Introducing a Bottle

My daughter is now 3 months old. But she has been on a formula/ baby cereal mix since she was abou two weeks old. She has acid reflux. Now that shes started drinking 6 ounces the problem has came back, so my mom tried putting in just a little more rice cereal, and to my suprize, she hasnt puked up any milk. Juice is a different story. Just try a half a teaspoon of rice cereal in her 3 ounces of milk. It should work somewhat.

Hi maybe it's not the bottle maybe its her formula?? Maybe she needs a soy based 1 or lacose free?? She may have a milk allergy. Just a thought. Good luck to you.

You don't say if you are pumping milk to give to her or if you are feeding her formula for that one time. If it is formula, it might not be agreeing with her. She might find that the milk in it is too much for her little digestive system and she may have a little milk allergy. Try pumping so she isn't getting different milk and bottles with the slow feed. Good luck

Hello. I'm also a first time mom to a daughter who is now almost 11 months. She too spit up what seemed to be the entire bottle at times when she was first born. Even at 5 and 6 months she was spitting up frequently right after her bottle and later on. I will tell you that it does get better - especially when she begins solids. That is a while away for you, however, so for now, keep doing what you're doing by sitting her up for 30 min after she eats. This is the advice we were given. If she spits up what looks to be the entire bottle again, I recommend calling your doctor. He/She may put you on a different formula (we were switched to Enfamil Gentlease for babies with fussiness or gas). This helped very much and we're still using it. Another thing to watch for is if she is projectile vomitting - definitely notify your doctor for this. In our experience, her milk would sort of pour out of her mouth, but changing the formula stopped that all together! She did still spit up frequently, but not quite as much and not nearly the amount. If switching the formula doesn't work, there are other formula options that your doctor will recommend. On another note: I noticed your sad face about going back to work - I won't lie, it is hard, but it does get easier. I would love to say home and take care of my daughter, but we're aren't able to work that out, so I'm in the same situation. But truly, it does get easier. Enjoy the rest of your time home and relax as much as you can. Remember too that once you return to work, your evenings and weekends together will be that much more special - trust me! Good luck with all - email if you need any more help!

Check the nipple size. Typically breastfeed babies can't handle the larger nipple size/faster flow. If the size is a 2 or 3 go down to a 1. You could also try a different nipple brand, most wide mouth nipples are interchangable and same w/ standerd size. Also make sure you burp after every 2-3 ounces. Good luck.

Our daughter is a "puker" too and we just try to be very careful after she eats. We try not to sit her up unless of course she needs to burp. (this might be a reason she cries) She may be spitting up less than you think. If you take a tsp of water and pour it out on your counter it looks like a lot of water but it is really only a tsp. Make sense?

I had to switch my baby from breast to bottle for two weeks (when she was two weeks old) due to a cocktail of antibiotics I was given in the hospital for an infected c-section incision. She couldn't keep anything down (or in) prior to the bottle switch. I used the Sassy MAM bottles (which you can get from Target.com or www.thesoftlanding.com) which can be a bit difficult to use at first, because they have a vent system in the bottom which is supposed to be more like breast feeding in terms of the sucking action. If you don't get the silicone ring in there just right, it will leak in the bottle warmer. BUT, if you assemble them in advance and take your time, you can dump the formula or milk in and warm it with no major problems. It's a BPA-free bottle as well, and comes in the 4 oz size in a three pack of bottles. My baby had no problems going back and forth due to the shape and size of the nipples. She is still quite a spitter, though (she went through the exact same problem with the bottle--sucked it down in less than 10 minutes, couldn't burp well and then puked all over me,) but I think they keep more down than you realize. It just looks like a ton of liquid as it spreads over your shirt, pants, tablecloth, rug, etc!

The only other advice I can give you is don't let the baby start screaming before you feed her. That's just more air in the tummy to back up the whole system before you even get the bottle in there! Also, try to feed her in a nearly upright position, as that seemed to help us a lot. And, keep her upright after feeding as long as possible, like you're already doing. GOOD LUCK!!!! (and keep a load of burp cloths and wash cloths handy!)

