Breastfeeding but Need to Have a Bottle Once in a While

I supplemented with the bottle since I didn't produce enough, then dried up after 2-1/2 months. It was all bottle then. He didn't like them as much but oh well. At 5 months I started him on sippy cups and beginner food-baby food. I've heard of people feeding just liquid for a year but my son wouldn't have it and was not satisfied. As for the type of bottle, look for a nipple that most represents her mother's size and shape. This will go over much smoother. However, consider going to the next step.

My daughter is 8 1/2 months old who is also solely breastfed went through this a couple weeks ago. She refused the bottle from my husband and mother several times when I was away. It lasted a couple weeks but every time I was away my husband just kept trying and finally she took it again. I think they just go through phases. It scared me too because I was afraid to really be gone for any length of time but he compensated with more solids and she was just fine. Good luck to your daughter :)

My son is the same way at 7.5 months. He took a bottle for about 6 weeks between 5 and 6.5 months then just quit for no apparent reason. I work, so we have been trying the bottle for his entire life. This has been a huge struggle with me running back and forth to him at the sitter. I say this so you know that it was not for lack of trying.

Solution: last week we gave him a hard tip sippy cup with the valve removed and helped him so he wouldn't spill everywhere. Now he is easily taking 4-6 ounces of breast milk over the course of an hour or so. He also is eating some solids so that helps take the edge off.

Hi M.,

I think it's time for mom to take a trip to the day spa or out for lunch with her friends, something where she's gone from the house for a few hours. If mom's not present, then the bottle should be fairly easy when kiddo gets hungry. If moms around, she'd rather breastfeed. Then, after she gets used to the bottle--you may need to do this a few times, she'll be more willing to take the bottle when she needs it. Also, at 8 months, you could also try a sippy cup.

E.

Yup, try some sippys. A straw one, a normal one, even just a cup (with assistance)

I agree, at 8 mos, she should be sitting up well. Have her try a sippy cup or a regular cup. Just note that many (not all) young kiddos will have a hard time w/ no-spill sippies - the no spill piece in the spout means they have to suck very very hard to get anything out. Try either Nuby sippy cups or the take-and-toss kind...just make sure she's sitting in a high chair or somewhere else that it's ok if some milk spills.

Also - I've heard of some babies that would completely refuse breastmilk in a bottle, but would drink formula out of it. Maybe an option?

If those don't work and your daughter just wants a break for a couple hours to take care of errands/chores or go out w/ friends (not a full 8 hr work day)...maybe the baby could just have a meal of solids while mom's away? Caregiver could maybe spoon-feed (or syringe) an ounce of milk w/ some baby food...?

My daughter never would take a bottle either, even while away from the house for a few hours. She ended up going from breast to a sippy cup with the no-spill valve taken out which makes it free flowing. I think we thickened it a little with cereal too. It took her a little while to get the hang of it with our help, but that's what worked best for us.

Have you tried a sippy cup? By 8-months we had started introducing the sippy cup (although my girl never seemed to have a preference between breast/bottle). The Nuby brand with soft "nipple" were the easiest to start with (~$2 each at Walmart) Also, what speed nipple do you use? By now, she should be able to handle the fast-flow and should at least be using medium-flow. Good luck!

I knew that I wanted to breastfeed exclusivly, but that I had to be away a few nights for the volleyball leagues that I run. So, what could we do to make this happen? My cousin swore by this bottle that we all called "the boob bottle." Kinda funny, but you'll understand why we call this should you buy one. It's squishy like a boob. :-) Anyway, we got this bottle in order to make the transition from boob to bottle as seemless as possible. My daughter now takes any bottle, but we're thankful that we started with this one. I had to buy it from an individual seller, but they then started to carry it at BabiesRUs, but it looks like they don't anymore. Find it online maybe? It's called the Adiri Natural Nurser. Good luck!

I agree with the sippy idea. That is what I did with my son. After 6 months old, I actually preferred he not take a bottle. I saw it as just one less habit I would have to make him break. He was a breast-fed baby, so when he was at Gramma's house, he got his milk in a sippy cup. Right along side his cheerio's. It worked really well for us.