My 3 mos old who is breastfed won't take a bottle for dad when I go to work. She just started this last week and its not all the time. She has taken the bottle just fine before. Any ideas...
thanks for the great advice, we tried warming the milk a little bit more and I am trying to nurse her b4 I go. It has seemed to work for the last couple days anyway!
When Isaac was about 3 or 4 months old he quit taking a bottle too, we ended up switching from the FirstYears BreastFlow bottles (which he took fine before then) to Nuk. Now he's decided he either wants milk from the breast or water from his sippy, NO BOTTLES, which is fine, because I'm throwing away the pump next week on his birthday! (Love nursing, hate pumping!)
It could be that she's missing you during feed times. When dad is feeding her, have him hold her with one of your shirts next to her, one that you've worn the day before, so that she can pick up your scent. It may sound crazy but it might work. At least it's worth a shot.
i've been cutting out pieces from the soiled or ripped clothes to someday make a quilt or blanket out of them
It could be that the bottle isn't warm enough to her liking. My children were breastfed, and if the bottle wasn't the temperature they wanted, they wouldn't take it. The bottle would feel warm enough to me, but obviously not to them. As you know, breastmilk is quite warm to the touch. Try heating it more, and see what happens.
nursing/bottle strikes are common with a mom's return to work, or a switch over to bottle.
what you need to remember is that baby will not starve herself, but she will want to hold off on eating until you are back again. this might make your mornings and evenings a bit more complicated, but for the time being, do your best to give her the security and love of your nursing her when you are there. cosleeping is a wonderful option as you will both just go back to sleep, but she will be able to recreate the closeness and eat during that time. i did it with my son and i dont regret one second.
try having the person who feeds her sit in a different location than the place you nurse. that might help. things that remind her of your breast will make it difficult for her to take the bottle.
anyway, just have patience. like i said, i highly doubt she will starve herself. and GREAT JOB MOM FOR BEING AN UNDERSTANDING, BREASTFEEDING, COSLEEPING MOM!!! :D
www.askdrsears.com is a good resource.
