Wont Take Bottle

Updated on November 07, 2008
C.W. asks from Auburn, CA
13 answers

my problem is this my daughter is almost 8 months old and will not take bottle. i'm still breastfeeding so she likes me much more. she used to go back and forth no problem but it has been over an month and no bottle. i hadnt been away long enough for her to need a bottle. my husband tried and so did i. any clues or tips to get her to go back. i have just gotten sippy cups too

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So What Happened?

thanks to all i got a couple of sippy cups and i put some water in it. she drinks a little at a time so at least we are getting some where.

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G.R.

answers from Sacramento on

Try the sippy cups! Maybe she is ready to move on to them. My little boy was breastfed and would never take a bottle, but loved drinking out of cups. We won't have to take the bottle away.

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V.D.

answers from Sacramento on

My son refused bottles...never took them. He was very successful with sippy cups but not if it had breast milk in it. So, I ended up nursing him until he was 13 months old and from 12 months to 13 months transitioned him to whole milk as I weaned him from nursing. Also, he didn't like regular sippy cups but liked to Take-n-Toss type or I'd remove the "stopper" so the liquid would flow out easily without him having to do a lot of hard sucking. Just be aware if the stopper is out that your child may need time to adjust to the fast flow of liquid. Good luck.

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M.C.

answers from Stockton on

Hi C.,

Are you going back to work or a SAHM. There is nothing wrong with breast. I did not ween my children until 13 mo. Nathan only wanted me ( no baby food-I tried to make and buy ). Isabell was good with baby food, but still my milk. If you are not working then don't bottles.

M.

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N.C.

answers from Sacramento on

I would offer her solids, rice cereal if you haven't started yet mixed with your breast milk, then I would offer her a bottle. The new way of eating just might through her off. Have you tried formula in a bottle and breast milk, obviouly, from you so there is a difference. Not very helpful, but just a suggestion.

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S.C.

answers from Sacramento on

try a sippy cup. S.

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M.P.

answers from Modesto on

My daughter didn't take a bottle either (she is going to be 3 in December). I would recommed going to sippy cups or the ones with straws. You can try to pump and give it to her in a cup but it might actual be that she wants you to hold her and have all of your attention which you are doing while nursing.

By the way, I would also recommed to start weaning if you don't plan on breastfeeding after she is 1. I just stop breastfeeding her about 3 weeks ago and it wasn't easy. I think the only reason why I didn't stop earlier was because I couldn't bare hearing her cry (trust me I started to try at 18 mths) and feeling gulity that I was away from her all day at work (I normally don't get home until after 8 pm). It wasn't that she needed the breast milk. It was that she wanted my attention.

Hope it works out for you!!!

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L.K.

answers from San Francisco on

Forget the bottle and go with the sippy cup. Use one with a soft rubbery spout. This worked great for our daughter who refused the bottle completely!

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A.A.

answers from San Francisco on

C.
put milk, fomula, breast milk in the sippy cup, she does not need water or juice...

A.

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A.G.

answers from Redding on

Hmmm, I am not sure what to suggest for you. I did ween both of mine much earlier than that. I know that formula is NOT the same taste as Breast Milk. Breast Milk is much sweeter and has a different texture. How is your production rate? If you produce enough milk to pump when your baby isn't watching try pumping some when she isn't looking. If that is just not an option. Try taste testing a few different formulas to see which one really does taste the same. For the most part the nutrition is pretty good for most labels comparative to breast milk so no need to ask which one is best. Usually breast milk is perferred due to the immunities that the mother carries and the fact that the baby has no immunities when born or before their first shots. At eight months old you simply don't have to worry about that any more unless you have opted out of having shots?

I know that all of the parenting advice boils down to consistancy and following through. If you are trying to cut down on the interruptions in your day and make it so that your baby is happier regardless of how she is feed make a schedule and keep to it. I would think a nuzzle with mom in the morning before the day starts and one in the evening with mom before bed time should be more than sufficient. If you choose to do this than no matter how much she cries, whines, and make other sounds that wench out your heart you have to stick to it (NO Exceptions). Yes, MUCH easier said than done. But it is always best when you stick to a plan and consistantly follow through than anything else.

Oh... another thought! Bottle Tops! They are usually made for different ages and stages are you using the same ones or did you replace them for her new age? And if you already changed them did you go for one that is most naturally shaped for her mouth?

Good Luck and I hope for the best for you and yours.

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A.K.

answers from San Francisco on

My daughter never took a bottle well either. So, at about 7 months I started to try a sippy. She did not really like that either, so I tried the ones with a straw and she would do those. Nubby and Munchkin both make them.

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S.S.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi there! My second daughter refused a bottle no matter what...we started her on a sippy cup at about 6 months to help when I was gone (I breastfed as well). She got to be a 'big girl' and that helped. I would give it a try...and the bonus is you won't have to break the bottle habit later! Good luck.

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B.R.

answers from Sacramento on

At 8 months, she might be ready for you to even try a regular glass or cup (with a lot of help from an adult). She might not get all the comfort she would from a nipple, but at least she'd get her nourishment, and would be getting the opportunity to practice "big girl" skills... and it's amazing how proud they can be at doing that. If you find you need to be away from her long enough for it to make a big difference, she's likely to get used to the idea that if she needs a nipple she'll have to accept a bottle.
I've found that the straw cups are better than sippys... less spilling and easier for the child to drink from. I think they also must be closer to the sensation of sucking from a nipple, so probably more satisfying in that respect.

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J.F.

answers from San Francisco on

Have your husband give her the bottle and wait her out. When she gets hungry enough, she'll take the bottle. I had the same problem. It took a few hours, but my daughter finally gave in and drank from the bottle.

They say that babies can smell their mothers mile within 20 feet. I suggest leaving the house, do some errands, anything to keep your mind occupied.

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