I have a 4 1/2 month old daughter that loves the boob! LOL When she was born I supplemented bottles while my milk came in. My milk came in on the 6th day and from then on she was a pro at nursing. I would occassionally supplement a bottle here and there of breast milk or formula. We were doing about 1-2 bottles per day, just so I can have some time with my 3 year old daughter and my hubby could bottle feed her, or let me out of the house. She was taking the bottle fine from Daddy, Grandmas and other relatives, and she'd even take a bottle from me even though she'd give me the evil eye at first!
2 weeks ago was her last bottle, and since then she has down right REFUSED to take a bottle. I mean, she is a great baby and hardly cries, very happy, but she cries if you offer her the bottle. At first she kind of plays around with it then she screams. At first I thought it was the formula, so we tried breast milk only in a bottle and she still won't take it. I've tried different bottles with different nipples, some representing the mothers nipple, etc. etc. She started drooling at about 2 1/2 mos like teething babies do. When she turned 4 months she REALLY started drooling (and possibly teething, we feel them close to the surface of her gums). I try rubbing teething medication on her gums a bit before her bottle, and she just will NOT take a bottle, even if I am not around. I know nursing is comforting to her and I love it myself, but she's got to take a bottle! I don't mind taking her out with me to nurse on demand, but it'd be nice to get away and leave them home with dad or let me and my husband get out. We're planning our 5th anniversary vacation in October so I need to get some help and I need to start now. Please anyone give me their advice if you had/have a similar situation! Thanks!!!
She also does not use a pacifier so she knows the nipple has food in it.
Just for clarification yes I checked with my pedi about solids, she only eats about 1-2 teaspoons at each feeding it's not like I am giving her a full jar! I actually started her on solids at 3 1/2 months because she was not satisfied with even breastfeeding. She is just getting very small amounts and she is satisfied. I started my 1st on solids at 3 1/2 months she was the same, she's 3 1/2 now with no allergies and doesn't turn her nose up to any food, she loves her veggies more than sweets. And she was breastfed until 3 1/2 mos where she weaned herself from breastfeeding and only preferred bottles (since I was working then and my mom was watching her). And I never said I didn't want to stop breastfeeding, I would just like her to be able to stay somewhere over 2 hrs and get used to the bottle AGAIN. Like I said, she DID take the bottle, she just stopped and I am trying to find out maybe why and see if we can get into the swing of things again. Also I am not feeding her solids for my vacations plans (which I only leave my children with their grandparents who are used to their personalities and my girls adore), I am actually trying her to take a bottle which is the problem since she just outright refused one day after taking it very well before. I have no problems breastfeeding her I'd just like her to take a bottle without fuss again. Thanks for everyones help so far I would still love to hear suggestions anyone has, not complaints or "why this, why that".
Also I will stop giving her the teething gel, a lot of mommies recommended that to me, but I would prefer not to so thanks for that info.
This might sound crazy, but when my son was 4-5 mths old he too refused bottles all of a sudden. I tried everything, every bottle on the market, everything! What resolved it was I would carry bottle nipples in between my boobs and so when it was time for his bottle the nipples would have mu *scent* on them. It solved the problem. Try it.
try a faster flow nipple on the bottle..also stop w/ the teething meds..oragel and meds like that can numb a baby's mouth up and make her swallow her tongue. also try different bottles...there is a bottle that is shaped like a booby..they carry them at the Pump Station.
NAET.com for allergy eliminations. Sometimes babies refuse to eat something because it tastes funny or makes them sick. It's just allergies.
Hi L.,
I also had the same issue with my daughter. She previously took the bottle but then around 5 months, refused. Someone told me to change my energy when feeding her - I was freaking out that she wouldn't take a bottle and I knew I had to go back to work in a month so I think I had a frantic energy when feeding her. My husband too so we both made a conscious decision to change our energy when feeding her.
We also tried a few different nipples as well - we ended on the Mam nipples - they look more like a real nipple and feel less like fake silicone than most other nipples. They also happened to fit Born Free bottles so it was a win-win, as most of the funky nipples usually come on non-user friendly bottles (Adiri for example, can't put in a warmer..)
Finally we also made a decision that certain feedings, ie the afternoon feeding, would come from the bottle or she wouldn't eat, period. It seems harsh but like the LC below said, they will not starve. If she gets hungry enough, she'll take the bottle. Once you get her to take the bottle then you must keep it up though - at least one bottle every day, no matter what at least until she's fully back on board with the bottles and even then don't go for more than a day or two.
I'm still breast feeding my daughter too but it's important to be able to leave your baby with others and take time for yourself even if you're not working. I don't know why some people are giving you a hard time about that, it seems silly. Also bottle feeding allows daddy to join the party and that's always a good thing in my book. Please feel free to PM me if you have any other questions. :)
~R.
