My husband and sister and mother in law have all fed my son a bottle of breastmilk from time to time. I was even able to give him a bottle recently when we were home one afternoon and he was being fussy for my husband. I demand feed him as I have not been working. There has never been an issue unitl the last few days. He was using the nipples for a 0-3 month old and I switched to the 3-6 month as he is now in that age range. The first time I think he hated it, he was screaming and he was about 11 weeks so I went back to the 0-3 month nipples. He takes maybe 2 to 3 bottles a week. Anyway, the last few times my husband has tried to bottle feed him he may take 1 or 2 ounces and then is screaming or very fussy and this was never a problem before. I did an experiment today and he took 2 oz from me but when I stopped to burp him he did not want to go back to the bottle, I put him on my breast and he fell asleep in about 2 seconds which is what he did last night too. I always give him my breasts. Like I said this has never been a problem before. My fear is that my husband and I are going to start having a sitter from time to time so we can get out and I want her to be able to give him a bottle. I also want my husband to be able to do the same. Is this temporary? Any advice? I am so worried that he is not going to take the bottle and what if I go back to work part time? I am thinking of doing this in August. My only other thought is maybe he is going through a growth spurt due to his tiredness. Sorry to go on and on, stressed out some!
As long as he takes a few ounces from a bottle, I think he would be ok. If you leave him with a sitter and he is hungry, he will at least accept the bottle enough to hold him over till you get home. Same with Dad.
Just keep giving him a bottle a few times a week. And I agree with the other response that said go back to the slower flowing nipple -- the breast is slower than most bottles and he probably dislikes the difference.
I would see if he'll take a bottle if you're not around. Maybe you could go out and have your husband try it. Our first was great if the real thing wasn't available. He eventually came to prefer formula if it was in a bottle rather than milk. He started about 3 months refusing a bottle if I was in the room, or eating just enough to stave off hunger. He was never a problem for a babysitter, though. GL! and congratulations!
I don't think this would be a permanent thing. Everything changes all the time. My little guy will throw a total fit sometimes and will refuse to eat from the bottle or me until I get him calmed down (almost asleep) then he will usually take it. Sometimes, I have to plug the binkie in his mouth and wait for him to calm, then unplug and switch to breast or bottle. Keep giving him bottles when you can so he stays used to them. I know I was worried about this a lot too, but kids are pretty resiliant and he will come around. And then a month later, he'll be up to the same shenanigans.
I can say that you giving him a bottle isn't a good idea as he can smell your breasts and if he prefers that he will fuss to get it. Anyone else should however be able to feed him with a bottle. It is very smart to get him used to a bottle so you can have some freedom! However you have no real idea how much he is taking in from the breast so he may only be taking from a bottle what he takes from the breast, no way to gauge how much in ounces he is actually taking when breast fed.
I would say just keep giving him the bottle, expect resistance if you are around as he will smell you and wants you.
I would also consider mixing in formula when you are out with the breast milk so he if he is only taking in a few ounces it will stay with him a little longer then breast milk.
Just an idea.
Just remember he prefers "you" then the bottle so it may be very hard you giving him a bottle personally.
keep trying. i only breastfeed, so i can't give much advice on how or why. but with getting out: i feed my baby right before we leave him with a sitter, which usually gives us a good 2 hour date. be firm, don't give into the temptation to give up. that's what we did. that's why i only breastfeed, which really isn't that bad either. ;)
Hi S.. I had the same problem w/my daughter when she was about the same age. At first she would take the bottle w/breastmilk, but one day she just decided she didn't want it anymore. I've been breastfeeding exclusively every since.
I tried using different nipple types from different brands and also tried having my husband giving her the bottle. Maybe this will work for you.
Good luck.
My only advice would be this: if it is important to you that he take a bottle, DON'T GIVE UP!! I went through the same thing with 3 of my boys. They were taking a bottle fine and then one day they quite. They would cry and fuss until I would give in and nurse. As a result, I have gone through 3 boys who didn't take bottles. You make it through, you just don't go very far for very long. So if it's important to you, keep trying the bottle. Offer it to him often and hope that he will return to taking the bottle. Good luck. It's not all a bad thing that he likes to nurse. I feel like I had some special bonding moments through nursing my children.
I had a similar problem with my son when he was around the same age. It is true that most babies need to have a bottle every day to keep them reminded of how to do it. I didn't like that idea because I really enjoyed nursing, but it was the only way to prepare him for my return to work. You might struggle with it emotionally, but it's better for you and your husband if you keep him acquainted with a bottle. I agree that he may need to stay on the 0-3 mo nipple. There's nothing wrong with that. We kept my son a small nipple until he took a sippy cup. It's just more similar to the breast. He might getting the milk faster than he's used to, and that's why he's upset after 1-2 oz. Maybe his tummy hurts. Anyway, good for you for nursing! And I'm sure it will work out, these things always do.
If he does ok with the bottle with the 0 to 3 month nipples than why not continue to use those? The 3 to 6 month nipples probably flow to fast and are less like the breast. Use what works for him. There's no law that says your child must use the nipple for his exact age.
If you're comfortable planning your work schedule and outings around feedings, you might choose to exclusively breastfeed, particularly if he will be on solids when you return to work. If you really want to have a bottle for a back up, it will be important to pick a nipple he'll accept and offer a snack, possibly everyday, between meals. For example, if he eats at 10 AM or so, offer 1/2 - 1 oz of breast milk in the bottle an hour later--not enough to influence his next breastfeeding, but enough to establish a rhythm on the bottle and consistency in accepting it. It is normal for breastfeeding babies to refuse the botte if they aren't used to using it practically daily, which is why a tiny amount is a good choice.
consider the breast bottle - it's soft and shaped like a breast. I got mine from www.onestepahead.com. It's called the Adiri Natural nurser. Both my breastfed children took to this bottle and not really to any other type.
Is it possible that you are not reading his signs right? If he fell asleep at your breast maybe he was tired and not hungry. Your breast serves many purposes and the bottle really is only to feed. If you have been on demand feeding you might be feeding very often and sometimes just for comfort. I would make sure he is VERY hungry when you give him the bottle. Also, the sometimes sense when you are around, so I would make sure you aren't in the room and he can't even hear you next time he gets the bottle.
My daughter screamed a few times when my husband tried to give her the bottle and this is what I have concluded. When I have gone to work she has never had a problem.