Make sure you are using the slowest flow nipply available. My second child had that problem and we had to be careful how much she took at a time and how fast she could drink it.

SAHM of seven

A.,

Try using a slower flow nipple. When your baby nurses at the breast she has to work the nipple to get the milk out. When she uses a bottle it is alot faster than what she is used to so the flow is faster. Only give her about an ounce and try and burp her. Alot of babies suck alot of air in when crying and when bottle feeding sometimes if the bottle has air in them they will suck in alot of air. The drop-ins are conveinent because you can pump right into the drop-in. When you place the drop-into the bottle try and force all the air out before feeding. Try and get the baby in more of a sitting position for bottle feeding instead of laying head down. Burp her frequently after each ounce and definitely continue to keep her upright after she finishes the bottle for at least 15-20 minutes as you are. Hope this helps. If you are still having problems definitely speak with your pediatrician. Good luck to you.

Of course it could be both the bottle/nipple and the formula. Check out www.safebaby.com for non-toxic bottles, nipples and formula. Remember: never heat a plastic bottle in the microwave - the bottle will leach into the milk. This website is filled with great information on keeping your baby healthy.

Make sure you are using a newborn or slow slow nipple. Feed her the bottle before she gets really hungry, so she isnt so frantic to guzzle it down so fast. Only let her take about 1/2 oz, then make her stop for a minute, burp her. Give her a pacifier so she can suck on that for a minute. Then do another 1/2 oz, etc. Are you using breastmilk in the bottles? You are doing everything right by getting her used to the bottle and having dad feed it to her. Good luck.
S., mom of 3 and licensed family child care provider

I assure you that she is not puking up the entire bottle. Liquid always looks like more when it is spred out. If she puked up everything she would still be hungry and you would feed her more.

Often babies spit-up more with bottle than breast because they swallow more air. Try to find nipples that are slow flowing. Sometimes the bottles that use liners are helpful because you can squeeze the air out. Try to avoid shaking the bottle before feeding it to her.

Lastly you didn't say if you were pumping or doing formula. Most babies spit up more with formula because it's just harder to digest.

If you're interested in using the born free bottles, just but the 9 ounce bottles if you can find those. Your daughter will be drinking more milk soon anyway and the 5 ounce bottles will end up being a waste of money.

More related to the spit up, have you tried a different kind of formula? Also, what about the size of the nipple?

Hi there! I've had this issue, and what you really need is a bottle that has a MUCH smaller hole in the nipple! I hope this helps! Look for nipples in packages that say SLOW flow. THere are also a few ways to shrink even THAT hole a little bit, you may want to search on the internet for that. Breast fed babies are used to working much harder to get their milk out, so they suck reallly hard on the bottle nipple, get wayyy to much at once, and get an upset tummy!
A.

have you tried a slower flow nipple? Most bottle brands seem to have slow, medium, and fast. Also silicone nipples tend to be a little slower (if I remember right). HOpe that helps.

I used the Gerber bottles. It was the only one that my 4 month old would use and didnt throw up. Sometimes you just have to try different ones until you find the perfect fit. I dont have a lot of info from what you wrote, but if its formula, it could be the water you are using too, I always used store bought water until my babies tummy could adapt. If she is throwing up with other feedings too, then it could be something that is not quite mature enough yet in the stomach. I forget what my doctor called it, but in time it will mature and the puking will stop. Good Luck!

A.,

I had a similar problem with my daughter. Please call and make an appiontment with your doctor to have your daughter evaluated for acid reflux. It is very common and easily treatable with zantac. We were also using the drop-in and our doctor had us switch to Dr. Browns. Good luck.

T.

If you are using a fast-flow nipple you should switch to a slow one. With the slow-flow I don't think she would be able to suck it down that fast. That's one possibility...Good luck.

I like the ideas about using a slower flow nipple. Also, I would suggest taking it a little more slowly - try giving her just one ounce from the bottle, then finish by nursing her for a few days, then switch to two ounces and finish by nursing her for a few days and so on. The bottle is so different from nursing - I think she might just have to get used to the different technique. Good luck!

