Page 2

6. Warm the nipple.

A cold initial touch may be enough to turn a baby off from taking the bottle. Try running the nipple under warm water before offering it to your baby.

7. Slip in the bottle while dozing.

This is the trick that did it for me. My daughter refused the bottle every single time ; while she was conscious. But when she was completely relaxed and even started dozing while breastfeeding, I slipped the bottle into her mouth and she kept sucking. I applied this technique over time and she eventually took the bottle even while fully awake.

8. Leave the house.

Some babies will take the bottle as long as someone else is feeding him. Others will drink from the bottle as long as someone is feeding him and mom is nowhere to be seen ; or smelled. Babies have a keen sense of smell. And if your baby knows mom is near, he may refuse the bottle.

9. Add a sweetener.

It's a temporary bargaining chip. Since most babies prefer to be breastfed, give him something in exchange for trying the bottle. A quid pro quo. Make sure to consult with your pediatrician about adding a sweetener and what an acceptable sweetener would be, whether it's applesauce or a juice of some kind.

10. Skip the bottle.

If your baby is 8 months or older, try foregoing the bottle altogether and give him a sippy cup. Some babies who vehemently refuse the bottle have been known to drink from a sippy cup. It'll save you the hassle of having to wean your baby off the bottle later.

For other baby tricks and tips look here.