Bottles and other tools

If your baby can’t feed at the breast, there are several ways to give your milk while still supporting your breastfeeding relationship.

Summary

• Bottles can be useful for babies who can’t breastfeed directly, but they are not the only option
• If breastfeeding is going well, waiting to introduce feeding tools can be helpful
• How you feed matters more than what feeding tool you use
• Relationships grow through care and contact, not just how you feed

On this page

What’s the best way to feed my baby when I can’t breastfeed directly?

There are lots of ways to give breastmilk to a baby who isn’t able to feed at the breast. This page looks at bottles and other options, and how to use them in ways that support your baby and your breastfeeding relationship.

If your baby was born early or has additional needs, your healthcare team can help you find a feeding approach that works for you and your baby.

What are the alternatives to bottles?

Most breastfed babies worldwide never use a bottle, moving straight from the breast to drinking from a cup. Some babies who are offered a bottle simply refuse to take one. Bottles are not the only option – there are several other ways to feed your baby.

Cup feeding

Even premature babies can learn to drink from an open cup with care and practice. Special cups are available, but any clean cup can work. Some parents prefer a small cup, such as a shot glass.

• Sit your awake baby upright on your lap, supported behind the neck and shoulders.

  

• Rest the rim of the cup on their lower lip and tilt it until the milk just reaches their lip.
• Allow your baby to explore the milk with their tongue and sip or lap it at their own pace.
• Keep the cup at the lip, allowing pauses, but don’t pour milk into your baby’s mouth.
• When your baby has had enough, they will turn away or show other clear cues.

It can help to practise with another adult first, so you can see how far to tilt the cup. Using a bib or cloth can catch spills while you are learning.

Alternative feeding methods

• Teaspoon, syringe, or dropper. These can be useful for very young or small babies.
• Nursing supplementer: this allows your baby to receive extra milk through a thin tube while feeding at the breast. An LLL Leader can help you decide if this might suit your situation.
• Cups for older babies: Babies who can sit up may prefer to drink from a regular cup or a lidded cup. If you are also breastfeeding, you may want to avoid cups that require biting or strong sucking to release the milk. Babies learn by watching, and enjoy joining in with what others are doing. Some babies who are reluctant to take a lidded cup will happily drink from a cup they see a parent or older sibling using.

Deciding when (or whether) to use a bottle or feeding tool

If your baby is able to breastfeed well after birth, it can help to wait until breastfeeding is going smoothly before introducing feeding tools — often around a month. Breastfeeding directly helps your milk supply adjust to your baby’s needs, and gives your baby time to develop their feeding skills.

If your baby isn’t able to breastfeed, or isn’t able to take enough milk at the breast, it’s important to start expressing milk early and often to protect your milk supply and keep your baby safely fed. You can find more information about how to do this in Further Reading below.  Expressing your milk for your baby keeps the door open for breastfeeding, if and when your baby is ready.

You may have heard that if you don’t introduce a bottle early on, your baby won’t accept one later. While younger babies may be slightly more likely to accept a bottle, it’s not a strong effect. Most babies of all ages will accept a bottle if they need to – sometimes with a little coaxing. (1) If your baby doesn’t, there are other ways they could be fed if needed. 

If you’re thinking ahead to returning to work or study, and your baby will be over six months by then, it may be reassuring to know that your baby may not need a bottle. By this age, many babies are eating other foods and drinking water, and can be offered milk in a cup. Healthcare providers recommend that by around one year, all babies (including those who have been bottle-fed) stop using bottles because of their impact on teeth. (2)

Using bottles

What kind of bottle should I use?

There isn’t one “best” bottle. Most babies can learn to feed from a range of bottle shapes and teats.

Some babies have clear preferences, so you may need to try a few different kinds, to see what works best for your baby.

How the bottle is used usually matters more than the type. Feeding in a responsive, paced way can help your baby control the flow of milk and take the amount they need. A slow-flow teat is often easiest for babies to manage. 

How can I encourage my baby to take a bottle?

If you would like to introduce a bottle, here are some ideas that have worked for other families. Some babies take a bottle quickly, while others need time and patience.

