Bottle Feeding - Clawson, MI

My daughter gave me the same struggle. What worked best for us, was using the soothie bottles because that was the pacifier she used. After she got used to the bottles, we were able to switch back to the avent bottles (because we already had a bunch of those). Good luck, it's not fun, but it'll happen.

Hi S.,

First, I HAVE to say something in response to the one responder who said at this point baby should be getting most nutrients from something other than milk. NO NO NO NO NO!!!!! Baby should be getting the majority of her calories and nutrition from MILK, either breast or formula until age 12 months!!

That being said... I would try a few different nipples. You could also look into the 'Natural Nurser' Adiri. It is more like a breast. Have you tried putting some breastmilk ON the nipple itself?

Also, what about trying to have someone else feed her the bottle. I know being a SAHM, you're probably 'it' during the day...but what about trying to introduce the bottle at night when hubby is home?

Keep at it...baby will get it eventually. You may also try giving baby some extra 'mommy' time. She may see offering the bottle as not getting enough mommy time. Nursing is very comforting to baby... the skin to skin etc.... Oo! Have you tried offer the bottle and giving baby as much skin to skin contact as possible????

Hope I offered something of some good advice. I know you are trying to do what is best for your daughter...we all are.

Are you giving her regular food? My kids were sitting in highchairs at 6 months old eating regular foods too. The breast should just be a bed time thing now, and maybe a morning thing if you have time when you first get up...since you are going back to work. Baby food should be part of the regular diet by now, not to mention other foods that she can chew. I only breast fed till about 6 months because of the bitting...it hurt too much...but I always fed other foods too.

Not to mention, IF your daughter is a Taurus, you are always going to have fun with her...I speak from 11 years of experience with one! My Zoe was born May 10th, 1997. They don't call them the bull for nothing.

My daughter was off & on with bottles and sippy cups too. She had taken bottles at daycare between 6-8 months, then she refused them. We kept trying. It took about a week or more, I think, and she settled on breastmilk in a sippy cup. (A different bottle and/or cup may help, as others suggested. Also, if she is in a setting with other kids or babies, it may help to try what ever the others are using. It think that's what mine wanted.)

Importantly, we didn't stop breastfeeding, and it became a very important "reunion" for her when she saw mommy at the end of each day. After about 12-14 months, I stopped pumping at work, but she still breastfed when she saw me for a few more months.

GOOD LUCK! It's difficult & frustrating to be away from baby when you don't want to at this stage. Also, if your work doesn't offer a comfortable place for pumping - ask! Sometimes folks just haven't thought of it.

She will take it. Maybe not from you but she will take it and she won't starve. I am a FT working mom and I nursed both of them until they were 18 months. They never took formula. I also say no one was more stubborn than my daughter :) You can still nurse her cuz she loves that and that is your connection. You can pump while at work to keep up your supply and then in the evenings and in the mornings you can nurse her. Just keep trying and don't give up.........YOU CAN DO IT.....she will come around. Just suggestions try holding her differently w/ the bottle or try different rooms or areas at your house, like in the kitchen...you wouldn't normally nurse in there the lighting is difference her expectations might be different. Sounds crazy but we are moms!!!!!

I was having a problem like that as well. I was giving her the medela bottles that came with the pump. She would fight and fight us but then eventually take 2 oz. We switched her to the playtex nursers, the one's with the drop-ins. She doesn't seem to notice a difference with it. She has the same latch as the breast. She will now eat 4+ ounces and latches to it really quickly. No more crying or fighting us. Good luck!

K.

Hi,
The same thing happened with our son at this age. He was taking the bottle fine, a few times a week, then at about the same age, just started refusing. I let it go for awhile thinking he'd change his mind, but he never did. Unfortunately we had to just take the bottle away. We tried every nipple, sippy cup, regular cup, but the stinker held out and had no milk for 24 hours! I was a mess! Finally we tried an orthopedic nipple and it worked (not sure if it was the nipple or just that he finally caved). The orthopedic nipple is shaped more like your nipple is when you breastfeed and even though he'd taken a regular nipple in the past, he just preferred it (and still does). Hope this helps...I know how stressful this is. Send me a message if you want to talk or just need support! Best of luck to you...H.

