Trouble with Bottle Feeding

This is about more than food. Your daughter is most likely missing having you around all the time, and enjoys her special time with you during the night. It is really common for breastfed babies to start nursing even more frequently during the night once their moms go back to work, as a way to reconnect. It's great that your dh wants to help, but it's not really help if you just end up being awake listening to her scream. I'd have her sleep nearby so that it's relatively easy to nurse her. If you're comfortable putting her in bed with you, that's the easiest. Cosleeping has saved many a working mom!

I also wanted to comment that adding rice cereal to her breastmilk isn't really helpful, and at that age is against the recommendations of the AAP. The current recommendation is exclusive breastfeeding until at least 6 months of age, and starting solids at some point during the second half of the first year.

Babies get confused about bottle feeding when their mothers are present. They can smell their mothers from 20-30 feet away, she can probably smell your scent at home even if you are not there. This is why she's okay with bottle feeding while at daycare, but not at home.

Also night feedings are usually babies' favorite feedings and so it is the last feeding to be weened off of because it helps the baby (and usually mother) relax. Why don't your husband feed the baby a bottle before you get home, (or while you are running an errand for 30 mins). When you get home, relax, eat and breastfeed the baby before bed. This way, the baby will get used to her father feeding her and she will be okay with it while you are there in the future.

In about 4 weeks, try giving her breastmilk mixed with rice cereal and have your husband spoon feed it to her. She will soon be at about the age to start experimenting with it and the little rubber tipped spoon. She will learn how to eat. I had to do this as a supplement b/c my baby wouldn't take a bottle from anyone. I only did it a couple of times. (This is only to tide her over once at night only and keep her from screaming before you get home.)

Also, have him feed her while she is still happy. Once a hungry baby is screaming, usually nursing is the only way to console her (remember they nurse for the experiance, not just the food!) This way, it is much easier to feed her and a more pleasant experiance. (Otherwise she will associate feedings with daddy with stress).

I hope all this helps. Try something and don't give up though! Let us know what helps!

My now six month old did the same thing. We figured out that having her face daddy (not cradled against him) worked. We would put her in her carseat or a bouncy or even putting her on his leg with his ankle across his knee facing him and she would take the bottle, but if he tried to hold her she threw a fit and would refuse everytime.

Hang in there,
K.

Don't give up! I have just sucessfully breastfed son for the past year (while also working full time), and am presently in the process of weaning. Your scenario sounds very familiar to me. My son would only accept pumped breastmilk from my mother-in-law at daytime feedings as well, and would not accept a bottle from Dad at all. It will take time for your daughter to begin to accept feedings from your husband, especially at night. The key is patience and persistence. Initially, if possible, you may have your husband introduce the bottle during some daytime feedings, possibly on weekends if he is available. This will allow your daughter time to get accustomed to receiving feedings from Dad. However, the nighttime feeding is quite tricky. I would suggest that you begin feeding baby at first, then allow Dad to offer the bottle to finish the feeding. This way baby will not be starving, and can become acclimated to receiving nourishment from Dad. This worked for me, and my son eventually began accepting full feedings from Dad AT NIGHT, allowing me some much needed rest. Again, consistency is key. Good luck!

She probably sees this as more than just a feeding. It is her personal time with you and you alone. Sonner than later she will begin sleeping through the night. Once she does you will miss this quite time that the two of you have. maybe he coul ddo an earlier evening feeding and you could catch a short nap in the evening to help with your sleep total. Good Luck