At some point in your feeding journey, you may want, or need, to introduce a bottle to your breastfed baby. Whether you're returning to work, planning the occasional feed from a partner, or expressing regularly, it's completely possible to offer a bottle without disrupting your breastfeeding routine.
This guide walks you through when and how to introduce a bottle in a gentle, safe, and responsive way that protects your baby’s feeding instincts.
When to Introduce a Bottle
Timing matters. The NHS recommends waiting until breastfeeding is well established - usually by around 4 to 6 weeks before introducing a bottle.
Why wait?
- To allow baby time to master breastfeeding
- To protect your milk supply during the early building phase
- To reduce the chance of nipple confusion or bottle preference
Signs You’re Ready to Introduce a Bottle
You may be ready if:
- Breastfeeding is going well (comfortable latch, regular feeds, steady weight gain)
- Baby is 4–6 weeks old or older
- You’ve built a small stash of expressed milk if using breastmilk
Choosing the Right Bottle
To support a smooth transition, choose a bottle designed to:
- Mimic the natural feel and movement of the nipple and breast
- Encourage baby’s natural sucking pattern
- Be easy to clean, assemble, and hold
How to Introduce the Bottle Step-by-Step
1. Pick a Calm Time
Choose a time when:
- Baby is alert and calm (not overly hungry or tired)
- You’re feeling relaxed and unhurried
- You can offer skin-to-skin and lots of cuddles
Avoid introducing the bottle when baby is distressed or starving - it’s much harder to try something new under stress.
2. Have Someone Else Offer It
Your baby associates your smell and voice with feeding, so this shouldn’t hinder your baby from taking a bottle. If, however, after the first few attempts, your baby is struggling to take the bottle from you, letting a partner, grandparent, or friend offer the bottle may help avoid confusion or frustration.
You can stay nearby for reassurance, but a bit of space might help baby adjust.
3. Use Warmed Breastmilk
If you're expressing, warm the milk to body temperature before offering it. Familiar taste and temperature may ease the transition.
Avoid microwaving - gently warm in a bowl of hot water and swirl to mix evenly.
4. Try Responsive and Paced Bottle Feeding
Responsive bottle feeding protects your baby’s ability to self-regulate and mimics the flow of breastfeeding.
Key steps:
- Hold baby upright and make eye contact
- Keep the bottle horizontal so milk doesn’t flow too fast
- Let baby draw the teat in themselves
- Watch for pauses - remove the bottle briefly, just like they’d pause at the breast
- Switch sides mid-feed to mimic natural feeding positions
5. Be Patient and Flexible
Some babies take to bottles easily. Others may take a bit of practice, and that’s okay.
Tips if baby refuses:
- Try a different time of day
- Offer when baby is calm and slightly hungry, not desperate
- Experiment with holding positions
- Try offering a bottle during a walk, cuddle, or after skin-to-skin
How Often to Offer a Bottle
To keep baby familiar with bottle feeding, offer a bottle every 1–2 days once introduced.
Even if you're only planning occasional bottle feeds, regular practice helps baby maintain the skill.
Will Baby Prefer the Bottle?
Babies may prefer the faster flow of bottles if introduced too early or too frequently. That’s why paced feeding, slow-flow teats, and responsive bottle feeding are so important - they help prevent overfeeding and support the breastfeeding pattern.
If breastfeeding and supply are established, and responsive feeding is used, most babies do not develop nipple confusion.
Midwife’s Top Tips
- Wait until breastfeeding is well established (4–6 weeks)
- Choose a breast-like teat to support your baby’s natural suck
- Use paced, responsive feeding to mimic breastfeeding
- Let someone else offer the bottle if your baby is not taking it from you
- Don’t stress if baby refuses, it often just takes time
Introducing a bottle doesn’t mean the end of breastfeeding if you don't want it to. With gentle timing, responsive feeding, and the right tools, you can continue your breastfeeding journey your way with added flexibility and support.
