Many mothers find that teaching their baby to feed from the
bottle is easier if someone else offers the baby the bottle at first, in a
different location/room than where they usually breastfeeds. By doing that, you
will be eliminating all the usual cues to start seeking out the breast.

During the first few attempts, have this person offer about 15
mL of breast milk an hour or two after a regular feeding, when your baby is
alert and motivated to try this new feeding method, but not very hungry to the
extent of becoming fussy and angry. The adult in charge should maintain a calm
and reassuring manner. A smiling face and soothing voice will help your baby
relax. A useful tip is to drip few drops of the familiar-tasting breast milk on
the baby’s lips or tongue at first so that he/she can understand what you are
doing. Then slowly and gently introduce the nipple into his/her mouth. Your
baby will want to explore the nipple with his/her mouth: allow him/her to take
his/her time doing that, and do not force the nipple past his/her gums. If your
baby grows upset or frustrated, hold off on the attempt, or if more than ten
minutes pass and he/she hasn’t fed. It’s better to end on a positive note and
try again the next day than to create an association between this new method of
feeding and feelings of frustration.

If after a few times of daily attempts, your baby is still refusing
to drink milk from the bottle, try changing to a different kind of nipple or
from a bottle to a cup. If your baby is used to the pacifier, try using a
similar nipple for bottle-feeding. Otherwise, it will be a matter of trial and
error with several types of nipples until you find one he/she likes.) Some
babies are a bit fastidious about the feeding method, but once they establish
which one they like, they adjust easily. Your baby may show a preference for a
small medicine cup or a sippy cup rather than a bottle, even if he/she is very
young. Keep notice of your baby’s cues and respond accordingly, but don’t
give up on any one type of feeding device until you’ve tried it for several
days.

As your baby shows signs of accepting an alternative feeding
method, start expressing more milk and occasionally offering the bottle or cup
when he/she seems to be hungry between feedings. Finally, offer him/her an
occasional full, regular feeding with a cup or bottle at a time of day when
eventually you expect to be absent. In this way, you can create a daily pattern
that will be familiar to your baby by the time you need to implement it.