Hi, my second daughter wouldn't take the bottle at first and I had to go back to work and she had to eat, so I went and did some searching. I actually found a nipple called second nature. You can order it online. I used to be able to get at babies r us, but they no longer carry it. It is supposed to mimick a mother's breast and work the same. It worked for my daughter and they even have other nipples as she grows so you can teach them later how to drink from a regular cup. Try it and see if it helps you.
She may be ready to start drinking from a cup. It might be worth a try. She may also be teething and the feeling of nursing may be soothing to her. IME, those teething gels don't work worth a darn. If she's really uncomfortable, call your pediatrician to get the correct dosage of tylenol. That's the only thing that helped give my daughter relief. Give her time, don't force anything. This too shall pass. That's my opinion.
Since your baby was taking a bottle until 2 weeks ago, she will most likely take it again but it will be a battle of wills. You are correct in that you must be out of sight, sound and smell because if she knows that you are anywhere in the house, she will wait it out. It sound as if you have a great deal of support, so pick the person who is not only supportive but also has the most patience and is willing to work with her, even if it means the baby misses a feeding or 2. Eventually she will get hungry enough that she will hopefully take the bottle. You may want to have the bottle person give her a bath if she likes the bath, just to calm her down if she becomes hysterical, or take her for a walk, or put her in a wrap, whatever works to calm her, should she become frantic. If it doesn't work the first day and the process has been tried through 3 feedings, give her a break and try the next day and so on. After 4 days if she still won't take the bottle, try a sippy cup that is made for younger babies (one like BornFree, which will flow better for her.) She may just be one of those babies who is stubborn enough to move on to the next step. That said, since she took the bottle 2 weeks ago, my professional guess is that with patience and persistence, she will take the bottle again. Once she does, you must give her one a day so you do not have this problem again. And my recommendation is that for at least several weeks, it should be breast milk so she has consistency in flavor.
Good luck.
L. Adelman, Lactation Consultant
L., she is only this little once. Soon, very soon she will stop breatfeeding and you will have all the freedom you want. Breasfeeding is of course BEST for both mom and baby maybe you can think about how you can make it work..you know go out right after a feed and then you will have about 2-3 hours for you time.
Please stop the teething gel. For hundreds of years babies teethed without medication. Please allow her that.
As for not taking the bottle, if you feel that is is absolutely necessary to bottle feed her, when you are not around and she is hungry enough, she will eat. All kids do. She may only take little bits at a time but she will not allow herself to starve, it is impossible. Like it was said, find someone with patience. You leave right when she is most hungry and let her be fed. DO NOT come back into the house until she has eaten. She knows you are in the house...she can smell it.
L., as a family wellness coach I have worked with many families who have similar situations to yours. My advice always was and always will be...
let them be little.
B.
Family Wellness Coach
I have the same problem. I tried everything also. I don't know what to do either. Every now and then she will take a bottle, but she will scream her head off until she gets the breast. I never had this problem with my sons. Keep me posted on what happens.
N.
I haven't had a similar situation, but I'm amazed that she is already having solid foods at such a young age. From all I have heard, babies need to drink only breastmilk or formula until they are 6 months old to get all of the nutrition they need-- applesauce and other solids do not contain the same nutrients by a long shot. If it were me, I'd cut out the solids and return to only breastmilk. Please don't count on taking any relaxing vacations during the first year; don't let vacation plans influence the pace of getting your baby accustomed to solids (some people do this so they can leave the baby with a sitter!). Please talk to your doctor.
I'm sure that is really frustrating. Out of curiosity did it happen around the time you started solids? Also, I'm wondering why you are giving a 4 1/2 month old SO many solids? The APA, WHO and most pediatricians don't recommend starting solids until 6 months and even then only once a day at first so three times a day seems like a TON of food for a 4 1/2 month old. Could she not be that hungry? Maybe she takes the breast for comfort but she won't take the bottle because she's not actually hungry? Are you using a very slow flow nipple? I'm sorry I don't have any great answers for you but I would definitely re-think the amount of solids you are giving. I found the best advice for breastfeeding (and they will help you figure out how to get her to take a bottle) on kellymom.com. It is a great resource. I don't share their parenting style so don't let that turn you off if you don't but they had great advice at all stages.
No real advice as my daughter didn't really take a bottle but have you checked with your pedi about the solids? She's awfully young to be eating solids, especially so much, and perhaps that could be intervening?
You have a great baby who hardly cries, is very happy, is a pro at nursing and "loves the boob" and you're complaining about it?? I almost cried reading her mama write that baby cries HARD when denied the boob that she knows is her birthright. Really, you just had a baby and she needs you right now! I think you should just give her the boob and be thankful you have such a easy child. Sounds like she's smart too- she wants her mama and her mama's milk! Can you blame her? :)