• Choose a calm moment. Try when your baby is relaced and not too hungry. It can help to think of this as a learning experience at first, rather than as a feed.
• Have someone else offer the bottle. A breastfed baby may be less likely to accept a bottle from their mother, as they expect to feed at the breast. Many babies accept a bottle more easily from someone else, especially a calm and confident feeder. Keeping to a small number of regular feeders helps your baby feel secure.
• Try a comfortable upright position.  Avoid feeding your baby lying flat on their back. Many young babies feed best sitting fairly upright, supported behind their neck and shoulders. Very young babies may also feed comfortably lying on their side with their head slightly higher than their bottom. (3)
• Encourage your baby to open their mouth. Gently brush the teat across your baby’s lips to encourage them to open wide, as they would at the breast. If they accept it, aim for a deep lcatch rather than just sucking on the tip.
• Use paced feeding. Hold the bottle fairly horizontal so your baby has to suck actively, as they do at the breast. Tip it slightly as it empties to keep milk in the teat. A slow-flow teat is often easiest for babies to manage.
• Watch your baby’s cues. Bottle-feeding can be tiring, and your baby may need pauses during the feed, just as they do at the breast.  Signs they need a break include turning away, gulping, wide eyes, or splayed fingers. If you notice these, tip the bottle down or take it away for a moment.
• Allow time and flexibility. A feed may take around 15-20 minutes, and some babies prefer a break in the middle. There’s no need to rush.

How much milk will my baby need?

Most breastfed babies take about 60-120ml (2-4oz) of breastmilk per feed, between one and six months. As your baby grows, the composition of your milk changes, but the amount they need stays similar. (4)

This is different from formula feeding, where larger volumes are often suggested as a baby grows. This can lead to babies taking more milk than they need. (5)

If you are feeding in responsive, paced way (as described above), you can trust your baby to show you how much they want. Some feeds may be small and quick, while others are longer – just like adults, babies don’t need every feed to be the same size.

If someone else is feeding your baby, it can help to avoid giving a large feed just before you return. You may want to breastfeed soon after you’re back, both to reconnect with your baby and to relieve your breasts.

When you’re away from your baby

What if my baby won’t take a bottle when I go back to work or study?

It’s common for breastfed babies to refuse a bottle at first when their mother returns to work or study, They are adjusting to big changes, such as a new environment and new caregivers. Many babies begin to take milk once they feel more settled, so it can help to allow a week or two for everyone to adjust.

Will my baby get enough milk if they don’t take much when I’m away?

Some babies take less milk when they are apart from their mother, and make up for it by feeding more when they are together. This is sometimes called “reverse cycling.” Breastfeeding is about comfort as well as milk, so your baby may want plenty of closeness as well as feeds when you are reunited.

As long as your baby’s nappy output and growth are normal, they are getting enough milk.

Can my baby go without milk while I’m away?

Babies over about six months, who are also eating other foods, may sometimes manage without milk while you are apart, taking food and water instead. They can make up for this by breastfeeding when you are together.

Some babies also eat more when their mother isn’t there, especially if they are with other children.

Do other people need to feed my baby to bond with them?

No. Close relationships with babies grow through time spent together — especially through touch, eye contact, and responsive care — rather than how milk is given.

People who hold your baby, spend time skin-to-skin, talk, play, and respond to their needs can build strong, loving connections. Your baby can form unique and enjoyable relationships with several other people, as well as with you. 

How can other people build a close relationship with my baby?

There are many ways to connect with a baby, including holding, soothing, playing, and spending time together. Skin-to-skin contact can be a powerful way to build closeness, as well as talking, singing, and making eye contact.

Some people enjoy babywearing, bathing the baby, or simply being nearby and responsive to their needs. Over time, your baby will come to recognise and enjoy being with other important people in their lives.  Each person will find their own way of being with your baby.

What if someone feels left out because I’m breastfeeding?

Partners or other close adults may be surprised at how much your baby needs you, especially in the early weeks. You are your newborn baby’s safe place, especially when they are tired, upset, or unwell.

This can sometimes leave others feeling a bit on the outside. It can help to keep communication open about how everyone is feeling, and to find ways of staying connected as a family during this stage. There are many ways to be closely involved in caring for your baby, and supporting you is an important part of that.

This phase doesn’t last forever. As your baby grows, they will become more interested in other people, and relationships will widen and deepen over time. Many children go through stages of having a clear “favourite” person — and it isn’t always their mother!

Is feeding expressed breastmilk the same as breastfeeding?

Feeding your baby your own expressed milk provides excellent nutrition and protection, and some families choose this approach. Many mothers express milk because breastfeeding directly has been very difficult. Excusive pumping is a significant commitment of time and energy. (6)

There are some differences between feeding at the breast and feeding expressed milk. When your baby feeds directly, your body responds to their saliva. Your milk also changes subtly over the course of the day and night. (7, 8)

Freshly expressed milk retains more of its active components than milk that has been stored, although stored milk still provides tailored nutrition and immune protection that formula cannot match. (9)

Feeding at the breast supports your baby’s development in ways beyond nutrition. The activity of breastfeeding helps exercise the muscles of the face and mouth, supporting development of the jaw and airway. (10) Direct breastfeeding may also reduce the risk of ear infections and diarrhoea. (11)

Breastfeeding directly is more straightforward once it is going well, as there is no need to pump, store, and prepare milk. However, it takes time for breastfeeding to become established, and it depends on feeding going smoothly. In the early days, or if challenges arise, it may not feel easier at all.

