How to Wean from Breast to Bottle?

**Adding this:
I just had another idea.
Since your baby is so young, and you are needing to transition her to a bottle for feedings due to your return to work... I have had some friends, in which their newborn did not switch to a bottle... so, thus, they used syringes to feed their baby. A syringe is something a baby can 'suck' on to 'nurse' and her intake might be better with this approach. You can get the 'syringes' from a pharmacy or drug store... those big sized type syringes that is used to take cough syrup from, for example.

Versus, with a bottle it actually requires a different technique for 'sucking." A bottle nipple and a Mom's nipple are different... and it actually requires 2 different 'methods' in order to suck from it... so, some babies get 'nipple confusion.' and thus, appearing that they will not 'switch' to a bottle.

Just make SURE, that her daily intake is ALWAYS sufficient & she is drinking enough... or she will get dehydrated. Make sure that your care provider ALWAYS feeds her ON DEMAND... yes, even from a bottle. This is very important for a baby. Do NOT have her on a feeding 'schedule' or the baby will get insufficient intake and per any growth spurts that arise.. ...and at these times, a baby will need more intake and to feed more often. And this is normal, because they are growing. But if fed on a 'schedule' a baby will not receive what they need developmentally, and sometimes, they will not thrive the best this way.

I love the "MAM" brand bottles/nipples.My son had no problem with this one.
you can get it on www.amazon.com
just use the search word "MAM bottles"
The bottles also has no "BPA's" in the plastic.

Good luck,
Susan

Hi W.,
The same thing happened to us and I totally stressed about it. Then I started reading my Dr. Sears book "The Baby Book" and he said that some babies just will not take a bottle and prefer the breast. They will change their feeding schedules based on when mom is there and will become nighttime power-nursers. Sure enough, that is what my daughter did. (FYI, she ended up taking about 2-4 ounces a day from the bottle). So I'd get home from work, and the nursing would commence. I'm not going to say that it was easy, but I was determined to keep nursing and it all worked out. We ended up nursing for 21 months. Also, to make it easier on me during the night, we shared a family bed. Because once I get up, I cannot go back to sleep. You could also try a co-sleeper, which is a 3 sided small "crib/bassinet" that fits snug next to your side of the bed. Don't worry, W., babies are very adaptable and she'll either get hungry enough to take the bottle when you are not there, or she will wait until you get home. Although, one thing I am remembering is that my daughter was 4 months old when I went back to work so you should check with your doctor about this. 7 weeks old may be just too young to not eat every two hours while you are at work.

Late I know, but just saw the post.

They say when you are hungry you will eat anything. Your not giving her worms just a bottle. Don't give in, pick to times a day to begin she doesn't get mommy until the bottle is gone. It may take her 4 to 6 hours so be prepared for your boobs to hurt or pump. But don't give in. After you have starved her she will drink anything, and then the next time she will be a little hesitant but take it sooner then the first time after a few days of 2 bottles go for three until you get through the hours you will be gone. Babies this young are easy to teach because they haven't got the whole rutine memorized. Just remember don't give in she will eventually take the bottle as we will eventually eat the worms, or other people. She just has to try and win as do we all. Good Luck! J.

If you live near the Pump Station http://www.pumpstation.com in Santa Monica or Hollywood, go there now ;-) If not, give them a call and they can do a consult over the phone. Good luck!