At some point whilst breastfeeding you may realise you need to offer your baby a feed from something other than your breast. This may mean trying to feed your baby from a bottle, a sippy cup or even just a spoon. Whilst fully breastfed babies generally don't require drinks of water, sometimes they do require medication that needs to be given by mouth, or expressed milk so that some-one else can feed them. Therefore, it is a good idea to try to get your baby used to drinking from a bottle or sippy cup for those times when it is the only way your baby can be fed.
Many mums are surprised to find that the transition can be very difficult for the baby as they genuinely don't seem to have a clue what to do. This is why it is important to try it slowly and gradually and to choose a time when both you and your baby are relaxed and at ease. A good time to try is just after a breastfeed when the baby will be sated and content.
Getting your baby to transition from breast to bottle or cup is also useful for when it comes time to wean your baby onto foods other than breastmilk. You will probably be surprised at how messy the process can be, but what many breastfeeding mothers do find is that their baby's seem to find the transition from breast to sippy cup much easier than from breast to bottle.
The following video offers some advice from a breastfeeding mum showing how she made the transition and offers some useful tips on how you too can make the change.
More Free Breastfeeding Videos
Successful Breastfeeding: A Beginner's Guide to Getting Started
Newborn and Infant Solid Foods
Newborn and Infant Nutrition and Growth Basics