How Do I Introduce a Bottle?

Updated on March 03, 2008
A.S. asks from Cypress, TX
11 answers

I am breastfeeding my 2 month old son. I am going back to work in five weeks and need to have him on a bottle by then. My husband, mom and mother-in-law have all tried to feed him a bottle, and he just won't take it. My mom did get him to take one, but it was several weeks ago. He never really latched on, and it took him a long time to finish. I'm worried because I have to be gone all day next Tuesday and my mom is going to babysit. Is he going to scream all day, or will he take it when he gets hungry enough? I'm going to try different bottles. We are using Avent right now, and I'm planning on trying Dr. Brown's and Playtex. I will take any advice I can get.

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C.K.

answers from Austin on

I had the same problem and was terrified that I was going to have to quit my job. I found a bottle made by Evenfolw that is more like a breast, it has two chambers. My daughter did finet the day I went back, when she got hungry enough she ate. I just could not be present for her to take a bottle. I also looked up online techniques in case she did not take the bottle and they recommended having a dropper on hand. Luckily, my mom did not have to use it. Hope that this helps. Good luck!

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A.H.

answers from Odessa on

Hi, sorry to hear about your problem, my only advice is to check the nipple and see if the hole is big enough for him to get the milk out of. If they are too small just use a strait pin and open it up just a little you don't want to overwhelm him w/ too much. I used the Dr. Brown's and loved them, good luck

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M.F.

answers from Houston on

I am a full time working mom with a 15 month old. I went back to work after 12 weeks of being home, and I exclusively breastfed for 12 months and still nursing some now. We only tried the Dr. Brown's bottles and had no problems. One thing I did discover was that my son would not take a bottle at the beginning if I was in the room. Once he figured out it was easier than the breast, he was guzzling them!

Now, my advice for you is relax. I know it must seem terrible to think that your little one won't eat while you're gone. Some kids don't want to take a bottle and will compensate and drink more from the breast in the hours that you're home and drink less while you're gone. Other kids realize that once you're gone, if they want milk, they'll have to take it from the bottle.

Good luck and remember, they're much smarter than we give them credit for.

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J.D.

answers from College Station on

Try different kinds/shapes of nipples. Both of my girls were VERY picky about the nipple on the bottle. What worked best for both of them was the orthodontic nipple. Start with the slow release first, then work way up to fast flow. However, when we added cereal to the formula/breast milk, we had to make a larger hole in the nipple (heat up a safety pin, insert and twist to make a clean opening). Your baby will catch on, but just be patient and try to help him by finding the right nipple HE is comfortable with.

Good luck!!!!! :)

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K.V.

answers from Austin on

I used Avent and it did take a while for my kis to get used to it. If you are in the room it will make it harder. He can smell you and it will be harder. Boys will be boys. My son was much harder to get on the bottle. Just know he will be fussy, that is normal, and he will learn. Just give him some time. Remember to pump more often then you feed him though or your milk supply will start to slowly decrease.

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M.S.

answers from Houston on

My son hated the avent, they would gag him, after trying several kinds, he happily takes the playtex nurser w/ the latex nipples. I think he likes the latex nipples more because they are softer than the silicones ones, but they don't last as long. Good luck!

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D.L.

answers from Longview on

when i was breastfeeding i used the bottle when i was going out running errands and such and only at home breastfeeding so maybe if you start that process it will have you ready in time to return to work.

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M.W.

answers from San Antonio on

are you using the right size nipple and the right drip? some babies don't follow the guidelines and can drink a lot more than the nipple will let them. He might be trying to get more and upset that he can't.

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A.F.

answers from Odessa on

I breast fed both of my kids. Luckily it was easy to get my daughter to take a bottle but my son was not having it. I used the Gerber bottles with the wide bottom on the nipple. They have a nipple that is advertised for breastfeeding moms. He also would not take a bottle if he even knew that I was any ware in the house. It was like he could feel me or smell me. When I was not around at all and he was with my mom or my husband he would take the bottle just fine. So I wouldn’t worry to much, he should grow used to the bottle and take it just fine.

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J.Y.

answers from Houston on

I had a hard time introducing a bottle to my son. The only bottle he would drink from was a Playtex, because the Avent was too fast flowing. Even the newborn one. I had a hard time too, and my son never really drank from a bottle, but I never went back to work. I heard from my friends that they had the same problem, but eventually, when they are hungry enough, their kids drank from the bottle. Good luck. I remember how tough it was...

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K.W.

answers from Corpus Christi on

I read to start feeding them one bottle per day at about 3 weeks, preferably someone else feed, and you leave the room. he may not want the bottle if he sees mama.

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