26 | How to Transition from Pumping Back to Breastfeeding: Get Your Baby Back to the Breast After Bottle Feeding

So you've been exclusively pumping and now you're wondering, "Is it too late to get my baby back to the breast?" The short answer? No, it’s not too late. Whether you chose the pump out of necessity or because breastfeeding got off to a rocky start, so many moms reach a point where they deeply desire to bring baby back to the breast—and feel completely unsure how to do it. Maybe your baby refuses the breast now, maybe they never latched well to begin with, or maybe you’re just exhausted from the never-ending bottle and pump cycle.

In this episode, I’m walking you through why this happens, why your desire to reconnect at the breast matters, and how to take practical, gentle steps to rebuild your nursing relationship—even if your baby has only had bottles for weeks or months. 

• reasons moms end up exclusively pumping

• Why some babies reject the breast after bottle feeding

• The emotional toll of pumping and craving breastfeeding connection

• Key differences between bottle feeding and nursing mechanics

• Step-by-step strategies to transition baby back to the breast

• Why slow-flow bottles and skin-to-skin are essential

Additional Support Resources 

Secrets to a First Latch Without Pain 

Latching Essentials 

Private Breastfeeding Support 

00:00 – Can I switch bottle fed baby back to breastfeeding? 
01:00 – Why moms end up exclusively pumping
03:00 – The emotional reasons moms want to get back to the breast
04:30 – Latching Essentials 
06:00 – How to gently reintroduce breastfeeding
10:00 – What to watch for: flow preference, oral function, breast refusal
13:30 – How 1:1 support can change everything
15:00 – Final encouragement and next steps