Does she spit up a lot when she breast feeds? If not, it's the formula or the flow of the nipple most likely. If she spits up all the time, it probably is acid reflux or that her esophagus isn't fully developed yet. My daughter spit up every feeding (breast or bottle) for at least 4 months. We had to give her thicker formula made for babies who spit up a lot. The doctor also had us mix a little rice cereal in with breast milk to help her keep it down. That seemed to help some.

there are couple of things that I did when introducing a bottle. because baby gets way more to eat in a smaller amount of time with a bottle, if your baby is used to breast and having to take some time to get her tummy full, you might want to try burping very often. maybe less than an ounce, but no more than an ounce in between burps.
with a bottle she is going to have more air get in her tummy than being breastfed (even with the collapsible liners), so also the burping more often may help with that. a great trick is to put her on her right side and gently pat her back so the bubbles in her tummy can get through the milk and to the top of her stomach before putting her upright to burp the air out. otherwise, if the air bubbles are quickly jiggled out of her tummy it will push the milk back out before it comes out.
I guess what I'm saying is try stretching out the feeding with frequently burping her may help a lot. also if you can find a nipple with a smaller opening so she doesn't get so much in such a short time. I would have to imagine that when she eats so fast and then screams it might be because she is too full to fast and her stomach can't stretch that fast and may very well be painful. much like if you eat way too much at Thanksgiving and your stomach hurts and you feel sick.

I hope I was helpful (I only skimmed the first few posts so maybe someone else has already said this)

I, too initially struggled with introducing a bottle to my baby girl at about 3 months. I found that the key to keeping the milk down is finding the right bottle and keeping them propped for 20 min. after eating (which it sounds like you are already doing). Dr. Brown's bottles are absolutely fabulous! I tried the Playtex ones, medela ones, etc., but the same thing would happen to me as you described. Although the Dr. Brown's bottles are pricey, they are well worth it to us and reduce the gassiness and spit up issues. Also, it does take some time for your child to get used to eating differently, so be patient...soon your child will be taking the bottle successfully, don't worry!

Was she using the same formula before and keeping it down? It could be Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. We discovered that my daughter had that at about the same age. I nursed her and thought that something was wrong with my breast milk and was somewhat relieved that it wasn't the case. I would suggest consulting your pediatrician though to make sure it isn't something else.

I would check the flow (speed) of the bottle nipple, if it's to fast for her that might be why she is spitting up alot.

If she is just spitting up after the bottle, try a different bottle, my daughter would only take the Breast Flow bottles by the first years. I really liked them, the nipple has a "let down" effect that is just like breast feeding. But if she is constantly spitting up you may have to change your diet, My sister can't eat dairy when she breast feeds because her kids tummies got upset, but by 18 months they could both have any dairy products with no problem.

You might call your daughters doctors office and at least talk to a nurse about your concerns, they will be able to give you more direct advice or even let you know if you should come in for a weigh in.

Hi A.,
We had a very similar problem with my daughter. We also used the Playtex drop ins. It helped us to use the slow flow nipples. Sometimes different bottle brands have preemie nipples (our Dr. suggested these) although I could never find them for the drop ins brand. We kept her on the slow flow nipples for 4 months because of her spitting up and they really helped. Good luck!!

you need to let her cry and try burping after each ounce,this may help with the spitting up. some babies are just hard to burp but you need to be patient and give it a try, if she absulutley won't burp after an ounce at a time then try 2 ounces, but i wouldn't give her three ounces then try to burp her cause she could just be getting too much too fast and that be why she is spitting up so much. GOOD LUCK! Froma mom of two and grandma of 6 soon to be 7 in August.

check the nipple. you may have a fast one which would "drown" her and most likely cause her to spit it up cuz theres no recovery time from swallowing.

i hope you know what i mean.

i have a 9 month old in my day care who always sputtered and spit when he had his bottle too, he had a fast nipple.... and when i got a slow one he stopped sputtering and spitting all the time.

so try that.. hope it works..

