HELP! Baby Now Refuses Bottle

When babies get old enought that they can tell the difference, they are always going to chose the breast over a bottle any day. I say go ahead and breast feed exclusively and don't worry about the bottle.

why are you wanting him to take a bottle once a week? just wondering. my son did the same thing, and we had to try different nipples, and also make sure that the bottle was warmed to exactly 98 degrees. also we had to hold him exactly like he was nursing.

C.,

I can't remember where I have seen them, but there are a few different makes of bottles made to seem the the breast. I think one of them was from one of those catalogs like ONE STEP AHEAD or something like that. You could try to google "infant breast bottle" or something like that....I definately saw one in a children's specialty catalog and another type on-line at some site that sells products for infants.....I'm sure if you search long enough on the internet you'll be able to find one....If you do find them, buy a couple different types to see which one works the best.....I don't know if they actually work and "fool" the baby into thinking he's on the breast, but it's worth a try.

Good Luck,
Pam

Hey C.,

Let me tell u... I am having the same problem. The only difference is my daughter is now 4 1/2 months. She started to refuse it about a month ago.. After a month or more of just straight nursing, it gets tiring, and a bit aggrevating, but it DOES GET EASIER! I had and all day womens conference this past saturday and the baby stayed with my husband and mom. I was not around to hear the baby cry & get mad cuz she wanted the boob. That day she took 2 seperate 3oz bottles while i was gone and now is doing better about taking the bottle. My pediatrician told us not to give her the choice. If she wants to eat, she'll take the bottle when she realizes there is no mommy around to nurse her. But ultimately, you have to be strong and not give in to the little ones demand. You know what is best for him, now just make sure he knows that.

All of the advice you have been given is great but just in case get his ears checked. Hugs F.

I was having the same problem. I was using Avent bottles and even switched to a different nipple. Finally I switched to Dr. Brown's and now he takes it without a fuss (most of the time). I guess that nipple is more "like me"

Hi C.,

I would look into the Adiri Natural Nurser Bottle. It has a shorter nipple and is suppose to simulate a breast. Also, my husband has to hold our daughter in a position other than the cradle hold. She seems to associate that with nursing, but will take the bottle if he lays her back on his chest and angles the bottle up. We had to try lots of things...she wouldn't take a bottle at all! Hope this helps.

My second daughter did the same thing. I was breast feeding but could not get her to take a bottle from anyone. I thought she just did not want one from me, so I even left the house so that she would not smell the milk but it did not help. I finally tried one of the soft tip sippy cups. She went right to it and never looked back. She skipped the bottle totally. I have heard of this many times since I did it. I am not sure if it was something about the nipple or not. She never liked pacifiers either. So try a sippy cup, what do you have to lose.

adri (sp) makes a breast bottle, You can find it at babys r us. They are a bit pricey though. Is there a particular reason why you son needs to take a bottle?? My daughter never took a bottle, we tried, but she wanted nothing to do with the thing. So I just stopped. If you are worried you might have to leave him or something....don't. Just wait a while and then time it around feedings if you must. If you have no luck with the bottle don't sweat it.....before you know it he will be weaned and you will be wishing you could nurse again.
Tashin

It sounds like you already have this under control but I wanted to let you know that I had the same problem with my son at the exact same age. It took us about a week of persistence to get him back on track and he took the Nuk bottles. We would have to walk around with him and try to keep him calm while he took the bottle. We also had to make sure we kept the formula or milk at the EXACT right temperature for him and we still do at 4 1/2 months.

Good Luck!

Two of my four children never took a bottle. The pediatrician said that there are some babies that never take a bottle and some that refuse a bottle. The lactation consultant said that a baby sucks a bottle differently than they nurse. She did not think that my second child could form his mouth correctly to suck a bottle. He later had speech problems because he could not hold his mouth correctly to form some sounds. He did not graduate from speech until he was in middle school.

My husband said that my third child was just a "titty baby." She wanted her mommy and was not satisfied with anything but mommy. She nursed until she was two years old and was very tough to wean. She still is a determined child who has a mind of her own! :o)

Relax and nurse your little one. If you are worried about your milk supply then get plenty of rest, eat healthy, and drink plenty of fluids. Your body will produce the milk supply that your baby needs. You will know the baby is getting enough nutrition from your milk at well child check ups because the baby will be growing. They are babies such a short period of time. You are so lucky to be able to stay at home with them right now. Enjoy them!

Try a new nipple one that is wide and collapes like yours. Don't give up and keep trying he will eventually take it. Good Luck

Don't be surprised if you son still refuses the bottle. I was nursing during the day and giving a bottle at night and my son suddenly started refusing the bottle at around 3 months old, if I remember correctly. I was a little disappointed because I wanted the convenience of being able to give him a bottle if necessary, but it was ok in the end and I just nursed him full-time. Like you, I tried giving him breastmilk in the bottle (thinking he didn't like the formula) and it was still a big no-go.

I don't have any advice on how to 'make' your infant take a bottle. Breast is better anyway, and as you know, he will decrease his feeding intervals soon, so he isn't nursing as often. If you withhold the breast to 'make' him take the bottle, it could affect your milk supply.

My son is still nursing at 1yr 2months - I plan to wean him around 18 months if he hasn't weaned himself by that time.

Why do you want him to take one bottle a day? He's old enough to wean from the bottle and start learning to take a cup.

Is there any special reason why you want him to take a bottle? If you are breastfeeding him I am surprised he took a bottle from you to begin with! At 11 weeks old the closeness of nursing has most to do with it, the whole act of nursing involves so much that I understand why he has decided to refuse the bottle. Even at 11 weeks old a baby can "decide" which he prefers and be adamant about his choice. If you are concerned that your husband isn't being allowed the intimateness of feeding time there are other ways your husband can form a close bond with his baby.
If a once a day bottle is necessary than my suggestion is to find the "old fashioned" Playtex rubber nipple that is used with the disposable bags system. It's not the clear silicone nipple or the "Natural Latch" nipple. Playtex stopped making it for years, but I am pretty sure you can go on their website and find it. It is round and has a flat tip and elongates when the baby suckles. It mimicks the mother's nipple very well and is the ONLY nipple my daughter would take during the day while my best friend was watching her. I breastfed my daughter for 15 months and she just chose to give it up on her own and I think that nipple helped.
Good luck!

C.,
Hi my name is K. and I am a board certified lactation consultant and a mother-baby RN and doula. Your baby is about to have his 3 month growth spurt. When this happens the baby wants to be on the breast all the time and some will refuse a bottle. This may be the issue which is shorterm. Just curious, why are you using formula in the bottle when you have breastmilk. Don't worry, I don't judge, I am a supporter with whatever famlies are comfortable with. I feel by asking these kinds of questions it helps me understand differernt ways and helps me be a better LC. I think it is wonderful you are giving your baby the gift of nursing. Feel free to e mail me: ____@____.com
I would love to help you. K.