Crying Baby for Nipple

In about 10 or 12 years, you will be the last thing he wants all the time. Take him up on it now, he's little for such a short time.

Can you blame him! Nice warm cuddly mom. I breast fed my daughter for a year....and then she actually gave it up. You might try calling La Liche League (I am positive I spelled that incorrectly). But they helped me tremendously when I had questions regarding breast feeding.

Is there anyway you could possibly work out at home during the day instead? Babies generally have their roughest time of day in the evening and really need the extra reassurance of their mothers.

You also have to remember the poor little dear is only 4 months old. It takes up to the age of 3 years before a child fully realizes their own individuality. Until then, they identify themselves with their mothers, she is a part of who they are.

"I can't relax not even for an hour!"
What are you doing while the baby's napping or after he goes to bed? This is the time when you should be relaxing. I have to force myself to put down whatever I may be working on and go lie down, even if I don't actually sleep.

Good luck!

God Bless You!
I have breastfed three babies. One took a bottle with breastmilk, and the other two never had bottles. It sounds like your baby has really bonded with you through nursing. I understand your frustration that you can't do something alone without your baby screaming. Will he take a pacifier? That usually helped a lot with two of my babies. If he will not take a pacifier, then you have a couple choices. You can force the issue and let him cry it out until he gets used to the idea that he is not always going to get comfort from nursing (I wouldn't recommend that). The other choice you have is to accommodate your baby's needs for now, setting aside some of your personal time. I have done this and I can assure you that it is not easy, but it's only temporary. Also, it is the most important thing you can offer your baby (your time and breastmilk). Breastfed babies are more attached and clingy. They are used to being very close to you and that closeness is comforting to them while they are getting used to this new world.

Your baby will give you more space as he grows and starts doing more things. In the end, you will be glad you made the sacrifice.

I am a mom to seven children, and have birthed three of them. I was able to successfully breastfeed my babies for 15 - 20 months each. My babies were never fed formula.

Your baby is only 4 months old. He has a biological need for breastmilk. He has an emotional need for closeness to you. It is not abnormal. While it is sometimes extremely difficult to adjust to this and accept this part of mothering, it eventually becomes part of the reality of life. I think you've hit the mark that I did when I felt a little suffocated, wanting to get out and do my own thing and get away even for a few hours. By all means, you should allow yourself that time. You might wish to make it easier on yourself by doing it at a time that makes it easier for your husband to handle the baby. Nighttime is challenging because that is usually when babies want to nurse for the longest. Perhaps there are some outside factors that you haven't mentioned like recent vaccinations, illness, or something of that nature, which would cause your son to need the comfort of your presence more than usual. Whatever the case may be, you may want to look at your situation in a different light and either change your approach - time of day you go out to play, different care giver, etc. - or accept that your son absolutely NEEDS you and no one can provide to him what you do. It's not forever and when you finally look back on this time you may well miss this part of mothering! I just came across this quote, which sums up my advice quite succinctly: Poet Andrea Potos sums it up in the opening of her poem “Instructions for the New Mother”: Give up your calendar and clock, start flowing with milk time.

hang in there, it will get better. My daughter flat out refused to take a bottle for 7 months! My poor husband was at his wits end trying to console a screaming baby for hours, literally unwilling to take a bottle for HOURS... I was the the one working outside of the home, and believe me it was crazy for awhile. He was driving her to me every few hours, all the while screaming her head off. She is 2 years old now, and the happiest little girl ever. and that already seems like it was sooooo long ago. Funny thing about it all is that one day, she grabbed the bottle and drank it and refused to breastfeed anymore... it all just happened in one day! My best advise... get some ear plugs. Babies are not going to starve themselves nor cry themselves to death. I think this is more painful for the grownups than it is for the babies. Hang in there... it will pass...
good luck!

Hi M., My name is M. I am a mother of 3 grown children and also a pediatric nurse. I breastfed all 3 of my children and loved the experience. I, too had trouble with my first child ever taking a bottle. For our mom's in the practice, we recommend having someone else other than mom or dad try to feed baby the bottle. There are really great bottle nipples on the market that simulate the breast you may wasnt to purchase. Another thing you could try is giving the baby diluted baby juice instead of milk to drink. This may help him or her not to associate the bottle with mom since they would be drinking juice and not breast milk. Some babies are really head strong and just want the real thing from mom. I hope this doesn't detour you from breastfeeding since breast is best and he will only be a baby for such a short time of your life. Good luck and I hope I could be of some help.

I am in the same boat! My daughter is the same way. I work on weekends only and she went 6hours without eating because she wont take the bottle. I even bought the new adiri bottle that looks like the breast and she still wont take it. I just want you to know you are not the only one. Good luck.

