I have a 3 month old breast-fed baby girl. The last few days my husband has tried to introduce a bottle of pumped milk. One time she drank 1 oz. and then freaked out. The other times she just started crying and won't take it. I've left the room but it doesn't do any good. We're using the Born Free bottles. Are we too late? Do we just keep trying? Will some babies not take bottles after only having the breast? Thanks for any advice.
A huge thank you to everyone for the advice and personal stories. I'm going to try various nipples to see if that helps her take a pumped bottle and make sure I leave the house when my husband tries it out. (and if it is too late to transition, it won't be a big deal for me to exclusively breast feed) Thanks again!
I'm just peeking here to see some of the ideas. I am in the same boat, and have been for months. My son is now 7 months old, I've gone through every different style bottle/nipple I can find, and still, he refuses. He won't take a sippy cup yet either. I try pretty much every day with a bottle of expressed milk or juice.
I think I'm just bound to bf'ing until he weans himself! (not really complaining too much because I do love the bond!)
I know its frustrating. My daughter refused a bottle even after I went back to work. Luckily I worked in a small office a couple evenings a week, so my hubby would just bring her to me to nurse.
We finally got her to take a bottle. Just keep trying and try different nipples. Hang in there!!
Keep trying, but you might be too late. With my first, I tried giving a bottle after a few months so that my husband and I could go out for a night, but my son said No Way!!!!! It didn't matter if I was completly out of the room/house whatever, he knew that bottle was not it. Like I said keep trying, she may take it after awhile?
I didn't breastfeed, but I know even for bottle fed babies you sometimes have to try different style of bottles and nipples.
My good friend had the same problem she had to switch to bottle as her milk did not have enough calories, she and baby had to cry it out until finally baby was hungry and had no other choice. Keep trying, I don't think it is to late, just keep trying. Also if there is a lactation specialist in your area at one of the hospitals you may want to call and ask them it is usually free for them to give their advice.
I worked after all 4 of my kids. They received both breast milk & formula (if ran out of breast milk) from the bottle. You are NOT too late. Keep trying, & try different nipples to see which she likes best. Make sure the hole isn't either too small (coming out too slow for her) or too big (coming out too fast)--watch her cues. Try nipples that are closest in shape & texture to the breast. Above all, stay calm. My son (4th child) was stubborn & didn't like the bottle. I fed him right before I left & hurried home after work. Sometimes he would take a bottle in between if he got hungry enough; sometimes he just waited for me! BUt he didn't starve. He then nursed a lot that evening & throughout the night, & I didn't discourage that, as I knew he needed the nourishment. My other 3 all took the bottle well after getting used to it (within a couple weeks or so).
On the other hand, if you aren't working outside the home, is it imperative that she learn to take the bottle? She could probably do without for at least a few hours for you to go out on a date or shopping or whatever....
R.,
Try a differnt bottle it may be the nipple that she does not like. It took us 3 types of bottles before we found one my fist would take.
Also get a nipple shield and nurse her with that for a bit then try a bottle. It may make it easier for her and for you.
Good Luck!
S.
I know that the M.'s do everything...!!! But you should really get Dad to handle this one. You need to be away from them as they are exploring bottles and nipples and holds etc.. The baby could be picking up on energy of frustration or fear from ya'll.
We introduced the bottle earlier than you but I really don't think you're too late. I knew that I would be bf'in when ever I was around my son and that papa would be the one to do bottles. This is the only time I gave up control and told him the ball was in his court. So he did a bit of research and started on his own with our son. I listened from the bedroom and there was some crying but they got it worked out together as it is their thing!
Like everyone else, I'd suggest trying different nipples. We had good luck with the playtex natural latch kind. I know it was recommended to me that we start introducing the bottle around 6 weeks and sometimes babies can develop a nipple preference. But I would really keep trying. I also know, that we had the most success when I left the house completely. I don't know why, but it worked. Someone told me it's because he could still smell me in the house- I don't know if it's true or not, but it worked. We only had to do that a couple of times and then it was OK. Good luck and keep trying!
It may be the bottle she doesn't like or the nipple. She also needs to get use to a bottle. Keep trying eventually she will take it. Hang in there and good luck :)
I breastfed as well and was able to go back and forth between the breast and bottle. I used Second Nature nipples. This is the only type of nipple my son would take. They require the baby to suck, like they do on a breast. They are kind of hard to find, but I got them off of the internet and loved them. I also made sure that I was no where around when he started taking bottles. My husband gave them to him and I left the room or took a walk while my son tried the bottle. It took a few tries, but we were able to do it.
I hate to say this, but it's probably too late. My lactation specialist said that babies form a nipple preference at 3 months. My baby did fine on both, and then at 3 months refused a bottle. He never took a single bottle after that time. I was a slave to breast feeding for 14 months! (of course all babies are not the same, so keep trying and maybe you'll get lucky!)
Good Luck
M.