I had the same problem with my son when he was six months. I was returning to work and he refused the bottle. My husband and I kept introducing it and within a week he accepted it and was fine. He did not like formula so I continued to pump. It was not so bad since he started eating solids. Eventually he started to take formula mixed with breastmilk and then formula during the day. Good luck and do not give up!

Try Breastflow bottles by first years. It is a unique design shaped like your nipple and the baby has to 'tug' a little instead of just sucking (similar to breastfeeding). The nipple is also softer, more like the shape of your breast. Worked like a charm for me.
Another suggestion, if your little girl takes a paci... try to get a nipple that is similar to your pacifier. My first born liked NUK brand... so, we bought NUK bottles and nipples. Worked well.

contact your local La Leche League group....you can find it by going to www.llli.org and searching for a group by going to the top left corner of the page.

Good luck, you are doing great as a new mom!!!
J.

My son will only take a playtex nurser bottle with a latex slow nipple. Try it! He latched on the same he used to my breast. Good Luck!

When my first child was four months old, I had to undergo cancer treatment and consequently had to cease breastfeeding. Up until then, he had not been introduced to a bottle. By necessity, he had to take it. Of course, he resisted. Unless an infant is introduced to the bottle (whether it contains breastmilk or formula) before 3-4 months of age (or younger), he or she will resist taking it. My mother-in-law took on the undesirable job of babysitting him one entire day while I was in the hospital and patiently waited through his crying and screaming fits until finally, at the end of the day (literally), he took the bottle. She used to joke about how she feared the police being called because the baby's crying was so loud and intense, anyone hearing might think she was hurting him! The process of getting an exclusively breastfed infant to take a bottle is nerve-wracking and may seem cruel at the time, but eventually the baby will get tired and hungry enough to take it. In modern times, it's an important necessity too. However, I would encourage you to pump your breastmilk and continue to use that. Eventually, your baby will take both bottle and breast.

Good luck!

She could be teething and not drink anything for a few days because of the pain from the teeth shifting. My Dr. tells me she will eat when she is hungry. She will use that bottle when she cant hold out any longer. I know that sounds harsh but it is the truth. I have 3 children and even though it is hard to think your baby is starving they arent and wont starve themselves. Eating for baby's is about demand. Not like us adults who thinks I have to eat 3 times a day everyday. When your child is about 2-3 sometimes she will only eat once a day. Good Luck I know it is soooo consuming having a 1st child. You will be ok. Trust your instincts, GOD gave your daughter to you for a reason. HE knew you would know how to care for her. Blessings. R.

Have you tried having someone other than you give her the bottle? I never gave my son a bottle.. only a babysitter or my husband. I think DS knew that I was for the breastfeeding only..

Have you tried pumping and giving her the breastmilk? Perhaps it's what's in the cup she doesn't like?

Formula or breastmilk should be the MAIN staple for food right now until 1 year. Solids are just for fun and trying right now so I would definetely think it would be crucial to get her to drink from something.

Is there any way that you can stop in at your lunch hour or take a small break to go and nurse her at daycare?

you could maybe try breast flow bottles, my kids did good with them but with her being that old it might not work, my kids were both 6 weeks old when i had to go back to work.
but both did really go with them i was able to breast and bottle feed both with out ant trouble. the only place i was able to find the bottles was at babiesrus. good luck

Sounds stressful! Have you considered that you can work and go back to work? You can pump and leave milk which can be given in a cup or on a spoon if she won't take a bottle. Perhaps, with solids and a little breastmilk given however she'll take it,, she can just wait and nurse when you're there - depends on her and your hours. Could you nurse on your lunch break, or at least pump and save it for the next day? A lot of moms do this. Both of you would benefit if you could continue to nurse. I didn't know that was possible when I returned to work with my first two, and I regretted it so much when I found out later. Give it some thought.

There's info on the La Leche League website about this. Go to www.llli.org and click on Resources then the Answers section. Good luck!