14 Wk Old Will Refusing to Take Bottle - Not Eating for up to 12 Hours

My oldest did the same thing - she would NOT take the bottle and would just not eat while I was away - she was older ( 7 months) when I went back to work and eventually started cereals/solids - but she never would take breast milk from a bottle - she ended up taking formula from the bottle with no problems.

My youngest never took a bottle - so I never did go back to work - she went to a cup when she was finally big enough (about 6 months).

I sure hope some mammas have some helpful tips...

Good luck!!

I went through the same thing with my younger son - some kids are very strong willed and know what's best - straight from the source (Mom). He never did take a bottle nor would he ever take breastmilk except "fresh squeezed", so I wouldn't be so certain your pedi is right. She may adjust to the new schedule - but, unfortunately, that's not optimal for her health.

I was fortunate in that my son's caregiver was 5 minutes from work, so they paged me when he was hungry and I always went at lunchtime. Is it possible for your mother to bring her to your workplace at least once a day (Ideally twice) to nurse? - I had a friend who did that and it worked very well for her.

Also, I found that nighttime nursing was essential for him to get enough nursing time, as well as to maintain my milk supply. So, my recommendation would be for you to at least increase nighttime nursing (by at least two feedings) until you resolve the issue. Also, make sure you nurse frequently in the morning before you go to work - i.e., as soon as you wake up (and maybe wake up an hour early to get in an extra feeding), anytime she awakens before you leave the house and just before you leave the house. And, of course, frequent nursing once you get home is necessary.

Do you work close enough that you can come home at lunch time to nurse your daughter. Or perhaps you can make arrangements with your job take a little longer lunch, just for a month or so.

Have you tried giving her a bottle in the evenings while holding her? perhaps trying a sippy cup, or maybe the milk is not the right temperature for her. Or perhaps its not really the bottle, but that you are not there.

She does sound like she has a strong will- not always a bad thing... and if she is maintaining and gaining weight and is a happy baby, you probably shouldn't be too concerned.

Hope you get it figured out soon... this will probably be the first of a few battles.
D.

My son never took a bottle. He slept at daycare and woke up and nursed. And nursed. And nursed. He nursed in the evening, and several times during the night. I never worried about oversleeping, because he woke me up about 5 a.m. nursing till 6:30. Thank God we coslept or I would have never slept. At about 3 months old, he started taking a sippy cup - Gerber makes them with a gummy plastic spout.

Your mom could also try dropper feedings. They're a PITA, but it's the only way my son would drink pre sippy cup other than a boob. There's also a breast shaped bottle - not sure how useful those are. Onestepahead carries them.

S.

My son refused a bottle. He never once took a bottle at all. My husband had to either bring him to me to feed at work, or use a syringe or a cup. They do make a bottle that is shaped like a breast and soft to the touch. I would also suggest wrapping your night shirt or something that you've worn and not washed so that your scent is on it and maybe you can get him to take a bottle.

I know where you are coming from, and I wish you luck!

My second son (who is now 6 and VERY strong willed) did the same thing. My mom also kept him during the day. I would nurse him twice in the morning at home and again when I dropped him off at my parents. I also nursed him on my lunch break and as soon as I got to my parents in the evening. We co-slept and he would nurse several times during the night. After several months he did start taking the bottle. My prayers go out to you. I know how stressful this can be!