Any suggestions or tips on how to convince my almost three month old to take a bottle? She has been exclusively fed breast milk. We were able to get her to take a bottle of expressed milk a few times during her first month. During her second month, she would take it as long as I was no where nearby. And lately, she won't take it at all, whether I am around or not...no matter how hungry she may be (she would rather scream herself to sleep and wait for my return). We have played with different temperatures, including giving her freshly expressed milk. We have not tried new bottles. Right now she is using playtex drop-ins, (but they are hand me downs from her brother - so they are a bit older). Is it the bottle? Any advice you may have to offer is appreciated!! I am committed to breastfeeding for at least a year...this problem could make it one looonnngg year for this mama.Thanks in advance.
Don't know what to tell you except, wait. My baby would never take one either. I b/f for a year, but it was easier to leave for a bit once she started baby food. By the time she was 7 months old, I could leave her for about 4 hours at a time. I don't work out of the home though, so I don't know if that's an issue for you.
The older they get, the smarter they get, and definately know the difference between mom and bottle!
I just went threw this with my son, he is 6 months now and I am ready to quit breatfeeding. I use the drop ins also, he would take a few drinks and then just scream his head off. I bought some fast flow nipples and now he drinks the whole bottle with no problem. I think that will help, because when the baby nurses, it comes out slow at first then the milk lets down and flows faster. He would try the bottle but then when it didn't get faster he got mad! So I hope that helps you out too! Good luck.
I think it could just be the baby. My oldest only took a bottle about 15 times the entire year that I breast fed her. She knew how to do it and would do it if she were really hungry - she just didn't want to most of the time. It got a lot easier though when she got more mobile because she wouldn't just cry the whole time but would entertain herself doing something else until she was really hungry. Good luck!!!!
I would try a different type of nipple for the bottle. There are a couple of different types that work with the playtex bottles. That might help. My other suggestion might be to try holding her similar to how you hold her while breastfeeding. Does that make sense?? I didn't have this issue with my two children, but I would try doing everything the same as when I breast fed except use the bottle instead and see if that helps any.
Good Luck!!
T.
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We used those bottles too; that was actually the only ones mine would take while breastfeeding. I would feed her in her carseat or bouncer facing you. Do not put her close to your body or who ever is feeding her...she will be rooting for something else. I also propped my daughter on my knee facing me as I fed her, but at first we had to put her in her seat facing us or she refused....I guess that slight change told her she was getting something other than mama.....hang in there.
My oldest would never really take a bottle. At 3 months my dr's nurse recommended using a sippy cup. I used the gerber one with a very soft (rubbery) type of spout, with handles on either side that she could hold. I think it worked for her because it was nothing like breastfeeding, so she didn't feel like it was a 'fake mommy'. Also, with my second daughter, I tired several different types of nipples before one worked (she was younger so the sippy cup wasn't a good idea). I ended up using the nipple that was a gerber/nuke one like her pacifier. It was difficult to find (looks just like the orthodontic gerber pacifiers), but it fit on the cheapest bottles so that was nice.
Anyway, I wouldn't give up - just keep trying different nipples. Also, don't let this frustration force you to decide to stop breastfeeding. The first year will be over before you know it & soon your baby will be eating solids and that will give you longer periods of time you can be away from her (even if you can't find a bottle she'll take). Best Wishes & Enjoy your baby - they grow up so fast!
