Breastfed 3 Mo Old Will Not Take Bottle

Hi K.,
I really don't have a whole lot of advice for you, but I went through the same thing with my youngest daughter. We just kept trying different things until she finally would take the bottle. We tried different bottles, different ways to hold her, all kinds of things. The only thing I can tell you is to just keep on trying. Good luck to you.
J.

Have someone else give him the bottle until he gets used to it. If he smells your breast milk, he will want that and not take the bottle.

Hi K.!
Your son sounds like he is already exerting his independence. (grin) There are other options... You can try a sippy cup, or just a plain cup. You may also find that once you reurn to work your son drinks less during the hours you are apart and waits for you...
I would love to discuss more options with you...
L. G

My baby wouldn't take a bottle either. My sister (whom the baby was staying with) found that feeding from a small cup worked to get her going and then she would take a bottle after that. My sister had to cut a big hole in the nipple of the bottle, so it would come out faster. It might be that the flow of the nipple isn't similar to your own and you might need a faster flow. My daughter took to a sippy cup sooner than most because after a while she just didn't want the bottle. I read that babies that were breastfed and stay with a caregiver sleep most of the time during the day and nurse at night. That's what mine did.

My son had a problem going to the bottle when I had to return to work. I finally realized it was because the milk was not warm enough. I had told the daycare not to warm in the microwave. So, they were using a warm bowl of water and sitting the bottle in it. That did not work well. Once I figured out the problem he started to take it. I'd suggest warming the bowl of water in the microwave then sitting the bottle in it. Test the milk of course but try to keep it really warm. When the milk comes out of us it is very warm. Also, I found the silicone playtex nipples worked the best and having someone other than your self feed him.

Are you pumping or trying formula?

Mine didn't take a bottle from me very well....but would for the daycare. Also he started taking less milk when I was gone and nursed more when we were together (yep including at night). I also went and nursed him on my lunch break.

K.,

I didn't have this problem with my breastfed baby but my cousin did. She had to have her husband give their daughter the bottle b/c she wouldn't take it from her. It was almost as if she knew there was something better from mama than a bottle. She would have her husband give the bottle before bedtime and she would have to go in another room for their daughter to focus on it and eat. I think it took some patience but it did work. Good luck!

Have you tried having someone other than you give the bottle? That is what worked for me, I had my mom do it while I was not in the house. Also the bottle nipple we used matched the passie.

You didn't mention if you are attempting to feed your baby formula or breast milk from the bottle. This will certainly make a difference. If you are not pumping breast milk and are trying to switch directly to formula this may be your problem. Good luck!

There is a bottle that has a nipple designed just like the breast. Here is a link to one kind that is also carried at Target.

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId...

Here's a different type of bottle that is designed just like the breast.

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId...

Here is the third type. You might can find it in baby stores. Just shop around online for the name brand.

http://www.onfulfillment.com/adiri/

Good luck! Let me know if any of these work or if you decide to try one of these products.

I had the same problem with my middle daughter and I am sad to say she never took the bottle. Luckily I was able to stay home and just had to continue breast feeding until she was a little over 10 months then wnt straight to sippy cups. I will tell you some of the tricks I was told to try by both friends and Dr. The first is of course be consistent and don't give up. I was told eventually they will get hungry enough to take the bottle. (I had a very persistent child with a horribly loud cry) :) When I switched to formula I was told to add a little carnation instant breakfst drink in vanilla flavor to sweeten it up. I don't know if it would work with breast milk if that is what you are putting in the bottle but I don't see why not. Some poeple do go just to sippy cups even at that young of an age. Final thing I can think of is if it is at all possible have someone else try to give the bottle to him. Hope one of these things work! Good luck!

K.,

I agree with the first response. Also, (it's been six years for me) but evenflo had a new silicon nipple that was more rounded that the other and my daughter really liked that one.

Jen

None of my three children who were breastfed for 13 months would take a bottle. We tried every nipple and bottle we could find. We gave sippy cups to my oldest (the soft ones), and finally found Avent bottles when I had the twins, and they would take that although they were not thrilled to get the bottle instead of breast, and since I stayed at home they only needed to use them when we went out.

Yes... that happened to me too. My little girl got teeth and was biting me and I was so sore that I would die before letting her breastfeed again. I could take it so I started the bottle at 10/11 months old. She wouldn't take a bottle for anything. But trust me. If she/he gets hungry enough he will take it. My little girl got sleepy before she would take a bottle. I laid her down and when she woke up she was starved. I gave her the bottle and she took it like she was starving. She was glad to have it then. It took about 3 or 4 days of NO breast whatsoever and then she preferred the bottle. So just hold your ground and stick to your guns. It will happen. I tried to wean properly but my nipples were bleeding and it was so painful that I just couldn't wean properly. It isn't easy knowing that your child is hungry but it would be alot easier now, than going to work and knowing that she is crying the whole time she is with a sitter knowing he is hungry.

have someone else feed him with a bottle and you not be around. He is use to you being his bottle so it's going to take some time to get him use to a bottle bottle.

Keep trying! Try having someone else feed him when you are not around. If he knows you are there, why should he settle for "second best" when the good stuff is available? ANother thing to try is letting him nurse for a minute and then see if you can slip the bottle in there when he's too busy to notice.

I have known lots of babies like this, and eventually, they will take a bottle, but usually not from mom. The care provider will have better luck--even if it takes him a few days, he won't refuse it forever. I know that freaks you out, to think of him going that long without eating, but he will make up for it early morning and all night long until he gets past his aversion. You won't be starving him :o)

Another thing to consider, is feeding him via spoon, dropper/syringe, or small medicine cup. Takes longer, is messier, but it can be done and often babies who can't suck are fed this way.

Good luck momma!

mine were stricly breastfed too - when it comes down to it....if he's hungry enough he'll take it. Get one of the ones that are meant to be similar to the breast. He'll do fine once he has to have them. May be some way to make money without having to go back to work - look into working from home - worth a look-see. Good luck!!

Hi! My sis-in-law went thru the same thing. Doc told her to just stop nursing and only offer the bottle. He will get hungry and will eventually take it. He did too. You may have to do that. I hope this helps!
T.
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