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Nipple confusion

Most health professionals do not recommend feeding a baby from a bottle until after about 4 to 6 weeks after birth so that breast-feeding can be well-established. A baby who is fed with a bottle too soon may develop a preference for the nipple of the bottle over the breast. This may occur because it requires less effort to obtain milk from an artificial nipple.

Talk to your health professional if you wish to start feeding your baby breast-milk from a bottle before he or she is 4 to 6 weeks old.

Author Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor Denele Ivins
Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD
- Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH
- Family Medicine
Last Updated May 10, 2007

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: May 10, 2007
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.