Can we give breast milk in a feeding bottle for a newborn?

Can We Give Breast Milk in a Feeding Bottle for a Newborn?
The question of whether breast milk can be given to a newborn in a feeding bottle is one that many new parents grapple with. The answer is a resounding yes, but with some important considerations to ensure a smooth transition and to maintain the breastfeeding relationship.
Understanding the Basics of Bottle Feeding with Breast Milk
Breast milk is the ideal nutrition for newborns, providing essential nutrients and antibodies that help protect against infections. While breastfeeding is often recommended as the primary method of feeding, using a bottle to deliver expressed breast milk can be a practical solution for many families. This method allows for flexibility, enabling other caregivers to participate in feeding and giving mothers a chance to rest or return to work.
However, experts suggest that introducing a bottle should be timed carefully. It is generally recommended to wait until the baby is about 3 to 4 weeks old before offering a bottle. This waiting period allows the newborn to establish a good breastfeeding routine and ensures that they are proficient at latching and feeding directly from the breast.
The Transition to Bottle Feeding
When introducing a bottle, it’s crucial to choose the right time and method. Babies can sometimes be resistant to bottles, especially if they are used to breastfeeding. To ease this transition, parents can try offering the bottle when the baby is calm and not overly hungry. Additionally, using a bottle with a nipple that closely resembles the breast can help make the transition smoother.
Lactation professionals often recommend that parents hold off on using pacifiers or bottles until breastfeeding is well established. This approach minimizes the risk of nipple confusion, where a baby may struggle to switch between breast and bottle.
Practical Tips for Bottle Feeding
When feeding expressed breast milk from a bottle, it’s important to hold the bottle in a way that mimics breastfeeding. This means keeping the bottle horizontal and allowing the baby to suck and swallow at their own pace. Parents should also be mindful of the amount of milk in the bottle, discarding any leftover milk after a feeding to ensure safety.
If a baby refuses the bottle, it may be helpful to try different feeding positions or to have someone else offer the bottle, as the baby may associate the mother with breastfeeding. Patience and persistence are key during this transition.
Conclusion
In summary, giving breast milk in a feeding bottle to a newborn is not only possible but can also be beneficial for both the baby and the parents. By waiting until breastfeeding is established and introducing the bottle thoughtfully, parents can enjoy the flexibility that bottle feeding offers while still providing their newborn with the best nutrition possible.

Can I store breast milk in normal feeding bottle?

Before expressing or handling breast milk, wash your hands with soap and water. Then store the expressed milk in a clean, capped food-grade glass container or hard plastic container that’s not made with the chemical bisphenol A (BPA).

Why is mixed feeding not recommended?

If your mixed feeding involves exchanging some breastfeeds for baby formula, then your baby will not receive as many benefits as they normally would if they were exclusively breastfed. As such, their immune system may not be as well protected from certain infections1.

Is breast milk good for newborns?

Breastmilk is the perfect food for your baby. It contains just the right amount of nutrients. It is also gentle on your baby’s developing stomach, intestines, and other body systems. It is recommended that you breastfeed until your baby is 6 months old, then breastfeed with solid foods until at least 1 to 2 years old.

Can newborn babies be fed with breast milk?

Your newborn will nurse about 8 to 12 times per day during the first weeks of life. In the beginning, mothers may want to try nursing 10–15 minutes on each breast, then adjust the time as needed. Breastfeeding should be on demand (when your baby is hungry), which is generally every 1–3 hours.

Can I use leftover breast milk in a bottle?

The portion put in the bottle that baby drank out of is NOT meant to be reused. It’s been exposed to bacteria flowing back into the bottle from baby’s mouth, which both introduces bacteria that will grow and flourish in the milk and begins breaking the milk down.

How long can breast milk stay in a bottle?

Breast milk can be stored in a sterilised container, or special storage bags – remember to label and date it. Store it in small quantities to avoid wasting any. Your breast milk can then be kept: at the back of the fridge – not the door – for up to 8 days (at 4C or colder)

Can you put breast milk in regular bottles?

Before expressing or handling breast milk, wash your hands with soap and water. Then store the expressed milk in a clean, capped food-grade glass container or hard plastic container that’s not made with the chemical bisphenol A (BPA).

Is it good to bottle feed breast milk?

Is it okay to breastfeed and bottle-feed? Yes. To be successful with bottle-feeding your breastmilk, you must first make a good breastmilk supply. Putting your baby to the breast and feeding only your milk for the first 4-6 weeks help you create a large milk supply.

Is it okay to just bottle feed breast milk?

Exclusive breastfeeding is not for everyone.
Although it is recommended that you feed your baby directly from the breast for the first six months, sometimes it may not be possible. As a result, you are left with no choice but to pump and feed your baby breast milk from a bottle.

Can I give my newborn breast milk in a bottle?

It is absolutely OK to feed a newborn with a bottle. These days feeding is a matter of personal preference – a few reasons breastfeeding is recognised as offering more natural nutrients, is cheaper and helps bonding.