Help with Weaning: Breast to Bottle

My son is almost 3 months old, and I bottel and breastfeed. I pump acouple times a day. I've found they he preferrs the playtex nipples. I really watched him one day sucking ont he playtex nipple, and then while breastfeeding. I believe that the playtex nipple is the closest thing to the breast. When they suck, they can't suck the whole nipple in their mouth. They nipples have that really wide base, and it's like breastfeeding. I know it sounds werid. I've tried all different kinds of nipples, and he'll take just about all of them, but lately he's preferred just the playtex ones. He's also a mama's boy. :)

I was not able to breastfeed for numerous reasons, but it hurt me so much, and please do not let anyone guilt you into thinking you are a bad mom for stopping. I used the playtex bottles with liners, try those. This is the hardest thing you will do (this week lol) but not he worst thing by far. Godd luck, and I am sure she will get the hang of a bottle soon enough.

I weaned my two of my daughters at 3-4 months. The one thing that I learned was that, initially, you need to have someone else give her the bottle. She won't take it from you because she expects breast. For me, I would have my husband do it when he was home, and my mother-in-law was a great help during the day. And initially she may still have some issues, but once she learns to drink from a bottle from them, she'll be more willing to accept it from you.

My son wouldn't take a bottle either. However, he would take a sippy cup. At first, I got the ones with two handles that he could hold easily. Also, I got the kind that have the ounce measurements on the side of the cup, so you can either put breastmilk or formula in them. The great thing is that I never had to wean him from a bottle.

I supplemented my children with bottles while I breastfed. I used the Playtex nursers. It took about two nipple changes before they found one they liked.
I breastfed first thing in the morning and last thing at night, with bottles in between. If this is hard for you, perhaps you could supplement. I've heard warnings that the child may prefer the bottle over the breast, but both worked for me.
If you are struggling with the decision, I just wanted to tell you my experience for you to consider.

Could be you need to try yet another nipple, make sure it is a soft one, and hold her close as if you were nursing, and if she is hungry, she will soon accept the bottle. You may even try singing to her while introducing the bottle to soothe her.

Have you tried consulting a lactation consultant? They can be helpful in solving problems so you can continue your important breastfeeding relationship. They can also help you wean if you have decided that you must. I would encourage you to keep trying, though. It usually gets so much easier right about the age of your child and breast milk is far superior to formula if you can produce it.

All babies will cry and want you to feed them directly. Did your doctor advise you to stop trying? has she been diagnosed as failure to thrive? have you tried nursing her every two hours over a period of time? (to see if she will gain more wait).

And amen to the lactation contultant idea.

Your situation was very similar to what I went through with my son. He refused the bottle over and over even with breastmilk. We tried several different nipples and eventually the playtex drop in nursers seemed to satisfy him most. We tried so many tactics and we were so frustrated but what seemed to work was giving the bottle when he was tired and actually without me holding him (my husband holding him or when he was at work in the carseat or bouncyseat) just keep trying. Sometimes distracting him helped too (rocking the carseat, singing, etc) There was one day I let him miss a feeding when he refused the bottle and about 2 hours later he said, okay fine, I guess this will have to do. It got much better after that turning point.
good luck and hang in there!

Avent bottles worked well for me.Try putting a little breast milk on the outside of the nipple so she will taste it and hopefully go for it.

I, too, combined formula and breastfeeding. We started on one bottle a day (actually, at midnight, because I couldn't cope with the lack of sleep) at 10 weeks; we gradually increased formula, and decreased breastfeeding, until I eventually stopped breastfeeding entirely at 10 1/2 months. At first, my daughter only got bottles from others, and breast from me, so she got used to the idea that dad and nana give a bottle, mom gives a breast. Then, once she was used to it, I could give her a bottle, too. You might want to try seeing if she'll take a bottle from someone else, ideally when you're not around. Once she gets used to it, you can try giving her one yourself. My DD, too, didn't have trouble going back and forth, once we got into a routine.

