Breastfed Baby Won't Take Bottle

My youngest daughter would not touch a bottle. And I hate to say this but she never did. So you might be out of luck on this one. But my Mom would just give her the milk with a spoon when she kept her for me to go to appointments. When my sister in law kept her she used a cup and it worked fine. Good luck...

I had the same issue. Eventually, my son prefered the older brown rubber nipples for the playtex (not the silicone) with the bags (so you can remove all the air). Also, you can not be the one to try to give it to him. In fact, you can not even be in the house. I had to go back to work and leave my son with the nanny and I did not think he was going to take the bottle. He wouldn't every other time we tried. But, somehow he realized I wasn't there and he took the bottle from the nanny - no problem. Good luck. It is heartbreaking and very stressful. My mother in law and nanny were the first ones to be successful with it. Sometimes the Dads are just too nervous.

OMG - this sounds like a repreat of what happened to us! My guy started to refuse the bottle (Avent) at 7 weeks. I was in a panic! The key is being persistent. We would use the 5-S method - Swaddle, Swing, Shush (I can't remember the other 2 because he would take the bottle after about 5 minutes of the first 3!) I would swaddle him tightly, sit on a yoga ball holding him and bouncing lightly, and "shush" him. He eventually would calm down and drink. It was tough, but after about a week of fighting him on and off, he drank and never looked back!

Good luck!

I had the same problem with my now 2 1/2 year old who was breastfed. She took a bottle great from 3 weeks till about 10 weeks, then began to refuse them. I returned to work when she was 12 weeks and she didn't eat well for about 6 weeks in daycare, to say the least it was aggonizing. I tried different bottles and was told by many people she would take a bottle when she was ready. She wound up using playtex disposables with latex nipples (I tried EVERYTHING I knew to do...). My baby made up for the time she wouldn't eat during the day by nursing all evening and several times throughout the night. She wound up fine and is great now. Hang in there!

D.,

I breastfed all my children and my youngest 2 wouldn't take bottles either. You just have to keep trying, keep getting different nipples and one eventually will work. My girls ended up going from breast to sip-pee cups by 6 months because they didn't like the bottles. I know it's frustrating but hang in there, wish I could tell you something else.

Hi Im M. , Maybe you could find nipples shape like your nipples some time that work too .... i hope this help you .... http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId... ,

M. S

My boys are teens now, but I went through something similar. The little guy needs to get used to something like a pacifier that has a different texture than you. Possibly the milk isn't "mommy temp". Do you check the wrist temp of milk from you directly vs the bottle temp? They can be so picky!! The other idea is check with your Ob-Gyn or Pediatrian for a lactation specialist, I'm sure they can help you out with this. Good luck!

We had the same problem at about the same age. My son finally took Dr. Brown's bottles.

Im going to breastfeed when my baby arrives and I learned (in the process of my million questions) that if the baby smells mommy he/she will NOT take the bottle, or at least will fight with the bottle. Some babies will do both but I understand most have to NOT smell Mommy and you'll be successful. It may take Daddy a few times and lots of patience the first few go rounds but im sure it should work. A friend of mine went thru the same thing. Good luck, hope this helps! ~ L.

Hello D., You have a very smart baby. Of course he does not want any plastic in his mouth. I can relate, my daughter did not like the bottle or formula. During the day feedings, she has transitioned to a sippy cup (dr. brown)at four months. I never stressed the bottle issue because I am home with her. What has worked the best for us were dr. brown bottles, pumped milk at perfect temperature and someone else than me feeding her. She simply smelled my boobs and refuesed the bottle. I had to leave the house and go for a walk and if she was very hungry she took the bottle. Don't forget the gas drops before bottle feedings to prevent gas in his stomach. My daughter went through torture with the bottle feedings. Don't worry, things will get better soon. Once you'll start introducing cereal and solids this will work out just fine. Please keep us posted about the progress.

D. it has everyting to do with the nipple on the bottle. My baby was the same way and I found a rubber playtex nipple at Walmart that was much closer to the feel of the breast than the silicon ones and he took it. Hope this helps, Good luck. A.

