Refusing a Bottle

So is she still nursing? If she is, then keep nursing, forget bottles and formula! Breastmilk has more fat than formula, and its absorbed and used better by her body. Nurse her one side only, don't switch breasts, that way she can get the fatty hind milk she needs. Rarely is a baby too underweight by nursing, unless baby is only getting foremilk from mom switching breasts mid feed.

ANYWAY,I agree with the others, get a sippy. My boys went right from nursing to a sippy around 6mos and weaned between 18mos and 2yrs from breastfeeding, no bottles. Worked out great.

I would just forget the bottle and switch her directly to a sippy cup.

The nubby cups just need a child to bite (OR suck) on the nipple and the liquid will come out.

Otherwise just use a spill proof cup BUT REMOVE the spill proof part so the liquid will just run into her mouth when the cup is tipped up.

My son NEVER took a bottle. I exclusively breastfed him for 9 months and weaned him at 18 months. He started on a sippy cup of water at about 6 months.

Our bf/ bottle fed daughter started drinking REALLY WELL out of a cup at about 5 months.

This will just be one less thing you have to worry about transitioning away from her.

WOW, I have heard of babies loosing the ability to suck but that usually comes after solids have been introduced. Have you talked to you pediatrician?? What does he or she say to do. If she is ready maybe just start solids and try giving her a sippy cup for the formula/milk that she needs. she might just be ready for the next step and this is her way of telling you. Can she hold the bottle/sippy cup?
Please Let me know what happens, I am very interested. And good luck!!

Unfortunately, you can't MAKE her take a bottle. I have a similar problem w/my 7-month-old (fortunately, I do not work full time, I can't imagine how hard that makes this for you!) We tried many bottles as well - and have actually had the best luck with the Adiri nurser.

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId...

It's ridiculous - it's shaped like a boob, and the whole thing is even soft. But you know, he'll take it better than anything else. He still doesn't drink as much as he would if he were nursing, but it's better than nothing. We have also tried the sippy cup route, but they still have to suck to drink from the sippy - so far, it's not helped us. But it is worth a try. I know it's hard, but be persistant and eventually she'll figure it out. Worst case, you've only got a couple more months before she really figures out the sippy cup. Heck, start teaching her how to use an open cup now, too.

Good luck!

Since she's fine having liquids poured into her mouth, just forget the bottles and go with a sippy cup. The Sigg Kids water bottles with the "sippy" lid are a good option. There is a tiny hole at the top, and the liquid just streams out--the kids don't have to suck on it. Good luck.

She is probably enjoying nursing a lot more because you work full time...it is a special bond. I would try using a different brand of bottles. My daughter only uses Avent and NUK. She has a pacifier that is made by NUK. She refused to use anything else. My daughter still nurses just fine and switches back and forth between the two with no complaints..well unless she is sleepy then she wants to nurse. If you are nursing it is by far better for her then any other form of food there is. It is like a super food. I would say when you are home do not do bottle at all just nurse. It helps children so much it also keeps their immune system in full fighting form. My daughter has only been sick once and it was just her sinus'. Everyone else's kids have been sick constanly this winter...