Hi M.,

Your baby sounds like my youngest boy. He was a colic baby. That's the way my son was...he never wanted anyone but me and when I wasn't there all he did was cry. Try giving him a bottle with some mylicon drops in it. Did you try giving him breast milk in a bottle? Well I hope this helps.

~Jennifer~

They are little for such a short time, but it can seam it will not end- it does.

I belive that humans and Kangaroos have alot in common. A human baby may be in the womb for 9 months, but then needs to come out since there heads grow so big and will not fit later. But by no means it is ready to be separate from mother untill almost anouther 9 months.

Hang in there.

I realize it is hard to feel like you are never getting a break from mothering! I have successfully raised four children and also remember that feeling. Taking small breaks just for yourself help a lot! I would take a nap while the kids napped, or I would do something I liked a lot such as read a favorite book, take a bubble bath during that time. Make any free time your time for now-don't try to catch up on housework, etc... that makes you feel like a slave to your house and kids. You are the main source of comfort for your baby for the time being,he simply does not know anything different, but it will not last-it will get better as he ages. Apparently, you are a loving Mom to your children. That is the way the creator, God has designed it to be, so I challenge you to find joy in your role as a Mom to these two precious children, but also to do small things for yourself during the day whenever possible to restore your sanity! also, does the baby like a pacifier? sometimes they will take that when they want the comfort of sucking.
Hang in there-you are doing a good job!

Hi M., I have a 10 week old infant and I an lucky that she takes a bottle of formula just fine...BUT I always put some Mylenex in it for anti gas. This helps her digest the formula OR mix your breast milk in with the formula. Just make sure you make the formula if it is a mix kind and then put it in with the breast milk. Also it may help not to make that your babies last feeding of the night. Most babies including mine need that comfort of breast feeding to fall asleep. We all need our time away dont feel bad about that. You just may have to adjust when you go. I often feel a bit trapped by breastfeeding but if you can get your baby to take a bottle you can miss a feeding and feel like the baby is okay. Good Luck! J. S.

First let say, I am so sorry! Second, my kids have all been the same way. I exercise at night also and my little one cries the whole time too. If you give it some time (and your husband is willing), he will learn to take a bottle when you are gone. It took mine almost 3 weeks of me going out 2X's a week for him to settle down a little. Even when I am home, my baby doesn't want Daddy or anyone else. From past experience let me say that you should still take this time because you really do need that break and it WILL get better. This is my 6th and it's worked out ecery time!

My son is 26 and my first born. I nursed him until he was 9 months old he would not take a bottle. My doctor told me when I wanted to ween him that I had to leave the room and let someone else feed him because he could smell the milk on me. Maybe you should nurse him right before you leave make sure he is full. I would think that he should be fine for 2 hours. Also if your husband is stressed about being left alone with him they can sense that and maybe get aggitated. Hope this helps

Ok here's some unpopular advice from a mother of three who's nursed all of them. He's only 4 months old - while I can appreciate that you want time away (boy can I!) he's still very tiny. You could continue to let him cry it out and just tell DH to leave him in the crib till you can get back (and maybe try to cut your workout time in half for now) and then nurse him plenty when you get home. It could be the time - my kids experienced a 'witching hour' sometime in the evening and they just had to have mom. Maybe working out a different time to work out? I don't necessarily agree w/ the don't give in theory (on this)- just remember HE is the baby and he depends on YOU to provide him w/ EVERYTHING he needs. It is a tall order and it IS demanding, but it's only for a little while. Just a short little while trust me - hang in there and you'll both eventually get past this.

Hi there,
I know your frustration oh so well. My daughter was a mama's girl and we also had or 17 month old son, I didn't get a moments peace. I'm a stay-at-home mom and it seemed like she was attatched to my breast 24-7. I did breastfeed her to sleep until she was about 6 months old. My hubby was a huge help. We knew she would cry as soon as I left and once she got hungry, (she's a stubborn little fart) but he was very patient. I pumped one night, when she was about 3 mos., and my hubby and I went to dinner. My mother-in-law (bless her heart) is so patient. She never took the bottle, screamed the whole time, and went to sleep about 15 min. before we got home. If you can find someone to tolerate the screaming, the baby will get hungry enough to take the bottle ;) I know that sounds harsh, but if you can manage to enjoy yourself while out and know the baby is in good, patient hands, take it. We need that time as moms, even if it's only for an hour. God bless, hope all goes well.

Hi M.,
Just wanted to let you know you are not alone. I have just started weaning my 7 1/2 month old from that before bed feeding and it is hard. They get used to falling asleep with the comfort of nursing. I would say it just takes time. My daughter cried a lot, but she sucks her thumb and eventually got so tired she fell asleep. As others have said hang in there. It only gets better and easier from here.
God bless you and your precious little one,
S.

