Help with Getting 3 Month Old to Take a Bottle

I remember having to feed my younger sister when my mom got sick. We had to hold her close and hold the bottle in such a way that she felt like she was at the breast. Then when I needed to go back to work after my oldest daughter was 3 months old I did the same, and a larger silicone nipple worked the best for me and my husband. Avent and Platex were the easiest to get.

We had the same problem with my little girl. She would not take a bottle no matter what we tried (And I could not get to her on my lunch break).
Unfortunately for my sister-in-law who watched her, we still had not gotten her to take a bottle by the time I went back to work. The first day was agony for both of them. She cried and cried. She was finally able to get her to take a bottle later in the day (so, it was like she missed on feeding)... But after that one day, she had no problems. It was terrible, and I felt awful about leaving her, but it worked out okay. She is a healthy, happy 2 1/2 year old now.
Good luck! I know how hard it is...

How frustrating. A few ideas ... make sure the bottle has your own yummy milk; warm the bottle nipple under running water before feeding; feed baby in an upright position; face baby away from caregiver (so baby's back is leaning against caregiver's chest); I usually suggest moms try the Dr. Brown's slow-flow, narrow neck nipple first. Walking and bouncing for about 10 minutes with bottle resting at baby's lips for easy access are often required. A couple books that might have more ideas: Nursing Mother, Working Mother by Pryor, and The Baby Book by Sears. Hang in there.

I am a mother of four children. I only had one child who would take a bottle and breast feed. I am fortunate enough to have a husband who works hard so that I can stay home and care for my children. My youngest is now 6 months old and still won't take a bottle.

Have you concidered taking a few more months off work? I know it is not always possible and sometimes alittle scary to not go back to work, but we are so blessed to be a mother. I know as a busy mom I need to slow down and enjoy the day to day moments with my baby! they grow up so fast.

Good luck and congratulations. You little girl is blessed to have such a caring mother and father.

Do you put breast milk in the bottle or formula? When my son was 5 months we had to go to bottles and it was a nightmare. After screaming for hours he finally took a little bit but only if it was breast milk and it was better if someone else did it other than me. After about a month we slowly went to formula and even then he would only take goodstart. Good Luck

We went through the same thing with our 2 year old daughter, and now, are going through the same thing with our 2 1/2 month son. We finally got our daugter to take the Dr. Brown bottles. To get her to take them we gave her one bottle, everyday. My husband had to give it to her becuase if I was around she would refuse. He would put her in her bouncy chair and then feed her. Also, we would run the nipple of the bottle under hot water right before we gave it to her. Essentially, we had to make bottle feeding as differnt as possible from breastfeeding. At first she would go balistic, but eventually, she got used to the bottles.

Good luck. I'm about to start working with my son on this issue, and I'm not looking forward to it.

Have your husband keep offering it to her. She most likely won't take it from you. You may even have to leave the house. She can smell your milk for a long way off. Otherwise, my aunt had to wrap up her son in a blanket or shirt that smelled like her, covering his face, and then offer the bottle. He would eventually take it. You could try that. Otherwise, she will get hungry enough and she will take it. It might sound cruel, but just let her get hungry and she will take the bottle.

We had the same issue with our little girl. We tried every bottle until one day I was searching the internet and found a bottle by First Year called breast flow. She took to it right away and we've been good since then, she is now 10 months, today! A few Targets carry them or Babies'r'us. There are two different stage nipples, we started with stage 1 and moved up to the stage 2 around 6 months. Hope this helps, it saved us!

I am not sure on how to get them to take one, my always liked the bottle better then the boob. But if you are having problems with wondering what your baby is saying. There was a show on Oprah about a lady that lived in Australia and she had figured out the language of babies from birth to I think 6 months maybe less. But if you go on Oprahs website it should still be there. My son is having a baby sometime real soon, maybe this week. I bought it for them I just thought how truly great that is.

I had only 1 out of 5 who would take a bottle (never from me) and still breastfeed. We used the Advent bottle, but I have heard some really good things about a bottle called the "Breast Bottle". They are a bit pricey, but when you are desperate.... You can find them on the Internet, just Google "breast bottle" or some of the lactation stores carry them.
Good luck!

We just went through this with my 6 month old, so I totally feel your pain! We did a couple of things that worked, so hopefully something will help. First, we used the playtex naturally bottle, it has a really soft nipple like the breat. you can buy them individually to see if it works. We also started giving him some oatmeal cereal with formula so he would get used to the taste. he loved it, and then one day I gave him a bottle with the formula instead of breastmilk and he gulped it down. I think since I was trying to give breastmilk in the bottle he refused because he wanted it from the source. We also tried at almost every feeding every day so he knew it wasn't just going to go away! I am a SAHM, but i still make sure he has one bottle everyday. Be persistent and keep trying--she will get it!

We had one who only took formula from a bottle. I hated doing it, but it was the only thing that worked. GL Congratulations on the little one!