Leaving the room is a great idea. We also had a daddy only blanket. No mama smells at all. My husband would use that blanket when feeding. Also the Adiri bottle was a miracle worker for us. Here's the link. Try ebay also, you may find one that is less expensive. There are several different "models" so google Adiri bottles. Love, love this bottle!

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

Hey D....my son did the exact same thing. He would refuse to take any bottle...most of the bottles, he could not suck on--it was sort of like he was sucking air in on the sides of his mouth. He did take a pacifier occassionally. I was in Target searching through bottles and bottles and noticed a new one. It the Gerber Nuk bottle. So...I bought one and took it home. Worked miracles! Since he was familiar with the shape of the pacifier, he took right away to the bottle! You may want to try that out. Apparently the company claims that the shape of the nipple is the same shape that your nipple conforms to while nursing. That bottle was a life saver for us...now I'm having the hardest time getting him to give it up! ;)

I have had this issue as well. Please note that it is a learned skill to suck on a bottle. He already knows his food source. I would have your husband give him the bottle at a scheduled feeding with you OUT of the house (go for a walk or over to a neighbors). If your baby can smell you, he will want you rather than the bottle. Stay close to a phone so that you can come home if needed. I would try this at the same time for 5 days. He will catch on to the pattern.

We gave my daughter at bottle at 4 weeks, she happily accepted. Thereafter I stopped giving the bottle because I was having issues with my milk supply. So, we had a gap of about 3 weeks without a bottle after my daughter took it so well. Ultimately, we had to re-teach it to her. It worked with this repetitive method. I hope it will work for you. Best of luck!!

You can add one more to the list of those who have been there. Corinne actually was fine on a bottle at first and then after 3 days of returning to work (at 11 weeks), she was done with it. She also gave up the pacifier at the same time. We struggled (and I mean struggled) for a while just trying to get down whatever we could, which was very little. We eventually switched to the Avent soft tip sippy cups with the valve removed. Even at four months old, she managed better with those better than she did with any of the many bottles and nipples we tried. Hang in there and keep nursing in the evenings... it will get better. Corinne is now almost 18 months and never did take a bottle except for that short time before I went to work.

I have heard that sometimes sippy cups work best for breastfed babies.
Make sure when daddy gives your son the milk no matter what it is from that you are not in the room.
Good luck.

Try Dr.Brown's bottles.
You may have to leave the room/house for your husband to give your little one a bottle.
Have your husband try to hold him in the football position or holding him with his feet against Daddy's tummy head toward knees. In other words, try not to use the same position for bottle feeding as for breastfeeding.
And You/Mommy should not try to give him a bottle!

Hi! I am the mother of a 20 month old boy and a 2 month old girl. I breastfed my son for a year and he never liked the Avent or Dr. Browns bottles. Of course, this could just be personal preference but who knows! With my daughter I found out while I was pregnant that I would have to have surgery shortly after she was born. I was worried about breatfeeding and bottle supplementing so I asked me lactation consultant while I was in the hospital having my daughter. She suggested I use the bottles and pacifiers called "Soothies". They are the only ones she reccommended because she felt they were the closest to the breast. I had my surgery two weeks ago and may daughter took the bottles beautifully and went right back to the breast without a problem. Coincidence, possibly! But, I'll never use another bottle. Also, the lactation consultant told me to never use a nipple larger than a stage 1 for a breastfed baby, even when they get older. She said the problem with the bigger nipples is that they flow quicker and can make baby a lazy nurser. If you have any questions about how I started the bottle, please feel free to ask me! Good luck! (And remember, your baby won't starve. If he is really hungry and someone is offering a bottle he'll take it!)

Consider a spoon or a syringe.

We were in the same situation!!! My daughter didn't take bottle.... SHE WAITED FOR ME!!! I was gone for 5 hours 4 nights a week. We couldn't get her to take bottle for about 2-3 weeks, than she started to give in. My husband just carried her in his arms. :(
Hopefully you guys will be able to figure it out, or your baby won't be as stubborn.
Good Luck!!!

