Advice on How to Get Nursing Child to Take a Bottle

Well keep at it--some babies are just slow eaters. It usually took about 30 min to feed my son at first and as he got older he got faster and ate more. But have you tried using different sized nipple? Maybe a bigger number so it comes out easier? (like a 1 if you are using a 0)

Hi, the soothie bottles with the green nipples are supposed to work really well. They say they are designed just like the breast and it also makes switching back and forth easier. Hope I was of some help! Good luck!

K.

I had the same problem with my son when I went back to work. I struggled for about 2 weeks prior, trying to get him to take a bottle with no success. I remember telling my mom the first morning she had him, "Good luck, it's probably going to be a long day." When I got home, she just laughed and said he did just fine. I don't know what the trick was, but she managed to get him adjusted to a bottle, and now, at 8 months, he still nurses, but will take a bottle (even from me) just fine. If you haven't tried it already, be sure you are out of the room (or house) when your husband (or anyone other than you) tries to feed with the bottle. Maybe it was the change of routine that got my son to take it. And do not give up - eventually your daughter will take the bottle, it will just take time. Good luck - I know how frustrating it can be.
C.

Hi R., the sug , that i ahve for you probably want work during the day, only at night. While the child is sleepnig , place a nipples to a bottle on top of your breast. Make sure the whole is big enough, you shoildn't have problems with this, it's really the warmth of your body the baby is looking for, however once the babay has made the connection, weaning should not be so complicated after that.

I did not breastfeed past two weeks (had a little difficulty)so when I went to the bottle my daughter didn't have trouble because she was so young. But anyway my friends who do breastfeed use the Playtex Nurser bottles and their children do well with them. I also use the Playtex Nurser bottles and LOVE them. The drop-ins are wonderful when it comes to cleaning, too. Best of luck, and just stick with it. Eventually she'll figure it out!

Good Morning R.,

I have a suggestion for you unless you have already tried it. My son was very picky as well, the only bottle that he would drink from was Gerber bottles which I found at walmart. The nipple looked more like a normal breast, I even tried the first years bottles with no luck ~ this type had an additional insert in the nipple that was suppose to help release the milk, but he didn't like it. Good Luck and keep trying soon one type will work.

hi R.,
playtex and gerber make several different types of nipples just keep trying them till she takes to one. i breast fed both of my boys and my little one (now two) was the hardest to switch from brest to bottle..but after two months of trying diffent nipples for the bottle he finally settled for playtex the brown nipples (if you can find them) have a more natural mouth feel to them then the clear silicone they feel more like mom. she may also be objecting to the formula. you may try different ones of those as well (two weeks per try) she'll let you know when she's found the combo she likes best. good luck hang in there!
S.

Have you tried the second nature bottles, the nipple is designed to flow like a mothers nipple. Also try giving her just breastmilk in her bottles, maybe she doesnt like the formula. Good luck, and congratulations.

it has been a while --(my youngest is 2) -- but I remember changing nipples on the bottle......all nipples were not created equal and babies do have a preference. Also, the idea of a bottle versus the breast -- in general, babies prefer the breast......so weening is really important - less and less time on the breast is the way to go. Because then the baby is always going to hold out for what they prefer. Think of yourself at a restaurant and they say you could have your favorite Pepsi if you wait 10 minutes -- or Coke right now. You'd hold out for the Pepsi. Try to ween totally and babies want to survive and won't starve themselves unless there is some other underlying medical condition. But do try different nipples......for the proper age range -- they vary. She may prefer a different type nipple. Also, always talk to your doctor -- something else might be going on totally.

I had this problem with both my boys. All of my babies have been NICU babies. I would nurse my sons when I was there and then the nurses would have a hard time getting them to eat. With my second boy one of the nurses said, "Yeah he's doing the same thing his brother did. But once he realizes you aren't here and he's hungry, it gets much easier to convince him to take the bottle." That's the key! Once she realizes Mommy isn't here right now and she's hungry, she will eat. Babies won't starve. Once it's time to eat and they really are hungry, whatever you poke in their mouth (breast or bottle) will make them happy.

Hi R.. How have you been? I read your post and have no personal experience, unfortunately. We never used bottles in my house because I never leave.
My best friend just gave her baby a bottle for the first time. She left the house, so she would not "cave" and had her mom do it. He put up a great big fight but he was finally hungry enough to take it.
I'll call you soon. I need your address so I can send you your MOPS registration papers and we talk a little more about it.
I really hope to meet up with you soon. I'd love to meet you and get our children together.
Have a great day!
B.