We used a syringe and an eyedropper, very time consumming and by 8 months she would take a bottle.

The pediatrician told me "she will get hungry enough and tak eit" that is not true!! Well, not true with my little one anyway. And I didnt want her to associate screaming for hours with taking a bottle; thats not good! A little crying is to be expected but not for hours on end. Anyway; she started taking the bottle with my milk in it when my husband would position her like she was nursing. He would sort of turn her in twords him. We always feed her in the same "nursing" chair too; I think that helped. When we got to the rocking chair she knows that is where she will eat. I read a story about a husband who put on his wifes robe so he would smell like her while feeding baby. Good luck!! let us know how it goes

Good luck! We've been there. My little guy took a bottle of breastmilk with vigor from about 2 months to 3 months, and then absolutely refused. Bad timing since I had gallbladder surgery at 3 months and went back to work at 5 months. The only thing we found was a regular cup or a sippy cup that had been made easier to use. The Avent sippy cups have a valve inside that can be removed. The cup isn't as spillproof, but it's easier for the baby to get some milk and learn what's going on. Still, I thought that a regular cup was the best, even if it wasn't great. I really feel for you, though.

Congrats on the new bundle. I am a SAHM to a 4 month old and I half breastfeed and half bottle feed. I had a horrible time for about three weeks with getting my son to take the bottle. What I ended up doing was having my husband and other family members (or friends) give him the bottle. Once he would take it from them without fuss I started to give it to him but I had to wear a sweatshirt and cover up with a blanket so he could not smell me as well and then want to breastfeed. After a week of having to layer up he was able to take the bottle from me with no problems. I started with one bottle a day and now we are at our goal of three bottles and five breastfeedings a day. I also use the First Years Breastflow bottles and he loves it due to it's wide area and shorter nipple. He now takes the bottle in the afternoon gladly because he can get right back to playing. He still has his comfort breastfeedings in the morning and nighttime. He knows those are still available and so he is comfortable.
Hopefully that helps and goodluck ;o)

One thing to remember is that she probably will not take the bottle from you because she can smell your breastmilk when you hold her. Another is try doing it at different times of the day, sometimes they have to be really hungry in order to give in and try the bottle. One bottle you might try that is the closest to breast is called Second Nature, it has multiple holes that baby has to "nurse" like at the breast in order to get milk. Also you may want to consult with a lactation consultant, like Cindy at Alliance Breastfeeding Center for other tips and advice. Remember patience, persistence and determination are key. I know because I had a time with my daughter when I went back to school and work. Best of luck, hope this helpful!

I imagine you have already tried this, but several Dads Iknow have held their babies on their knees, head out and given the bottle that way. When baby sees that it is a way to get milk and not a substitute for nursing he has taken the nourishment. Good luck, I do think that in a month you can try diluted juice and some rice cereal...earlier than sometimes recommended, but a way to keep baby nursing and satisfied if he won't take the bottle of breast milk. Congrats to Dad for knowing that breast milk is best even if tough for him. Relax, baby will not starve..have fun whenever baby allows. V.

I have this problem and my baby is almost 6 months old. It makes it really hard to do anything. My baby just chews on the bottle. He doesn't take a pacifier either. All I can say is keep trying. Your baby will realize that bottles are just another way to eat. When your baby is older and if she will still not take a bottle you could always try a sippy cup.

I hate to just suggest another bottle, but have you tried the First Years "Breast Flow" bottle? It has a double nipple and I've had friends whose babies would take only that bottle and no other one. Its available at Babies R Us. Other than that, you could try using a medicine syringe if she still refuses. Also, if you're going back to work, she may get the point that mom's not around and take the bottle if and when its the only option. Good luck!

try the advent naturally bottles- you probably have.. but i have found they work best. Try nursing her for a minute and then giving her a bottle to finish. so she is still in that nursing position (where she is obviously most comfortable) If that doesnt work maybe put some sugar on the bottles nipple

I know it sounds hard, but she'll eat from a bottle when she's hungry. Don't give in and breast feed each time. She knows, even at 3 months, that you will eventually give her what she wants if she holds out. Next time, let your husband do it and don't be there. Even if you stay home, don't let her know you are home. Also, put a little of the formula or breast milk over the nipple so she can taste or smell it there.
Good luck!!
C.

Try giving her a bottle with formula and a little corn syrup. Just untill she is used to the bottle then you can go back to breast milk. That was the only way we could get our kids to take a bottle at first.

J.

i know it might sound a little weird but have you tried to wrap the bottle in a shirt you have been wearing (like a night shirt or dirty shirt at the end of the day) or bottle feed while holding your daughter and not wearing a shirt? Or carrying the bottle nipples inside of your bra for a little while? My daughter needed my scent on her stuff (bottles and cuddly bear) for her to eat from a bottle or to be left with my mom. Other than that she wouldn't take a bottle or sleep. She would just scream and cry like crazy! I hope this helps?!