My 10 month old baby got sick and weaned himself off from direct breastfeeding. When I'm at work, he gets 2 bottles from his nanny. Now that he has weaned off, I try to give him a bottle in the morning and evening. I can only give him half of his bottle before he starts struggling with me. Struggling meaning he takes off his bib, gags when I try to give him more or cries. When he does this, I don't know if it's me or he doesn't want milk anymore so I ask his nanny to try if he still wants milk. When the nanny starts giving him the bottle, he finishes the leftover milk. This is so frustrating! What do I do?
Have you tried breastfeeding him again? I've heard of this before, but usually with breastfeeding moms. It's possible he's feeling better and wants to go back to getting his milk directly from you.
Good luck.
I'd be offering the breast only when you are around... that was what we call a nursing strike and when a child is sick, that's usually the first thing that happens (nursing strike). A child associates being sick with feeding (especially if it was a tummy ache, diarrhea or vomiting sickness) on the breast and this also takes much more effort which can hurt more if it was an ear infection.
He doesn't associate a bottle with you. If a baby is congested, it's hard to nurse at the breast but if he's better now, try putting him back to the breast. Otherwise, try a cup so at least he'll still get the milk. At under a year, his milk is still his primary source of nutrition
Cant he just hold the bottle himself since he's 10 months old?
Maybe it was a temporary nursing strike and he'd rather nurse again than take the bottle. I'd go to kellymom.com and read up on how to get him back to the breast if that would work better for you. My DD would rarely take a bottle from me - but she would from someone else.
I'll answer from the heartbreak of feeling like your child wants someone besides you. As a working mom, feeding your child is a precious way to connect (though there are many other ways too). Having a nanny is a great way to have another loving person help raise your baby during the times you can't. I'm assuming the nanny is there while you are feeding your son? If yes, ask her nicely to go somewhere else where he can't see/hear her (maybe do laundry) so you can bond with your boy.
It almost seems like he wants to nurse from you still. Even if he weaned, your boobs are milk making machines and can pick back up production.
Try holding him a different way. What worked with our daughter when we had to add bottles was holding her facing away from the person giving the bottle. Basically, have him sit on your lap - not facing you, facing the same way you are facing, lean him back against you and give him the bottle.
The other option I'd go with would be to start offering him a cup.
Best wishes!
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