Help! Three Month Old on Nursing Strike After 2 Weeks of Bottle Feeding

He wants the bottle because it is far easier for him. It will take time for him to get the breast again. If you aren't using a slow flow nipple, switch and switch to the Playtex nurser with the latex (brown) nipple in slow flow. That is much more like the breast. I had to work backwards just like this to get my bottle fed (with my milk) preemie off the hospital bottles and to me. And it worked but it took time. Using the playtex you can push on the end and squirt just a touch of your milk in his mouth so he knows why the different nipple is there. When you feed him with this bottle use the skin to skin contact and hold him in the same position he would be held in for nursing. Then burp him and switch sides just as if he were nursing. Try this then try the breast again.

I pumped round the clock for 12 weeks while my son was hospitalized and then once he was home and I was trying to teach him to nurse so I totally understand. But he did get it and went on to successfully nurse for 16 months.

Is it the silicone he prefers or the easiness of milk flow he prefers? I've had several friends who had a very difficult time getting their baby to breastfeed because the baby didn't want to work at getting the milk out. They preferred not sucking as hard and getting a easy flow of milk. More than one of those friends bought the bottle that is supposed to simulate a breast in texture (I think) but definitely in the flow of milk. It made their baby work harder at sucking while still having the silicone. After using the bottle once, or several times for some, the baby actually began breastfeeding again.
I believe this is the bottle they used: http://www.breastflow.co.uk/index.htm

Dear A.,

don't give up. I had the same situation with my son and it was so frustrating. Pump and try to offer breast from time to time. Be patient. Some day he will understand that mommy is much better than silicone (in my case it took about 2 months).

All the best.

Dear A.,
I don't know what further advice I have as far as what to try, but my first baby weaned herself from the breast at 4 months. I tried everything. I had planned on nursing at least a year and she was just done with me. She had no interest in breastfeeding whatsoever. Things started out just great, she latched on immediately after birth and all was well until she just quit. She took to a bottle and never looked back. I was pretty heart broken, but the main thing was getting her the nutrition she needed however she got it and she was happy and healthy. I couldn't help feeling that I'd done something wrong, but she just didn't want the breast. Period. There was no sense in trying to force it.
If it's any consolation, my second baby was completely the opposite. My boobies made his world go around.
They are both very healthy, happy and well adjusted individuals so it worked out okay for both of them in their own little ways.
Keep trying, but if your baby is done with the breast, it's not the end of the world and you shouldn't beat yourself up over it. Some babies just have a harder time which makes it harder emotionally on mommy.

If he's getting breast milk, however he gets it, it's a good thing.

Best wishes.

Hi A.,

There was a similar question here a few days back...I've modified my reply to that request, but check out the questions from a few days back to see what several other Mamas commented - there was some great stuff!

Ugh - I'm so sorry you are going through this! My daughter had a real rough time nursing from 10-18 weeks (and then occasionally after that), and I remember how difficult it was. Looking back, I think she was already having some teething pain, although she didn't break a tooth through until 5.5 months. The difference between my DD any your little guy is that she wouldn't take a bottle either...I was just beside myself, and was soooo frustrated.

Are you in a situation where you need him to take a bottle now? If not, keep encouraging him to nurse. In my opinion (and that's all it is!), this is not a weaning, but a strike.

To get my daughter to nurse, I would try to catch her before she woke up all the way and get her latched on before she even knew what was going on! ;) We were on a pretty good routine of nursing mostly after sleeping, so I could catch her a lot this way. I found if I swaddled her up or held her tight and swayed or walked around as I nursed that helped...just about killed my arms and back though! Whew! My SIL reminded me that in some places, bottles aren't an option...and they really will eat if they get desperate! A couple other ideas...maybe try a change of scenery?? Maybe outdoors if you have a private patio area? And...sometimes, I'd get her latched onto her paci and would try to make a quick switch...sometimes it did work! Also, try a dark place so that there are no distractions. My mom reminded me throughout my nursing "journey" that there are times throughout that first year that babies will try to wean...and if I didn't want her to wean, I was going to have to really work through those times. For me, it was totally worth it, but it was definitely hard work!

BUT - also remember you aren't a failure if he stops nursing. I really do think he'll come around though. My daughter did, and boy is she stubborn! ;) We were able to nurse till almost 17 months when she weaned completely, and it was a pleasant experience once we got through those couple of tough months....and she's 27 months now!

Message me if I can offer you any more words of encouragement...keep talking to the lactation consultant too.

Take care,
R.

Sounds like your baby has weaned himself from the breast. Take a deep breath and realize that it is ok and there is no need to be so hard on yourself. Sure you wanted to breast feed him for a year but sometimes that just isn't feasible(you need to follow your baby's lead and not force him-forcing him will only make you more frustrated and drained). Continue pumping and storing the milk so he can have the best of both worlds. Also, now you can have his father help with the feedings.

Again, don't be so hard on yourself. All that matters is that your baby is getting the nutrition that he needs. Take care!