Everyone's got their own suggestions about feeding your baby during the first year of life.

If you're a confused 1st-timer - or just found you're up against a a problem you've never experienced before - our members have been there, done that, and have the (milk-stained) t-shirt to prove it.

Baby won't take a bottle?
'Maybe your baby will move straight from breast to feeder cup and skip the bottle altogether. I have a friend whose son didn't want a bottle and she tried all kinds of teats. He moved from breast to training cup.'
Thanks to Raisingkids' Member anjp 21 Aug 2001

'You have to remember that your child won't starve if she has to wait, and if she is that thirsty she will eventually take something.'
Thanks to Raisingkids' Member Lisa 21 Jan 2002

'I used to get someone else to give her her bottle so she wouldn't smell my milk and I also pumped a few bottles prior to that to try during the day. Once she gets used to not smelling the breast milk it makes it easier.'
Thanks to Raisingkids' Member Shaz1966 21 Feb 2002

Can you mix breastmilk and bottles?
'I now feed bottles from 10am and breast from 9pm. Which means I can leave Torin with someone to feed him and at night I still have the luxury of ready made milk!'
Thanks to Raisingkids' Member ukhowell 21 Nov 2001

Top tips for breast-feeding
'My personal top tips are hand express (much more efficient) keep sterilized bottles in the freezer and top up with your cooled breast milk until you have enough for a feed. Remember that that supply equals demand - express a little and often and give your body chance it'll need a couple of days to catch with its new demand.'
Thanks to Raisingkids' Member GOLDIE 26 Apr 2002

'Did you know, that breastfed babies don't need sterilized bottles, even if you transfer your milk into it!!! It's true, breastmilk contains natural antibacterial properties that fight any bad bugs!!'
Thanks to Raisingkids' Member lisa April 2002

Share your own breast-feeding tips!
If you know a great tip that we've missed, why not let us know?

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