There are different size of nipples. Check to see if you are using the correct one. The ones for younger babies have only one hole and the older have three holes or a crisscross bigger hole and are longer. I breastfed my last 4 children until they were anywhere between 1 and 2 yrs old and I always used the playtex nurser when I needed to. I also pushed out as much air from the bottle before I started feeding.

I would take her to the doctor. It sounds like she has acid reflux. Our 3 month old has it too. It is very common and has to do with an immature valve or something. But it takes about 6-8 weeks for it to start causing them pain. They prescribe meds for it and don't worry they out grow it in the first year. Our two year old had it as a baby too. But yeah so take her to the doctor because as time goes on it can get more painful.

is it breast milk in the bottle? she could have some indigestion, maybe find a bottle with a smaller hole. if she is throwing up sounds and its formula its a allergy. that is my my oldest son did. threw up the entire bottle before I knew he was allergic to milk. Also if your using formula, powder or ready made is easier on their tummies. Breast milk and she is throwing up you must get her to burp after each ounce or when she is throwing up the whole bottle she will start to loose weight. move to canada you get a full year off with each child. I think 6 weeks is so little to return to work. Can you take her with you? J.

Ny son was a preemie and didn't take to the breast. I pumped his milk and then had to bottle feed him of course. The NICU had me buy Advent. He spit up a lot and they said this would help. He still spit up but not as much. They are a little spending $4.99 a bottle and the nipples are 2 for $4.99 but they are so worth it. The nipples are silicone so they don't wear out like the rubber ones the bottles are in as good of shape as when I bought them 13 months ago. I run all of it through the diswasher with no problems. Of course I have had to buy new nipples but that is only because he is older now and as they get older they need a bottle with less free flow more suck. He has teeth of course but he can't bite through these nipples either.

First, are you trying to stop breastfeeding her, or are you just trying to get her used to breastmilk out of a bottle. I introduced a bottle at 4 weeks, but it was of breastmilk. I would not recommend introducing a bottle with formula at first, it is too much of a shock. Formula also has a lot more bubbles if you are using a non-vented bottle. I would recommend first getting a vented bottle. Stay away from those Playtex VentAire bottles. They are high in BPA, a harmful chemical additive to plastic bottles. I use Dr. Brown's glass bottles. They have a great vent, but are hard to find. Easier to find are the Born Free brand bottles. Both the glass and plastic bottles are BPA free, but are more expensive. The beauty of the Dr. Brown's bottles are they attach to the breast pump, so they are very convenient that way. Again, a slow flow nipple is a good idea, but usually bottles are sold with the slow flow nipples, so I imagine you are using those already. Also, if you are using formula, 3 ounces is probably too much at first. Try feeding her only one ounce at a time, then burping her and switching to the breast. An allergy could be possible, and you may want to try a different more gentle formula. If these measures don't work you may want to see a doctor about acid reflux. It is way over diagnosed, but at 2 months my daughter was diagnosed with it. Usually it doesn't appear until 6 weeks when the stomach acids mature and the tiny stomach is not able to handle it. Again, the bottom line is it is probably too much for her little stomach to handle introduction of a bottle and formula at the same time. At the very least I would express milk into bottles and feed her those, if you are not already doing so. That way you won't lose your milk, and your daughter will not have to deal with changes in her diet as well as feeding method. I hope this helps, good luck!

Is the milk in the bottle breast milk? If not, it could be you want to try a different milk. If it is breast milk, you might try a nipple where she has to work a little harder to get it. You could also try feeding her before she gets so hungry.

Otherwise, considering you aren't sure if she has gained weight in the last three weeks, it'd be good to see the doctor and also report what you've discussed here. If there is a financial problem that hinders your seeing the doctor, weigh yourself on the bathroom scales, then weigh again, holding your baby, making sure you have on the same clothes both times. A little subtracting and you'll have the weight of your baby to compare to the weight when she was three weeks old. If you determine that indeed she is not gaining weight and is still spitting up a lot of the time, by all means, get to the doctor.

S.
Mom of Five