babies will have a hard time eating and hungry babies will have a hard time sleeping. The challenge here is for mamas to figure out a balanced schedule that allows babies to sleep and eat at the right time.

Problem #4: Improper Positioning

It would be hard for us to eat if we were uncomfortable, right? So one of the reasons why babies refuse to latch is that they are not happy with their position.

How to deal:Try holding the baby upright with the head positioned in a straight line with the rest of the body. Snuggle your baby in your arms and support their feet.

Also Read: 5 Tips To Try If You’re Breastfeeding With Flat or Inverted Nipples

Problem #5: Distracted Baby

Babies are naturally curious. So, their attention span may not be as sharp as we want it to be. When they are distracted, they are expected to lose interest in feeding. An excellent example of these distractions would be: other children playing, pets, gadgets, and music.

How to deal: Give your baby the space to just eat. Go to a quiet room with the least movement and sounds. It would be also great if you feed your baby in one area regularly so that they can associate this spot with feeding.

Problem #6: Colic

Babies cry to communicate with us. However, if the crying lasts more than 3 hours, this might be a case of colic. Babies who have this do not have any underlying health issues. They get into uncontrollable crying spells.

One common cause of colic is digestion problems. Sometimes, air inhaled from milk bottles while drinking can irritate and upset babies. So naturally, a baby that is busy crying its heart out will not be able to feed correctly.

How to deal: First, don’t blame yourself or the baby for colic. This is nobody’s fault. Dealing with colic is a game of trial and error. But you can start by making sure that they are feeding properly. You can start by checking all the tips we have mentioned above. After that, you may also reach for an anti-colic feeding bottle.

Also Read: How To Relieve Colic In Babies

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Aside from that, it also has contours that make it easy for their tiny hands to hold, squeeze, and suck. This will allow them to practice their motor skills as they eat.

The nipple is also the right size to easily fit their mouth and suck on it with no issues. Finally, it comes in yellow or cyan, so you can have that nice pop of colour that your baby will surely like.

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You are on your way to happy bottle-feeding sessions with your baby!

Follow the tips we have mentioned, and you will enjoy bottle feeding in no time. But it would still be best to reach out to your paediatrician, especially if things go out of hand.

In the meantime, if you want to invest in your baby’s best bottle feeder, click here. We’ll send your order right to your doorstep in no time. Good luck, mamas!