You can try a different feeding position. My daughter is 3 weeks old and loves being breastfed. Long story short I had to stop breastfeeding for a week and I pumped. The Occupational therapist showed us a different way to feed her with a bottle when/if I were to pump. You put your son in the sideline position (as if you were breastfeeding but facing away from you). My daughter responded really well to that. My husband uses a boppy or a pillow and that is how he feeds her with a bottle. Hope that helps.

I had this same issue, Mine wouldn't take Avant nipples. I eventually bought Platex old school rubber nipples and bottles and she was more willing to take those. Now I have another baby and she won't take the bottle ( Avent) She will take the playtex rubber nipple. She dosen't really like it but when she get hungry enough she finally takes it.
It also helps if you are no where in sight while someone else is trying to give them the bottle.
:)
Good luck

D. - I feel you. Last week I could have wrote almost the exact same question. My son is 13.5 weeks today and he has successfully taken a bottle 6 times now. It wasn't easy in the beginning - we've been working on bottle feedings for 2 weeks now at least once a day and he was reacting exactly how you described your sons reaction. Now he is taking the bottle from daddy all smiles. (At first only 2oz. at a time now 5oz. at a time) Here's what worked for us - try a latex nipple (I used the natural flow playtex drop-in system) - after many different bottle's latex worked best for him - I think it feels more realistic - also, leave the house if you can before he gets hungry and have daddy feed him in his crib or somewhere other than the spot you normally nurse him. After a few days of this I was able to give him a bottle right when he woke up from his nap in a good mood and while still in his crib! Don't lose hope - I know it can be frustrating but it's only a matter of time. (Tip: You may want to start pumping after every feeding to increase your milk that way you can store up extra milk from now - it can be hard to find time to pump otherwise when you mainly breastfeed) Good luck!

D., you have had some good tips so far. The most important is to be patient; don;t force the issue! It is better also to try when the baby is not frantically hungry. Let your helper use different positions and don;t force the bottle into his mouth.

There is a great breastfeeding and parenting website called kellymom.com. Plug in the search words you want and it will take you to great links. I made handouts from these links to give to my clients, and there are lots of good tips on offering bottles.

If the baby won't take a bottle, a dropper or cup can be used. The important thing is that they get fed! Some breastfed babies eat less when mom is away and make up for it when she is home again.Good luck!

I feel for you! My 5 month old doesn't like them either. I've used the avent bottles but tried a few finds of nipples- no luck. Friends have suggested Dr. browns bottles. Good luck

Try by placing the bottle (regular ones) close to the mouth,do not force it into it.

Hi D., I am a mother of two and married for 10 yrs. It is not the bottle he is refusing but the shape and feel of the nipple he is suckling. My daughter went through the exact situation and she would only suck the Nuk brand nipples. The best way to find the proper brand is by making sure it mimics the shape of your nautral nipple when he is suckling.

Defenitely make sure you are at a distance when daddy is trying to feed him, as your son will be able to smell your scent and casue a disruption in the process. To transition your son with daddy, have your husband wrap your son in a blanket you have slept with or a robe of yours in a football position. By doing this, I promise it will be a better transition back to work and a great experience for your husband and son.

D., silly question, but has your husband/someone else tried giving him a bottle while you're not in the room? My son wouldn't take a bottle if I was in the room. Not from daddy or anyone else. They know that mama is there, and that's ALL they want! When I wasn't in the room, he'd take the bottle from daddy or grandma or anyone else. Just a thought.
Good luck.