I have been in the exact same boat as you when my daughter was that age, now 15 months. She DID NOT want the bottle at all. She took it at a point and then all of a sudden didn't want it. I had to change the nipple to Gerber NUK orthodontic nipple and they go on any cheap bottle. It worked so well. What you want to do is start off by having someone else give him ONE bottle a day other than yourself. A breastfed baby wants the closeness from you especially at night when your breastfeeding. If you still continue to breastfeed right now is not the time to give a bottle yet at night. After your husband or whoever start to give that bottle Once a day for about a week so he can get used to it then try every few days having your husband give him a bottle at night. You'll notice a big difference after he gets back on track with taking a bottle again , getting used to it and then trying a bottle before bed a few times a week. It's a slow transition but it does work out. I swear this same situation happened to me and that's how we all got back into the swing of things. Babies have a crazy way about them that we don't understand yet but take the advice that's given and do trial and error. And remember this......your baby WILL NOT STARVE EVER. So when your out and he night have fussed and didn't take a bottle and you werent home yet, remember that piece of advice. Good luck and try those nipples. They were a saving grace when they don't want the bottle anymore.

Stick to your guns. You need the time out. If he's accepting the bottle, maybe there's another issue besides you. But if you give in now, you'll give in constantly. If the baby gets hungry enough, he'll accept anything. Crying a lot will eventually poop him out. But he IS only 4 months old; it could be he's not ready.
There is no easy, fast solution all the time, M.. Sometimes it's the parent who need to find untapped sources of patience. Maybe your husband can get imaginative and find a way to distract the crying. Maybe a picture of you to show the baby when you're gone might help.

My son was the same way. Have you tried a pacifier? I had to try different ones over a period of time and eventually my son took it. It provides comfort like they get when breatfeeding. Just remember this phase will pass. It will not be forever!

I have a four year old girl. Her first year of life she was a momma's girl. I did not breastfeed her, do not think that that is the link. I would leave her with her dad, her grandparents, other family relatives. She would just scream till I came back. I think this is more of a personality thing than anything else. I think they are just not ready to meet the world yet. They know their mom's and that is good enough for them. I will tell you that after a year, it does get better. Now she is a four year old who goes to school and socializes with both people and kids. She is more reserved than some kids, again I think this is personality.

Hi, first a couple of questions, are you sure he is getting enough from the bottle feeding? Because if he still wants to eat from the breast he may simply be hungry. Or are you sure it's comfort only, does he pull off when you have let down? Because a baby with a full stomache that you try to over fill will throw up the extra. And lastly are you giving him formula in the bottle or breastmilk? If it is formula he may not like it or it may not be nutritionaly what he needs right now. If you are sure of those, then I don't want to sound like I am critizing in any way but you need to decide if you want to breast or bottle feed. Some babies simply will not do both. If you decide to breast feed than you will need to make the neccesary adjustments to your schedule. I've found with my 3 children that they are happiest when their needs come first, always, at least for the first 10 to 12 months. You can't spoil an infant! If you decide you must have that specific time away from your child when he doesn't want you to go, you can and should try pumping (breastmilk is best) and giving only the bottle. My second daughter would only take the bottle when I quit breast feeding cold turkey. Otherwise she would just hold out until I could nurse her again.
You can try waiting awhile longer since he is sooooo young. At around 6 months he can start on cereals and he will have longer between feedings that you can maybe get away then. Also different times of the day are often better than others, can you go at a different time of day? Or maybe try doing something that you can bring him along and still workout like walking the mall or a mommy/baby yoga class.
Of course their is the possibility that this has nothing to do with eating and he simply only wants you. My first born son was like that and not even his father could hold him when he decided he wanted me.
Good luck and try not to get too frustrated it does get easier. Remember, to your son, you are the whole world!
K.

Babies can be picky, esp. if you haven't given him a bottle at all until now. Sometimes it helps to not have you be the one trying to do it or even be in the room when someone else is trying. Also, the before-bed feeding is usually the hardest one to change because it is, many times, a comfort feeding to help little one fall asleep. I would suggest waiting a week or so and then having your hubby try a bottle while you are not close by, sometime other than bedtime. Babies can be picky about the nipples so try a few different types of bottles - maybe he just doesn't like the one you have. Also, play with the temperature a little. My daughter was very picky if her milk was not warm enough. Once he gets the hang of a bottle he won't be as picky about taking it more often. And although it is hard, if he is really hungry, he will give in and take it. Also, it won't be long until your hubby can start feeding him some real foods to tide him over. It is frustrating to feel always tied to your baby. Just remember they grow fast and although it feels like forever right now you will look back and it will seem like it flew by. Good luck!