Incidentally, you might also want to taste the breastmilk you're giving her in a bottle. We went through a period, right after I went back to work at 4 months, when DD would refuse bottles of breastmilk, until I tasted it one day and realized that some had gone sour. I thought I was following the directions for storing the milk, but it turned out that after spending all day in a cooler, it would really only be good for one more day in the fridge. Just worth checking.

I know how difficult this can be (I had problems breastfeeding, too), both physically and emotionally for both of you. I'll keep you in my prayers. You have done a wonderful thing breastfeeding for 3 months, and you should be proud of yourself. You still clearly have in mind what is best for your daughter, and I'm sure you will find your way!

Hi!

When I was transitioning my daugther from breast to bottle for daycare I used and absolutely LOVE Dr. Brown Bottles. You can get them at BAbies R Us and I think even Target now. I love them and used Dr Brown bottles and sippy cups!! They are great. Try that and see if she takes that! Good Luck

Perhaps instead of just weaning her, try breastfeeding first then offer her a bottle of formula. You might even position her as if you are going to breastfeed then put the bottle in her mouth instead. I nursed and bottle fed all my children. I nursed while at home and bottle fed when I worked.

Also if she continues to not gain weight, perhaps asking the doctor to test her for problems- Celiac, Cystic Fibrosis would be the most common problems that would cause her not to gain weight.

Perhaps putting some kyro syrup on the nipple to help her start to suckle. you also may need to just keep trying nipples until you find one she will take. My oldest son would only take the old - brown- playtex nipple.

I had the same problem with my little girl at eight months. My milk supply started drying up because I was pregnant wtih my second and she simply refused the bottle--over and over. It was VERY stressful for me, as I am sure it is for you. I used the Avent bottles and she finally took to those. I tried several others, too. My advice would be just to keep trying. She will eventually take it (and it will be a wonderful moment for you). Everyone kept telling me: "She will take it when she gets hungry enough." As a mother, that wasn't very comforting.

Good luck to you and your little one.

First off, you are not a bad mom for switching to the bottle. I had the difficult decision when I was not producing enough milk for my first born (who is now 8 years old) and for the fact I was still very hypertensive after the birth. We all think my milk soured too given the stress. My son was in NICU for his first week of life. I went through some major post-partum depression because of it...I blamed myself for being a bad mom when everyone else was praising me for such a wonderful little boy. I guess it is just what has been told to us women over the years that breastmilk is best, blah blah. Yes, it is best but sometimes it is not what the child wants.

My first child was allergic to the iron in formulas so we had to use a Soy-based formula for him. The iron formulas gave him a lot of gas that he just could not get out of his system. However, my second child (now age 5) did very well with the regular formulas. Of course, she chose not to breastfeed at all.

Have you taken her into the physician's office with these concerns? There are so many things that could be causing the crying but then again she could just be stubborn :0) I believe there is a contraption out there where you can put a tube near your breast but it actually gives the baby formula but the baby thinks it is breast feeding. It has been a while for me but look into that as well.

Again, bug the daylights out of your peditrician about this issue and don't let them blow you off as a new mommy worried over every little thing. You are your child's only advocate right now and you need to do what is best for your child.

Lifting you up in prayer.

J. S.

J., I wish I had some great words of wisdom to answer your question. It sounds like you wish you could continue breastfeeding, but there have been problems. I'm sure you've tried a breastfeeding specialist to help with those problems and to help diagnose good preventative measures to avoid future problems. If you haven't you could contact La Leche League. They are typically a great resource and have folks all around the metroplex. They may also be able to help with weaning.
If you are emotionally hesitant your baby may feel that and be even more hesitant to wean. You feeling the sadness and frustration over breastfeeding woes will translate to sweet baby. Heart speaks to heart. If LLL cannot help with breast feeding woes, then pray,or meditate (or whatever spiritual aid you practice) about your feelings about weaning to bottle. Give it over and find peace yourself, then try again and it may become a little easier.

Good luck and God Bless
B.