Even if you're exclusively breastfeeding, you'll probably introduce a bottle at some point. You may need to return to work, take a break or give a caregiver a chance to feed your little one. Whatever your reason, it is completely okay.🍼

I breastfed both our children and pumped to get breaks, to let my husband bond with our babies and on the very rare occasion for a mom's night out. 💃🏽

Your caregiver may be well intentioned but it's always best to offer some bottle-feeding tips. It's always good to talk with a certified lactation consultant, but here are 10 tips that worked for me, especially for babies six months and younger.

1️⃣ Feed when your baby is hungry

Most breastfed babies are fed when they are hungry, not on a schedule. Tell your caregiver to look for hunger clues like rooting, sucking on fingers, fussiness, putting hands to his/her face and more. Crying is often a late stage cue when your baby has tried everything else.

2️⃣ Don't overfeed

I remember being very confused with the smaller size of the bottles that came with the breast pump in comparison to the much larger bottles you would find at the store. Always choose smaller bottles.

On average, babies up to six months consume 19 to 30 ounces of breastmilk a day, and the general rule is to have about 1 to 1.5 ounces of breastmilk on hand for every hour you're away. To better calculate a daycare day, KellyMom has an easy to use Milk Calculator.

3️⃣ Hold baby in an upright position

It's best to mimic a nursing position where your baby is facing his/her caregiver. Avoid bottle-feeding your baby lying down. This position is often associated with bottle tooth decay and increased ear infections.

4️⃣ Switch sides midway

Not only does switching sides help with your baby's eye and brain development, it also prevents your baby from favoring one side.

5️⃣ Take breaks

Encourage your care provider to help your baby mimic a breastfeeding session, which usually lasts longer than formula feeding. Like adults, it takes time to feel full, and it is good to teach your baby not to eat too quickly.

6️⃣ Don't force the nipple into your baby's mouth

Like with breastfeeding, gently stroke your baby's face with the nipple to get a similar rooting response. Once your baby opens his/her mouth wide, then allow your baby to accept it. If your baby is turning their head away from the bottle, try feeding again in a little while.

7️⃣ Don't use the bottle to comfort

Just like adults, we should not use food as a comfort tool. If it seems like your baby is being fussy or was just fed, ask your care provider to try other comforting methods like checking your baby's diaper, singing or reading, taking a walk or even a nap.

8️⃣ Never heat up breastmilk

Teach your caregiver the proper way to care for your very precious breastmilk. Here are some general rules:

- Don't heat up breastmilk. It destroys all its amazing and beneficial properties.

- Allow breastmilk to warm up to room temperature from the refrigerator, but no longer than four or five hours.

- You can warm up breastmilk in a bottle in a warm cup of water or bowl for a few minutes.

- Avoid shaking breastmilk. It does naturally separate, but swirling is better than hard shaking.

9️⃣ Don't throw away good breastmilk

Breastmilk is liquid gold! Ask any breast pumping mom about the work invovled. Thawed breastmilk should be used within 24 hours and slushy breastmilk can be refrozen.

🔟 Breastmilk or formula is your baby's primary source of nutrition for the first 12 months

Babies under six months don't need to drink water, and babies over six months learning to use a cup can have no more than two ounces a day. Do not give cow's milk to babies under 12 months old, and solids do not provide the same nutrition as formula and breastmilk that babies under 12 months need.

Do you have great bottle-feeding tips? Share in the comments below 💕