Switching to a Bottle Instead of Breastfeeding

This is so frustrating, I know. My daughter took the bottle from time to time but right around 4 months she totally refused as well. It didn't matter if dad did it or grandma, if I was there or not, my daughter would freak out the minute she saw the bottle coming towards her. It had nothing to do with the nipple and all to do with her not wanting to.

When I went back to work at month 5, my nanny had better luck getting her to take a bottle. Eventually they get thirsty enough and take it. It was never easy. Oh, contrary to what others said, it was me (and not dad) who was the one who was able to get her to take the bottle (the first time after she started refusing). There is nothing that works for everyone, but here are a few things I tried that I found helpful:

- put a bottle of bmilk or formula near her during play time(just 1-2 oz so as not to waste it), don't force her to drink at all, just get her used to it being nearby, slowly ease her into putting it in her mouth, etc. This didn't produce any amazing results, but did seem to help a little.

- When you know she is hungry, if she takes the pacifier, have her suck on that nice and calmly. Maybe even swaddle and bounce or rock her. When you think she is ready, gently take out the pacifier and put in the bottle.

- My daughter didn't like formula all that much, but when I was getting low on b-milk I did half formula and half b-milk that seemed to work fine.

If you are stopping the b-feeding because you are going to work, then I would offer encouragement that most babies do take the bottle with their caretaker. My pediatrician said that thirst is the strongest drive humans have, and when babies are really thirsty they will definitely drink. I will say though, that my daughter really didn't love the bottle ever. She grudgingly took it for a few months, but at about 9-10 months she refused again. At that point, we just went to the sippy cup.

I think it is also hard because when you are b-feeding you are so tethered to home and it can be really hard to feel like a "real person" and get errands done, etc. But I would say hang in there, because 1) it does get a lot easier, and 2) the months will pass before you know it (even though it doesn't seem like it now)!

Good luck with whatever you do. This is SO frustrating, but you will get through it and your daughter will be fine. There will be a day where this will be behind you!!! Hang in there!

J.,

Try having your husband offer the bottle while you are out of the house. She's probably refusing it because she can smell you. I don't remember where I read/heard this, but babies can smell their lactating mother from around 20 feet away.

Hope this helps,
Melissa

My daugter did that too at 4 months. A friend helped me out with a suggestion that worked. She asked if my daughter was a binky girl, which she was. She suggested playtex orthopedic nipples. You have to buy the playtex bottles with "drop ins" and then buy the nipples separately. You can find them at most drug stores. This worked for us. We had to put away all of the avent bottles that my son used but eventually she would take any bottle. I hope this helps. S.

I had the same problem with my 2.5 month old daughter. She took a bottle early on but then refused it after breastfeeding was well established. I was really worried about this last weekend since I had a business event to attend the whole weekend. We went cold turkey and it was actually easier than we expected. She complained for a bit for the first night but eventually took a bottle from my husband and now that I am home tonight ... took one from him again while I was in the same room!

I recommend what the previous person said ... have your husband try a bottle with you out of the house. Run to the mall or do some grocery shopping while he tries feeding her. If it doesn't work the first time, try it again. I went out with my girlfriends last month and she wasn't ready for a bottle then but she did just fine this weekend. Anyway, I really hope something works for you!

There's nothing like the real thing bsby... Your daughter associates your touch, your smell to breast feeding. If you want her to take a bottle try having your husband feed her with one. Is there a reason to stop breast feeding or to start using a bottle? 4 mo. is pretty soon to stop nursing. I can understand your fatigue and wanting to get out of the milk production mode having two together so close, but talk with your pediatrician about the early introduction of solids and moving to the bottle before 6 months. You're frustrating her and yourself. Nurse her so she can eat and relax to sleep and you will both feel better.