I'm a 38yo mother of three, 4 1/2, 3, 1. I BF them all and didn't have any trouble. Because I had heard a lot of stories about switching over, I was very careful when I did. Here's what I did; I BF as long as I wanted to (about 6 months) then when I switched over, I purchased the Playtex bottle system (with the bags). Warm it up, squeeze the air out~easy. KEY POINT#1: Playtex has a nipple that fits those bottles that simulates a breast. I used the large rounded clear one) It comes in 0-3, 3-6 and so on, based on flowage. Now, if you think your flow to your baby is minimal then go with the "less-flow" nipple. If you think you flow pretty good (and your baby's ok with it, then go with the "more flow" nipple. KEY POINT#2: Everything you read say's "don't you (mom) feed the baby the bottle cuz, he'll get confused". Yeah, I guess for some. I myself did the transition with both of us, sitting together. You kind of have to do it when he's still really hungry so, he'll take it, like maybe his first birp session then do it. After his first birp session, I gave the him the bottle; still with my shirt up right next to my breast (simulating he was still BF'g.) Of course, have a few breast pads handy, cuz it'll get messy. ;) Also helpful to rub breast milk all over the nipple to warm it and get it smelling like you. Conitinue to stroke him, or cuddle him or whatever you do while you BF and he'll transition over. Remember, It's harder for you than it is him ( I know). I cried a few times. It's a tough thing, cuz you know it begins a different stage in your journey as a mom. Then as he becomes Ok with it, you'll eventually begin to exclusively give him the bottle. The best way to hold on as long as you can to those special BF/bonding moments is to continue the same ritual (same pillow, same chair, same quiet spot, cuddling, singing whatever it is you do with him, dad can do it too) and he'll grow to absolutely love that and it'll all come together. Good Luck and keep relishing in him; my first will be 5 in March and I know that our long ther bonding made us so, so close. ;)

I pump milk also and I use the Dr. Brown's bottles and she takes them well. They say to get the fatter ones b/c it's the most like the breast - I ordered the fatter ones on Target.com, but Babies R Us has a large selection of Dr. Brown bottles. Also, I used the Avent bottles and had a horrible time b/c they gave my daughter severe gas and once I started using the Dr. Brown bottles, she was so much happier and less tummy aches - it was amazing the difference they made. The skinny Dr. Brown bottles are also compatible with breast pumps which is helpful, so you can just pump right into them. Washing them takes longer b/c there is more to wash, but seriously I swear by them - and they help prevent gas! Good Luck :)

Mine did the same thing. We ended up using Playtex Nurser with Latex nipple. It was something about the silicone nipples that he didn't like, but the latex is more like natural skin I guess. Best of luck! Jen

My husband and I had the same problem. We tried every bottle and found that Playtex drop-ins worked best. The nipples are offered in variable flows and seem to be the most similar to the breast. Our son liked a fast flow and turned his head away from anything else. It took a couple of weeks and lots of patience to get him used to the bottle. When he realized there wasn't another option, he finally gave in. Good Luck!

Hi,
My first (now fifteen) would not take a bottle and I had to work. In desperation we finally tried a cup and it worked! Little sips but she took them. She was four months at the time and I was able to keep working. My second also would not take a bottle but I didn't have to be gone very long -- just for a few classes. After the first class, my husband would bring her to me for my break and she'd tank up then. Keep trying and good luck!

L. N.

I too have a new born and I have found great resources in this web site! give it a try it takes a min to register but it is worth it! http://www.llli.org/resources.html?m=0 there is a mother to mother fourm there too! you can ask any question and there is people who will guide you too! good luck

I had the same problem. My baby will be 3 mts this weekend. I just went back to work this past Monday. I tried all bottles as well. I sat her in her boppy to feed her and it worked perfect. That way she does not get confused as if I am holding her in the breast feeding position. Try it a couple of times!

My first child also refused to take the bottle. I tried everything...warming bottle nipples, many different types of bottles/nipples, offering it to her when she was in a sleepy/dozy state, refraining from nursing her until she was very hungry....and many other methods I had read about. We eventually gave up with the bottle and she took a sippy cup just before she was 6 months old. I nursed her until she was 13 months.
With my second child, I offered him the bottle within his first week of birth (I nursed him too). There was no nipple confusion.
Keep trying and you may be luckier with your baby. I think it depends on the temperament of the child and how open they are to new things being introduced to them.
L.

This worked for my husband with both of our little ones. He would hold them with their backs to his belly so they were facing out and he would just walk around with them while he gave them the bottle. When they got heavier he would use the Bjorn. Good luck!