4-Month Old Refusing Bottle!

I wonder what the temp. of the milk is. My daughter doesn't like it if it's not heated. She'll be hungry as anything, but won't take it until it gets to at least room temp.

Did you try a slower flow nipple? Or maybe a totally different nipple. My daughter would only use slow flow nipples and we used the AVent bottles. She is almost 1 and she still uses the same nipple. I think the faster nipples were way too fast and they gave her a tummy ache. Good Luck!

I was having the same issue with my son, but he refused the bottle from the beginning, he never wanted it. And, it did take about 3 weeks for him to get into a groove of taking one so it won't be an overnight fix. His problem was that the nipple was delivering too much, ie using the #3 nipple may be more than he can handle. With him being so young, he may not be suckling out the amount of breast milk that you think he is so I would try going back down to a #1 or #2. My son is now 8 months old and i jsut moved him up to a #2 and he was a little resistant against it because he was use to the #1 flow. Goodluck, hopefully it helps.

So skip the bottle. Try a sippy cup or even just a regular small cup. (My dd was 4 weeks early and, because she was so small, we fed her pumped breastmilk from a medicine cup or a bathroom dixie for the first week or so.)

If he's a fairly big boy - you might try having the day care start him on some gentle solids (rice cereal or mashed avacado or banana). If you start him on solids, have them offer him the cup with breastmilk and/or water. For more ideas, check out "Super Baby Food" at the library or bookstore. It became my "bible" for both my kiddos.

Good Luck!

My son also started out fine with the bottle (3 weeks) and by 4-5 months HATED the bottle!! I worked part time and on the days that I worked he would hardly drink anything. He continued to grow and our pediatrician said not to worry--if he was hungry enough he would eat--and he was likely eating more at night to make up for the day time. Some things we tried that helped sometimes....we found he liked the breastmilk very warm--he preferred #1 nipples (we also expiremented with lots of nipple types, which for him didn't really matter--but he did have two favorites.. avent nipples and nuk nipples). Our little guy never liked a #3 nipple--even when he was a year old!! He also ended up being diagnosed with Reflux--he had very few sypmtoms of the reflux with nursing, apparently the hold he liked help to straighten him out and reduced/eliminated the reflux pain--however with a bottle this didn't always happen. We only ended up having to treat it periodically with Mylanta as his case wasn't severe--and it rarely happened when I nursed him, but as he got older this happened every once in a while. Good luck to you--it is the most awful thing to experience--but they will continue to grow and thrive!! I was pregnant again around the time he was 7 months and my supply decreased significantly--not until I completely stopped nursing did he finally take the bottle easily--and he drank very little the first 4-5 days after I stopped. Luckily we had a ton of frozen milk so he had breastmilk until he was 10 months old. He was also on food by that time and I supplemented baby food and rice cereal with powder formula so he was getting all of his vitamins. Good luck!

Another suggestion a lactation consultant gave to me was to feed the baby standing up. I held her in my arms and just stood up with her. It worked for my daughter when she refused a bottle. After she got used to the bottle again, we could feed her sitting down again. Also make sure it's warm enough. She's used to warm breastmilk and gets fussy if her bottle isn't warm enough. Good luck!

Maybe try different nipples. I had many friend go through different ones and found a good one and it made all the difference in the world. Also, make sure the person giving him the bottle holds him in the same position you hold him when nursing. This way there isn't much difference. Good Luck!

Definately try a lower-flow nipple.

Maybe get him into the routine of taking the bottle from someone else for a while, then you try again?

Try to think if anything else in the way you're giving it has changed - environment, position, distractions, etc.

Might he have thrush, a sore throat, teething, etc? You might try some teething tablets (they numb the gums and mouth a little) and see if that helps?

You didn't specify if you're pumping at work or not, but I found it easiest for both of us that I didn't pump at work. When we were apart, he got formula, when we were together (afternoon/overnight feedings) he nursed. Somehow, my body knew what the schedule was and we nursed successfully until 10 months!

