Exhausted from Breastfeeding, Baby Won't Take Bottle

My first baby was the same way! What you may not realize is that your baby just enjoys nursing, even when he isn't hungry. He enjoys your smell and the warmth of your skin as much as he enjoys your milk. When babies nurse, they control the amount of milk they get and sometimes will continue suckling even without drinking. My first baby never took a bottle, pacifier, or any other substitute for mommy. She just wanted me. Yes, it was exhausting at times, but I learned to be a patient, selfless parent, and it made me a better mommy to my other babies when they came along, even though they weren't nearly as fussy.

Don't give up on your little guy. He's just letting you know that he needs YOU. Try to take short breaks (an hour or two) when you know your baby is not hungry, just so you can clear your head. He may cry while you're gone, but hopefully your husband can handle it. One thing my husband always did was give our baby her bath and get her in clean clothes and spend time with her (he would put on music and dance with her!) so I could have a mental break. Even just an hour away would help, and I would come back ready to hold and nurse my baby again. Please believe me that it does get better!

You'll have to try a lot of nipples before you will find one he will take. Our daughter takes Breast Flow.
I suggest that you go buy one of every bottle that they have made for nursing babies and keep trying!
Right now you have no other job except mommy. Not cooking, cleaning, or even laundry. You sleep every chance you get no matter how terrible the house looks. Sleep when baby sleeps, nap when baby naps and doze when he is content. No joke. Don't feel guilty you are doing the best thing for your baby.
I remember those days, and O promise it will get better with just a few nights or days sleep. However, I suggest that before this blessed event of sleeping for more than a few hours, pump yourself completely try, becasue chances are you will wake up engorged and crying again, but this time for hime to nurse.

Good Luck!

Babies at that age nurse often because they have very small tummys that can't hold alot for a long period of time. Breast milk also digest much quicker than formula, so thats why your baby nurses so much, he needs to fill full again. I love the Playtex Nurser bottle.It was the best! The bag insert to contain the milk is to be a replica of a soft breast releasing milk as if the baby was latched on its mother.Does your baby use a pacifier? That might also help transition to a bottle. I reccomend the Nuk pacifier.Pumping milk is a good thing if you can get your baby to use the bottle. You can expess and store for future feedings and also keep up your milk supply. Good Luck!!

I have three suggestions. First, to help him start taking a bottle, pump some milk for the bottle and offer it to him before he acts hungry or midway between feedings. If he's starving and can't get the milk out as easily, he will probably give up and scream for the breast. If he's not starving but could eat some, he may be more willing to "try it out" without screaming for the breast. Second, if you're worried about milk supply, pump and store some milk as well as feeding for a while just to see how much you're actually producing. If you can get a couple of ounces in fifteen to thirty minutes, you're making enough for him. Pumping for a few minutes after it seems like there's no more will help stimulate more milk production and you'll probably have more than enough for your little guy in no time. Third, be very vigilant and aware of post partem depression. The lack of sleep, frustration with breastfeeding and other things that come with being a new parent can cause the "baby blues" or depression. Just be aware of that possibility so that you can better understand your feelings. Good luck with the bottle and breastfeeding. You're doing the right thing by offering him your breast. (or breastmilk in a bottle) Good luck.

my dd was the same way. at around 2 months I was so worn out and had had it, I needed a break I went shopping by myself for a couple of hours at feeding time--my husband was armed with bottles of different sizes and nipples. Once dd realized mom wasn't there she finally took the bottle. I have never heard the whole war story because I didn't care--I just needed a break. Babies eat when they are hungry--it may take a few tries but there is life after breastfeeding. I promise.

A.,
How many different kinds of bottles and nipples have you tried? My oldest son and youngest daughter both ate like this! It is exhausting, I remember. (My son is now 28, and my daughter 12) But, I do remember what happened. My doctor gave me the same advice as yours gave you. Pump some breast milk and let Daddy give the baby a bottle to give Mommy a break. That was easier said than done.

I can imagine how I would feel if I went from drinking from a soft, natural nipple, and then somebody tried feeding me from a hard plastic nipple! Yuck! But, I did find one brand of bottle and nipple that both of my children would take. It's an old reliable brand, the Playtex Nurser, with the big squishy nipple and you have to put the plastic bag inside the bottle, and the breast milk inside the plastic bag. Then you squeeze all of the air out of the bag before you feed the baby. My babies didn't mind this bottle and nipple at all. It was a life saver! Instead of crying out of exhaustion, I cried with joy when they took this bottle and started eating!

So, don't give up, try this kind of bottle and nipple if you haven't already. I know from having grandchildren that there are other brands of bottles with squishy nipples, but not another one I've seen with the big squishy nipple like the Playtex Nurser has. With all of the different brands out there you should be able to find one that works for you. (I hope my suggestion works for you though so you don't have to keep buying different brands to try.)

Good luck to you and congratulations on your baby boy!

I am a working mom with 5 children, ages 28 to 12, with only the 12 year-old living at home now. I also have 5 grandchildren.

Although I never had the trouble with getting my babies to take a bottle (I was never able to breastfeed) I do know that he is young enough to be able to learn to take a bottle. Try all of the different types of nipples that are out there. There might be just one that is what he needs. Perhaps if you are in the room, he can smell you. Try to leave him with daddy and see if that changes things. Try to give him the bottle before he gets hysterically hungry. Try try try! If it is something that will save your sanity, keep trying. Happy mommy's are just as important as happy babies!