bottle feeding help

I have a 12 week old little boy who is breastfed and with the exception of one bottle each evening from my husband. Recently we had to move and stopped giving him the bottle for a couple of weeks. Now he is pretty serious about not taking the bottle.

We've been trying to give him the bottle in the morning when he is calm and hungry but not famished. I leave the house and the minute my husband attempts to give it to him the little one is hysterical and almost impossible to calm down.

Any suggestions for the first time parent? Poor timing on this... I am going back to work part time next week.

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asked on Aug 26, 2008

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my main suggestion is to try lots of different things and don't give up. I had the same problem, but the other direction with Drew. One day he decided he wouldn't breastfeed. We had a tough two days of no bottle at all to get over it. Here are some suggestions that I have either heard or tried myself

You should try giving him the bottle instead of Ben. this seems ridiculous at first, since it is much easier for you to breastfeed. But if he realizes that his usual milk supply lady is actually doling out the new dish, he may be more receptive. plus I am betting you will be more patient with him.

Also, try going into a dark room with no other people or noise. This is almost more for you than him, because it is easier to get frustrated with people standing around wondering whether you have the "magic touch"

Are you giving him breastmilk or formula? If you are giving him formula you may want to try pumping and giving him breastmilk warmed up for a day or so as a transition, since he is used to the taste.

Now what happens when you try a bunch of different tricks, and nothing works? OK, here is where things get a bit challenging.
Try to hold out as long as possible on giving the breast, and just pump it off as you need to. When he starts to get hungry, try the bottle. If he starts screaming, divert his attention to something else. bouncy chair, exersaucer, play mat, music, baby einstein. If he is at all tired, try to put him down for a nap by rocking etc. this can be a tough one if you generally get him to sleep with breastfeeding.
Anyways, eventually he will get fussy again since he hasn't eaten yet and then you try the bottle again. If he starts screaming inconsolably, try to calm him down by diverting him again. repeat. Its not pretty, but it did work for me.
He managed to get through about a day or two, drinking for about 1 or 2 minutes at a time, really often.
After that I did not have a problem getting him to feed regularly.
Good luck and give me a call this weekend if you need more help

#1 - posted on Aug 27, 2008 (8:16 pm)

Thank you so much! Wish me luck!

#2 (reply to #1) - posted on Aug 27, 2008 (9:27 pm)

Kristin, I like Debby's suggestions. Also, think about changing the nipple size on the bottle to a larger size. Sometimes the faster it comes out, the better it is for them and they realize it's OK and won't complain? Don't give up, this too shall pass and good luck. Now if we could only get our kid OFF the bottle - LOL!

#3 - posted on Aug 29, 2008 (3:42 pm)

Thanks a bunch for the input! We tried the high flow nipple and my husband can now feed him on the changing pad of all places.

I tried feeding him myself and he took the bottle from me. Go figure... :)

Thanks again!

#4 (reply to #3) - posted on Aug 30, 2008 (12:16 am)