I hope that you're able to find what works for you two! (that's what it's really all about).

T.

Actually I had the same problem with my dd. Believe it or not, a sippy cup was wonderful for her. Just make sure that he is in a more upright position so he doesn't choke on it. D.!~

Try a sippy cup. sometimes this works better when trying to wean from the breast. There are also nipples that they say are similar to natures nipple, you might try to find them.
Ann B

I actually had trouble with that too when I returned to work. Is it the breastmilk you pump at work? A friend explained to me that she was never able to give her kids her pumped milk from work and she attributed it to the stress she experienced at work. This is logical to me because with stress comes the production of different hormones which your breastmilk is susceptible to. My daughter wouldn't take my work milk very often and finally I got to where I pumped to keep up production while I was work and I would pump when at home to save some from when I wasn't stressed. I decided it probably wasn't good for her to give her the breastmilk from working. Good luck

he may be gassy. have you talked to your doctor about the formula you are using? also, he is only 4 months old, have you tried a smaller nipple? i used a number 3 with my son and it came out to fast for him. you might want to try a number 2.

Level 3 is a really, really high flow for a 4 month old. Don't they usually go up a nipple every 3 (give or take a few weeks) months? Maybe try going down a size on the nipple and if that doesn't work try a new kind of bottle.

Most breastfed babies go through this at some point. My son still doesn't really take a bottle. He mainly plays with it and uses it to teethe on. But I would let him hold it, so he feels like he has a little control. If that doesn't help, and you're desperate, give milk from a spoon. My son did this quite well. It only takes time, but he will grow out of it. Also, I have tried numerous bottles and the one that works the best is First Years Breastflow bottle. You can find it online.

people may scream--but i don't care LOL. My friends from England were spooning bits of "real food" to their tiny infants, like mashed potatoes carrots--really anything that could be mushed sufficiantly... and they are All BIG Strapping healthy people. Seems like tho 4 months is still very small--you could try sippy cups and cereal mixed with breast milk or formula...I nursed both of mine for nearly a year--but started a little baby food earlier than "normal"--they have also been very healthy. there is no cookie cutter way of doing anything for any baby.

Maybe try a differant type of nipple. I breastfeed for only 2months and when i switched we went through all the bottle brands almost. We settled with the soothie bottle, which made since being that was the only paci he would take. The process was long and costly to a point but he is heathly and happy so thats all that matters. good luck

He might be getting too much at once, making it hard to swallow. Try backing down to a nipple with a smaller hole.

My sister has a 3 month old that is breastfed by her and bottle fed when she is not around. He will not take a bottle from her or even if she is around. If she is gone (like really gone out of the house) then he will take the bottle from dad/grandma/sitter.

And I had the opposite problem with my daughter. I had trouble producing milk and had to suppliment. Since it was easier for her to nurse and she was more satisified with the bottle she refused to nurse. That was even worse.

Good luck!!

Is he still getting breast milk from the bottle or formula? A lot of babies don't like the taste of the formula after they've had the best milk (and no that is not a typo). I also agree with what everybody else has said, the nipple is probably way to fast for him. I never let my kids have a #3 nipple, they never got above a #2. My daughter was exclusively breast fed and would suck so hard on the bottles that she would choke, and that was with the slow flow nipples! You can also try different types of nipples, the ones that usually come on the cheap bottles aren't good for anything and babies usually don't like them much. Try a nipple with a wider base that is closer to breast shaped and see if that doesn't help also. Good Luck and kudo's to you for giving your baby the best start in this world!

maybe the milk is coming out too fast??? Have you talked to his doctor about it. My son had trouble with the bottle at birth and what ended up working was giving him a pacifier to get his sucking reflex down. I know some parents think they are horrible but it worked for us! E.

We ended up trying about three or four different brands of nipples before my daughter would take the one she finally preferred (Avent). Also, it might be that the hole for a #3 is to large. You might try a #1 or a #2 and just see if the flow better for him.
Or it's also possible this is his was of showing his disapproval that you've gone back to work. His little world has changed and he doesn't like it. There's not much he can do about it, but he's letting you know.

