8 Month Old Refuses the Bottle - Help!

My now-18-month old son refused bottles starting at 7 months. We tried several different kinds and eventually gave up. I still went back from work to nurse him at noon, but basically we'd just send him to his sitter with a lot of food and do our best to incorporate my pumped milk into his food. We gave him a sippy cup too, which he really didn't care about too much - because I was worried that he would get dehydrated. Eventually we switched to those Nuby sippy cups and he likes them best (even now, when he infrequently takes one) - plus they don't leak, so you could put breastmilk in it for your daughter if she hasn't refused that kind yet. I know some moms like the straw cups but it took my son a long time (and a milkshake)to finially figure out how to suck from a straw - apparently this is NOT an intuitive task! Honestly, my son started using a regular cup (closely supervised) when sitting at his high chair starting around 7 months, so you may be able to put pumped milk into that too. Although if you're working from home I'm not sure that pumping is any less disruptive than just nursing the baby is.

Otherwise I don't have much advice for you except that if you've lasted 3 months you can probably hold out another 4, at which point she'll be 12 months and you can start her on cow's milk. Plus, as she continues to eat more solids you will be able to decrease the number of times that you nurse her during the day - you're through the worst part now. Be thankful that you work at home!

Has your husband tried with a bottle when you are out of the house? Some babes won't take a bottle if you are around 'cause they know you got the goods! Just keep trying though, she'll catch on eventually.

My four month old had also stopped taking the bottle around 9 weeks old. After posting on mamasource, I got a few suggestions which helped but every couple of days he'll still refuse the bottle. My pediatrician had suggested warming up the nipple as well as the bottle so it's feels more like your body and that seems to work (knock on wood).
Good luck.

My daughter also refused the bottle. I decided to teach her to drink from a straw/sippy cup. She was very into that. I mixed the formula/breast milk into her food and just kept track of how much she was gettting. At 8 months it seems a drag to push it just to take it away pretty soon, but good luck! p.s. she is a very healthy 8 year old now! Hard to believe.

S.:

I see more of this in my practice that I ever have before. With every family that I consult with there is a reason that the baby is refusing the bottle. Once we can sort of the why we can address the problem.

You are welcome to contact me.

P., RLC, IBCLC
Parenting Coach and Board Certified Lactation Consultant
www.lactationsupportgroup.com

You could try sugar water on the nipple. I know it's more for newborns, but it may work. Have you tried the sippy cups with the straws? I know lots of kids really like those. I think I would give up on the bottle. You'll be weaning her soon anyway. Keep trying different sippys. Try the ones without the valves, if you haven't already. I know some kids have a hard time with them. I think it's just a lot of trial and error. If you're really concerned, see her pediatrician. There may be an undiagnosed medical condition.