Having Trouble Getting My 4 Month Old to Take the Bottle

Updated on May 09, 2008
R.C. asks from Phoenix, AZ
6 answers

I just need some ideas on what to do to help my 4 month take the bottle. I strictly breastfeed him when I'm with him but need him to take a bottle when I go out. He has refused the pacifier since he was a week old. If I stick a pacifier in his mouth, he acts like you are gagging him. It's really funny. He is doing the same thing with a bottle. I have tried 3 different bottles and still the same response. Our babysitter has had such a tough time when we leave. We feel terrible. My other little boy had no problem taking the bottle and would go right back to the breast without any difficulty. It's made it really hard for me to feel comfortable leaving my new little one. Any ideas?

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M.V.

answers from Phoenix on

I feel your pain my daughter would not take any of the bottle's I tried not even for my hubby. She is almost 5 months old and the other day I tried a sippy cup some other mom's had suggested. I used one's that I had from my other daughter they were the ones with the real soft nipple and you have to kind bite down to open and it worked it was a little messy but she drank all of the breast milk. I was excited because I cannot really go anywhere without her or be gone too long.

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S.T.

answers from Phoenix on

Try stage 1 of baby food for the sitter to feed your baby. Sometimes the babies at 4mnths can eat it. That might make thirsty enough to drink a bottle. The sitter would not probably have a hard time. That would make the babies stomach feel more full. When you are out with your baby im not really sure on what you could do. Maybe sit in your car and breastfeed your baby.

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M.S.

answers from Phoenix on

check with pediatrician. may have tongue issues. my kid liked the formed nipples not the large strait ones they gagged him. when you give child bottle, sit on lap and have no shirt on. warmth of body and touch very important

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K.C.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi R.,

My daughter has the same problem with her 4-month-old girl--has refused pacifiers and every nipple we could get our hands on (even some snuck out of a NICU that they do not give people). She ended up having to take the baby to speech therapy. Abby was born tongue-tied and had that clipped early on, but it did not help when it came to trying a pacifier and nipple. The therapy seems to have helped. She can now stick her tongue out a little and will suck on our fingers, so Mommy is going to TRY a bottle again this weekend. We have researched this extensively and found no one answer works for everyone, and for some there is no answer, so mom HAS to be there when it's time for Baby to eat. My daughter needs out-patient surgery, but she cannot have it until the baby can stop nursing, because she won't be able to breast-feed until 12 hours after surgery. Hope someone out there has better answers for you.
K.

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D.B.

answers from Phoenix on

I have had the same situation, my little boy did just great but my new little girl doesn't want to have anything to do with the bottle. We mostly just take her with us on our dates and make sure that it's a place that she could possibly fall asleep at. For example like a drive up south mountain to take a look at the city. By the time we are up there she is out. Otherwise I just nurse her right before we leave and give her some baby food and I know she is good for at least four hours. You might also consider waiting until she sleeps through the night because then you could feed her like normal and do the bed time routine and have her in bed before the sitter comes over. I know you wonder than why am I paying a sitter??? Just make sure and get one that will at least clean your house while your away......

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K.H.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi there! I know how you feel. I just posted about this a few weeks ago. My 3 mo old refuses the bottle and gags on the pacifier as well. I am lucky that I only have to work one day a week, but it is making it really difficult for Grandma. In fact I was supposed to go out Friday night without the kids, but had to cancel because it's too difficult to leave my 3 mo old with anyone, especially during feeding time. : ) Ive tried every bottle, I tried all the suggestions....nothing worked for us. Im calling his pediatrician today to see if I can start him on cereal, at least on the day I work. Id feel better about it if he were closer to 4 mos. But Im willing to try anything at this point. The only bottle I had any luck with was the Nuk. He gummed it (I gave it to him when he wasnt all that hungry) and he drank a little....but only 1 oz and after a few minutes screamed anyway.

Im sorry this probably isnt much help. I know how you feel though! Good luck. Let me know if you find something that works.
K.

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