Make sure the hole on the nipple is big enough to allow the flo that he needs. You might try adding a little rice cereal to his bottle...he may not be getting enough. DON'T load the bottle down with cerael but maybe a couple of pinches...he may even sleep longer. You might also have to keep searching for the right type of nipple that is more like the breast nipple because he's so use to that shape. Good luck & God Bless!

I think you've gotten good advice...I concur. Either its the nipple size...try something smaller, or it could be adjustment to a new caregiver and you going back to work. My dd didn't like it when I put her in day care at about 3+ months and continually refused the bottle from my ex-husband (husband at the time) or the caregivers. BUT, eventually they do eat and they DO adjust. I'm think though that the nipple may be the more likely culprit.

Good luck!

Have you tried anything except a bottle? It may be a way to transition. I found that my kids wouldn't take a bottle, but we could give them milk with a syringe. Other options are cups, spoons, and really anything you can get him to take. Also, this is nice to prevent nipple confusion (though he is older, some babies just have a hard time going back and forth at any age). Many breastfed babies reverse their feeding schedule when their mom goes back to work, nursing more at night and less times during the day because they prefer it straight from the source (and all the other wonderful things that come with that).

K.

I have heard / read that this sometimes just happens -- the baby will refuse a bottle. I've heard of several things you can try. You (mom) can try sitting him on your lap and facing him away from you (his back to your chest) and giving him the bottle so he doesn't seek the breast. Have various other people try to give it (dad, grandmas, caretaker, etc.). Prop them up against a pillow so the baby is facing you (the baby is not in your arms). Try different bottles, make sure the milk is warm enough. I believe you should always be using number 1 nipples if you are also breastfeeding (heard this in a breastfeeding class) so they don't get to be lazy BF'ders. I always caved and just gave my breast.

Hello,Since you are the breastmilk provider he want's you to feed him via breast,have someone else feed him and you leave the room while baby is getting feed.He smell's you and want's to be comforted by you he may refuse the bottle a few more times till it gets'established but it will be ok feed him via breast whenever you can.That is if your are still continuing to breastfeed.Using the advanced nipple is he gasping because it is coming out to fast?He may be taking in some air with his milk that could be huting his tummy,it also could be a reason why it is taking so long to feed.

My oldest son wouldn't take a bottle or pacifier. He weaned himself at 5 months and went directly to a sippy cup. He is now 25!!
L.

try a different bottle. There are some nipples out there that are made for b/f babies and a #3 may be too fast for him. Also 4 months is a good time to introduce the sippy cup so if he won't take any type of bottle nipples, try a sippy cup,maybe the silicone type one that is at Wal-mart? I am not sure how fast that flows out but I started my kids on a sippy cup at 4 months and they were the old type that weren't dripless. I gave them a few ounces of their milk in their sippy cup to get used to using one when they were in their high chair and fed them their infant cereal. Since they were used to using a sippy cup it wasn't too hard to wean them from the bottle at 12 months. I also b/f and bottle formula fed them from the beginning so they didn't really have a preference. If I was too busy or out somewhere I would give them a bottle and didn't b/f that feeding. They did well with doing both and am so glad I started them out on both as it was easier to wean them from b/f.

This might sound weird! but my son will not take a #1,2, or 3 sized nipple! He will only take the "tri-cut" silicone Platex nurser nipple. Milk doesn't come out of the nipple until it is flattened while being sucked on (kind of like a blow up pool or toy where the air will not leak out unless the valve is compressed). This keeps him in control of how much/how fast, he doesn't get overwhelmed, and it really simulates breastfeeding. Also, I know some say to turn him away from you while he eats so he won't want "you", but looking at you while nursing is a comfort/bonding thing, and since he is already having a hard time, I don't know if I would take that comfort away.

