Wont to Stop Breastfeeding but Baby Wont Take Formula or Bottle

Kim there is usually a window for babies to take a bottle, between 5 and 7 weeks. If she has never taken a bottle try to start her by finger feeding her. Get a syringe and feeding tube. Fill the syringe with breast milk and place the tube next to your pinky and insert them into her mouth. when she starts to suck on your pinky push the milk slowly through the tube and into her mouth. when she stops sucking you stop the flow. continue until she gets the hang of it then slowly introduce the bottle.

First of all, congratulations on breastfeeding for 4 months! I know it can be difficult at times, yet nursing is very rewarding, no matter if you do stop at this time. Have you considered that your daughter may be going through a growth spurt and needing the extra calories and feedings to grow? This could also be attributing to her fussiness, in addition to the teething. Regarding the gassiness - at 4 months my daughter was very gassy. This lasted on and off till about 7 months, no matter what I eliminated from my diet and could be very embarrassing in public! It has now subsided. She also loved to be held and refused to take a bottle. Regarding the need to be held - well, this is just how infants are and they need that comfort to learn to trust those around them, especially you. In addition, I have told myself that when my daughter is older, she will never want to be held this way again nor will I be her world, so I actually now relish holding her and being affectionate with her with no complaints. Yes, it can be cumbersome at times, but I did find that putting her in a wrap or sling helped with her fussiness and I had extra hands to do the stuff I needed to do. Have you tried this? When it comes to giving a bottle, you may have to have someone else (dad, grandma) give your daughter a bottle as your daughter knows you as the one to give breastmilk, not formula in a bottle. I know you are tired and you sound frustrated. Just know that this will pass! Also, making bottles of formula, heating them, washing them - this also takes time and can be tiring as well. I would definitely look into seeing Tracy who is a Lactation Consultant at the Birthing Inn(Inova Loudoun Hospital). You do not have to have delivered there to see them. They have a free walk-in session on Wednesdays, I believe. Tracy is excellent and can give you some great pointers and ideas, even if you choose to stop breastfeeding. I could write tons more, if you have any questions simply email me and I'd be glad to talk to you personally and simply give you support!

Hi Kim,

I have a son who is 3 now and a daughter who is 9 months. I breastfed my son until he was 13months and I am still breastfeeding my daughter now. I have to tell you that out of all the research I have done, breastmilk is the VERY best thing for your baby. If you can do it for the first year, I would really encourage it!! I know it is hard and tiring at times, but your baby will be better for it, and you will too! (I lost my baby weight very quickly and I know nursing helped)

There are three things that I have done that helped when nursing...
1. Watch what you eat and how your baby reacts afterward. When she seems extra fussy, try to avoid the food you ate that you think may have triggered it. Bland food was best for me for the first few months.

2. Mother's Milk tea- by Traditional Medicinals (I think that's how it's spelled) I would drink a cup of this tea and notice more milk right away. This tea promotes healthy lactation and more milk production.

3. Rice Ice Cream- Probably sounds funny, but my sister-in-law told me about this. It boosts your milk supply too. Both of my babies would scream and cry when I had dairy in my diet. You may also want to cut back on dairy and see if that helps. Milk is a very allergenic food esp. for small tummies.

Hope this helps!

J. Lewett :)

May I suggest that you eat more protein and fat? It always seemed to help my babies (4) sleep better and longer if I ate plenty of protein and fat. The last one slept all night at 4mos. Veggies can give them real bad gas. I am not saying don't eat veggies just up the other stuff. Grab a glass of milk, some eggs, steak, good whole milk cheese etc. And don't forget to get something sweet for sweet milk. Good luck to you, D.
PS dont drink so much water that your milk gets to thin.