Won't Take Bottle Anymore!

Your baby is just smart...she knows what she likes and that is the breast. Even though she prefers the breast over the bottle you might try these tips, which you may already know, to get her to also take the bottle. 1)Have someone other than yourself give her the bottle and you stay back while they do it so she's not smelling you and wanting Mommy. 2)Give her the bottle more often and pump milk to give her in the bottle (formula tastes different and is not as sweet as breastmilk) or pump to put in reserve so your milk supply doesn't diminish. 3)Try a different bottle. We always did great with Avent bottles and nipples but my sister's baby preferred Dr. Brown bottles. 4)Seek out a breastfeeding support group that you can get more individual support from other mothers who are currently going through the same things as you, it may help your sanity and give you the encouragement you need to stick with it.

They grow up fast so enjoy your baby and breastfeeding while you can and don't stop or wean your little girl until you're ready. Each child is different. I breastfeed my 1st child for 14 months and when my 2nd came along I thought 'No problem'...I'm a seasoned Mom cause I've successfully done it before but my son had an immature suck and gave me red, sore nipples with pain like needles. I ended up going to a lactation consultant and I stuck with it...it got better and he nursed until 12 months. I've also nursed my two littlest girls as well. It is a blessing! Best wishes!

I agree with Laura F's response as far as ideas to try. My son never took a bottle willingly and we eventually gave up. But, I also was home full-time until recently. Could you nurse before & after class? If not, you'll have to keep trying as she is too young for a cup. But, when you start student teaching she will be old enough to try a sippy or straw cup so hopefully that won't be a problem. Some breastfed babies refuse a bottle and no matter what you try, they don't like the "fake" nipple. Maybe lactation consultants could offer some other ideas that aren't already suggested for you. Good luck!

My daughter did this. It took months before she would take it again, though we probably only tried twice each month(I was not gone that often). In the mean time we spoon fed her. We tried the bottle first then used one of those medicine spoons, spoon on one end and tube on the other. Yes, it was inconvenient and took some time, but it was better than my husband and I having no dates at all. Just keep try. She'll get it eventually.

I had this trouble with my daughter. She took bottles good at first so I slacked on giving them to her and she got to where she did not want anything to do the the bottle. I had to get it really warm for my daughter to take it, so you may try warming it up more. Hopefully she will get used to taking them again. You just have to keep trying. I learned to continue giving her a bottle on a regular basis because I did not want her to get used to breastfeeding only. I would try giving her a bottle and day and see if that helps get her used to it again. Goodluck!!

I mean maybe this sounds obvious and maybe you have already done it but try a different bottle? Give her sometime she will get used to it and will figure out that if she is hungry that is all she has!

Try a few drops of maple syrup in the milk - just enough to barely - barely flavor the milk. Start her off by putting a drop or two on your clean finger and gently rub it on her tongue. Good luck.

We went through the same thing with my oldest. He took the bottle fine, then we didn't give him one for a couple of weeks, then forget it! We had my husband give (try to at least) him a bottle at the same time every day. It took a while, but he finally adjusted. From then on, we made sure he received one bottel daily and it didn't matter who gave it to him. Good luck!

My second daughter did the same thing. My first didn't have any problems at all with the bottle even though we breastfed. The second never really liked the bottle but would take it at first and then after a couple of months, she refused it completely. I couldn't go anywhere for an extended period of time without her. It was frustrating. They other person had several good suggestions. Just keep trying and be consistant with it. I think this is one reason that mine daughter refused it. She wasn't exposed to it enough.

Would it help to use a nipple shield and hold a bottle in front of her while nursing? Basically to simulate bottle feeding, but you are nursing (and the shield will feel like the bottle nipple). ??? This might be out in left field. Good luck.

It looks like you've gotten some good ideas already. I have a couple others to add. In addition to experimenting with different bottles, you might want to try different flow rates. Some babies like a faster flow, while others are overwhelmed and prefer a slower flow. You might try a different position for bottle feeding. I know some moms that their baby would take a bottle while sitting facing out on someone's lap, as long as they couldn't see mom. There are also other, although less convenient, ways of feeding a baby expressed breast milk. You can use a spoon, a tiny cup (like a shot glass), an eye dropper, or even a special syringe with a tube for finger feeding. You might also want to try a bottle when your daughter isn't that hungry. If she's really hungry she's more likely to get frustrated if doesn't get what she expects.