Honestly he could go to a sippy cup. The trainer one witht he handle. My first child went was nursed until she was 5 months old. I then pumped it into a bottle and that wasn't happening. I tried the sippy cup, she had to suck harder but she got it. She ended up using a straw. She got more air than she should have but she ate. Some babies are just like that. I always introduce a sippy cup early. I take all bottles and binky's away around 7 months. This has worked with 4 children so far. I find if you take it away between 7-8 months they are not old enough to be attatched to it and won't miss it. It causes less stress for them since they don't really care yet they don't go through the stressfull attatchment phase and cause childhood damage. I don't know about you but I hate being the bad guy and making my child upset and sad.This elimanates one of those times. Of course this is only advcice and you can delete it or use it, but best of luck with whatever you decide.

My now 18 month old did the same thing to me when I returned to work. We introduced at 6 weeks and then skipped many weeks until my return to work at 10 weeks. I am not sure I have a lot of suggestions, but wanted to say you are not alone and within a week or two she began to accept the bottle. I can't remember all the advice I got at the time. Try different brands of nipples. Put the nipples in your bra after washing so they smell like you. If you use Lanolin on your nipples, put it on the bottle nipple. Provide the substitue care giver with an item of clothing you have worn.Hopefully with love and patience, your son will take the bottle soon. Best wishes!

The flow might be too high. I thought #3s were for thick formula or bottles mixed with a little cereal.

I'd try a #1 or #2 instead. He might be getting mad because it's coming out too fast and therefore not sucking.

If that doesn't work, I'd try a different brand of nipple.

I had the same issue with my son. He was over 6 months old before he would take a bottle reliably. I agree with many of the other posts that the nipple is probably WAY to fast for him. Try going down to a #1 and have someone else give him the bottle. He knows mommy has what he REALLY wants, so he won't want to take a bottle from you. Also, if you are using formula now instead of breastmilk, try changing brands. There may be something about this particular brand he doesn't like. Something else to remember, breastfed babies are used to eating when they are hungry and taking the amount they want, not a certain number of ounces. It may just be that he isn't hungry or is gettting full before the bottle is empty. This could especially be true if you have started him on cereal. That tends to 'stick to the ribs' and keep him fuller longer. Lastly, don't worry too much. If it's not working right then, take a break and try again in 30 minutes or an hour. My pediatrician told me that kids will eventually eat when they are hungry. As long as you offer it to him, sooner of later, he will eat.

Keep trying - dont give up. It takes time to adjust to something new for everyone including a baby. Trying a different bottle, like a playtex nurser requires more sucking so it could be the one for your baby. Be patient and give the baby time to decide.....he wont starve.

I promise- Good luck!

Taste the milk before feeding it to your son. For some reason, my breast milk -- though it was fine when fresh -- went sour no matter what I ate or how I collected it or in what (glass, plastic, bags) I stored/froze it.

Y'know, I'd scream if someone tried to make me drink soured milk, too. Yuk.

The individual at La Leche League with whom I spoke had never heard of the phenomenon and, because I was young and accepting, I didn't ask her to research & get back to me. Thus, by babies #3 & 4, I accepted that mom's milk had to be straight from mom or baby received formula from the cabinet.

Weird, huh?

C.

A., it may have nothing to do with the bottle or what's in it. Bottle fed babies swallow a lot more air than breastfed. It really sounds to me like it's gas and when he refuses it, even tho you can tell he's hungry, he could be telling you that he has some air to get rid of, so try setting the bottle down and burping and gently bouncing him some. If you don't think it's that, it could also be some heartburn/acid reflux, in which drinking the milk is not comfortable. This is very common in babies. These are my guesses because I introduced the bottle to my son at 4 wks and he's 5 months now and I have really dealt with thses issues, but it helps once you can realize what the problem is so you can deal with it. Just remember- he is trying to tell you something, so listen carefully to the cues. I really think that it's just coincidence that it's happening at the same time you're going back to work because if he's comfortable and he's hungry then there's no reason why he should refuse the bottle. If you want to talk more, my email is ____@____.com luck, and at 5 and 6 months they're so cute!
S.