This changes over time, as you and your baby learn together. Getting support can make a real difference.

Can I still have a close relationship with my baby if I’m not breastfeeding directly?

Yes. Providing your milk — however you do it — is a unique act of care for your baby. 

Breastfeeding brings a lot of close contact through touch, eye contact, and time spent together. When you are expressing milk, you can create many of these same moments with a little thought and intention. Skin-to-skin contact can be especially helpful. 

Holding your baby close during feeds, spending time skin-to-skin, and responding to their cues all help build a strong connection. Feeding can still be a time to pause, focus on your baby, and enjoy being together.

Over time, you and your baby will get to know each other in your own way. 

How can I include skin-to-skin contact if I’m bottle-feeding?

Skin-to-skin contact is important for young babies, whether they are feeding at the breast or not. 

You might try:

• holding your baby against your bare chest during or after feeds
• letting your baby rest against you as they fall asleep
• carrying your baby in a sling or carrier
• spending relaxed time together, such as in the bath 

Can I come to an LLL meeting if I’m bottle-feeding or expressing?

Absolutely — you would be very welcome. LLL meetings are for anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding, or providing their own milk for a baby, or trying to do so. 

Please don’t feel awkward about feeding your baby by bottle or other means during a meeting, or asking questions about it. We understand the challenges and are here to support you. 

Further reading

From our website

Other resources

References

1. Maxwell, Clare et al. “UK mothers’ experiences of bottle refusal by their breastfed baby.” Maternal & child nutrition vol. 16,4 (2020): e13047. doi:10.1111/mcn.13047

Available at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7503095/ (accessed 4 May 2026)

2. https://www.nhs.uk/baby/weaning-and-feeding/drinks-and-cups-for-babies-and-young-children/ (accessed 4 May 2026)

3. 3. Raczyńska, Anna et al. “Advantages of side-lying position. A comparative study of positioning during bottle-feeding in preterm infants (≤34 weeks GA).” Journal of mother and child vol. 25,4 269-276. 9 Jun. 2022, doi:10.34763/jmotherandchild.20212504.d-22-00008

Available at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9444194/ (accessed 4 May 2026)

4. Rios-Leyvraz, Magali, and Qisi Yao. “The Volume of Breast Milk Intake in Infants and Young Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Breastfeeding medicine : the official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine vol. 18,3 (2023): 188-197. doi:10.1089/bfm.2022.0281

Available at https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1089/bfm.2022.0281?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed (accessed 4 May 2026)

5. Huang, Junmei et al. “Early feeding of larger volumes of formula milk is associated with greater body weight or overweight in later infancy.” Nutrition journal vol. 17,1 12. 24 Jan. 2018, doi:10.1186/s12937-018-0322-5

Available at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5784650/pdf/12937_2018_Article_322.pdf (accessed 4 May 2026)

6. Rosenbaum, Kimberly A. “Exclusive breastmilk pumping: A concept analysis.” Nursing forum vol. 57,5 (2022): 946-953. doi:10.1111/nuf.12766

Available at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nuf.12766 (accessed 4 May 2026)

7. Hassiotou, Foteini et al. “Maternal and infant infections stimulate a rapid leukocyte response in breastmilk.” Clinical & translational immunologyvol. 2,4 e3. 12 Apr. 2013, doi:10.1038/cti.2013.1

Available at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4232055/ (accessed 4 May 2026)

8. Suwaydi, Majed A et al. “Circadian Variation in Human Milk Hormones and Macronutrients.” Nutrients vol. 15,17 3729. 25 Aug. 2023, doi:10.3390/nu15173729

Available at https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/17/3729 (accessed 4 May 2026)

9. Putri, Diah K et al. “The Effects of Different Storage Conditions on Leukocytes in Human Breast Milk.” Sultan Qaboos University medical journal vol. 24,1 (2024): 91-98. doi:10.18295/squmj.12.2023.084

Available at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10906764/ (accessed 4 May 2026)

10. Karadimitriou, M-D  et al. “Feeding practices and jaw development: a comprehensive literature review of their interconnected dynamics”. Dent Res Oral Health. 2025;27–37. 10.26502/droh.0088.

Available at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/390419240_Feeding_practices_and_Jaw_Development_A_Comprehensive_Literature_Review_of_Their_Interconnected_Dynamics_Dental_Research_and_Oral_Health (accessed 4 May 2026)

11. Boone, Kelly M et al. “Feeding at the Breast and Expressed Milk Feeding: Associations with Otitis Media and Diarrhea in Infants.” The Journal of pediatrics vol. 174 (2016): 118-25. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2016.04.006Available at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9554740/  (accessed 4 May 2026)