Nursing and Pumping

It sounds like the nipple is the problem. Is the baby laboring to drink? The nipple may need a couple of holes poked into it to make the milk flow(us a needle). Otherwise, you need to talk to mom and ask her to switch to a different nipple altogether. Good luck!

my answer must be quick as I have a newborn.....

I've always nursed and pumped. One of my children switched easily from bottle to breast and back and forth without issue. However, the others preferred the breast. Whether that is because it comes out warm every single sip, the bonding, the nipple v. bottle, I don't know. We've always used the playtex bottles with liners and silicone nipples (seem to be what all have preferred).

There is a chance the pumped milk is being stored properly and turning a bit, or that it tastes funny after being stored. Or, she could be a touchy feely baby who loves being touched. My one girl who didn't mind switching back and forth also didn't like to be held and STILL doesn't like to cuddle or anything.

I'd try smelling the milk, making sure your milk temp is body temp, switching bottles, nipples, hitting the mylicon pretty hard, and if that fails, just accept it for what it is. She may just want mommy and mommy's milk delivery device over yours.

Good luck!

My son did not want to take a bottle when he went to daycare. The workers there just took their time, and even though sometimes feedings took 45 min to an hour, they got him to drink from it. I didn't think to try a different bottle back then. Now I have a newborn and am breastfeeding again...staying at home so bottles aren't that big of a deal, but I want her to take one if needed. I got the Playtex Nurser with the drop ins, for the price and they are recommended for BF babies. Someone mentioned the silicone (clear) nipple. I got the latex (brown) ones as they are softer and more like the breast. I would talk to the mom about trying different bottles/nipples and being patient and persistent with the baby during feedings. You don't want her to not grow/gain weight properly.

Some babies, "wait" for their Mommy to get home.

Or have Mommy try a different bottle/nipple.

But yes, baby gets hungry... and thus fussy. They can't hold out all day without intake and feedings has to be on-demand....

Or you can try and feed baby with a medicine dropper.... that is what some babies have to do.

Or she could have nipple confusion. Since drinking from a bottle and nipple is not the same.

I used the "MAM" brand bottles, from Amazon. It is widely used in Europe and is BPA free and has a natural nipple. My son, breastfed, and liked that bottle.

Does baby ever drink from a bottle at all????
Have you told the Mom, that her baby is NOT taking the bottle, at all????
Mom, needs to know....

I babysat a baby once... that had a hard time drinking from bottles, her Mom's pumped milk. Even at home... and the baby got dehydrated.
You NEED to watch out for dehydration in a baby... very important....
Is baby having enough wet diapers for example????? If not, that is not good....

all the best,
Susan

the suggestions on here are pretty much spot on. I would also suggest maybe going to a stage 2 nipple. My son's bottle habits changed from day to night once I went up to stage 2. Sometimes Mommy's milk flows well and they have to suck a lot harder on a stage 1. Stage two flows faster so they can have an easier time getting the milk.

I nursed and pumped for both my sons. My youngest didn't like taking a bottle either. My husband discovered by accident that my youngest would take the bottle of mommy milk from him if he wasn't actually holding the baby. So he would put him in his bouncy seat or swing and feed him there. Sometimes distracting the baby while you feed them helps. You can turn on some music or massage/play with their feet or give them something to hold and look at. Maybe even try feeding her in different rooms. My son also drank from a bottle really well in the car seat. You can also try putting something that smells like Mom between you and the baby, like a burp cloth that has some mommy milk on it or the PJ top the mom wore the night before.

Be sure the milk is at body temperature and also try different bottles and nipples. Stay relaxed when you try these different things because babies are so sensitive to stress and I'm sure you must be stressed or worried and maybe even anxious having to care for baby who just won't eat enough and then is fussy due to hunger. Feeding issues are so difficult to deal with so I really hope you find something that works. Good luck and don't give up. Something will work eventually.

How long have you had this baby with you? I watch a 5 month old during the days, I have had her Monday-Friday since she was 10 weeks old, her mom does the same thing. It took a little while for the baby to get used to drinking from the bottle. Mom uses the playtex drop ins as someone else suggested that those work well for our situation. It could be the bottle you guys are using, it could also take a little time for baby to get used to the idea of taking a bottle. She won't starve, just keep offering the bottle many many many times through the day.

My daughter also took B. milk through the playtex dropin and didn't mind one bit, but all kids are different.

Good LUCK!

A lot of breastfed babies don't like bottles, but only like to eat "straight from the source." ;-) And who's to blame them? It is the best! They get their mommy's presence, touch, skin-to-skin contact, etc., plus the milk is exactly the right temperature and is as fresh as you can get.

What you might be able to do is feed her with a spoon or a cup (either a sippy cup, or a regular cup that you hold very carefully so she doesn't spill it all over herself or the floor, and also can't get too much in her mouth at once).

My baby just didn't eat alot when he wasn't with me, I know this is not a good answer for you since you are the one taking care of her when mom isn't around. Maybe try feeding her with a syringe instead of a bottle....put your finger in her mouth (pinky) and the syringe beside it....and let her eat that way...she may take more. I know it's more work but it may comfort her a little more.

I hope this helps!