Getting Baby to Take a Bottle - Lincolnwood,IL

N.:

It is not uncommon for babies to resist taking bottles... there are many reasons for this.

First off, many will not take a bottle from mom when they know mom has the "real" thing...

Cups are a great alternative.

The first question is how essential is it that she take a bottle.. this is not judgemental quesiton, I see many families where it is vital that we find an alternative feeding method... always with our children we have to pick our battles, let go of the less important ones so we have the necessary energy and time for the important one.

You are welcome to contact me off list to discuss this further.

P., RLC, IBCLC
Pres. Lactation Support Group, Inc
www.lactationsupportgroup.com

Hi N.! my son is 5 months old and i breastfed him for the first 4 months once istarted work i really wanted to ween him off i use the platex venti arie natraul nipple.... i gave him a bottle once a day so he got use to it... thats how i started and also at first i had some1 else feedthe bottle bc it seemed when i would try he rather have my boob then the bottle! =) BUT MY SON LOVES TO EAT SO ANYWYA HE GOT FOOD HE approved =)

My daughter refused a bottle starting at 5 weeks, though she'd also taken one at 3 weeks no problem. We found that I had to be completely away (upstairs or out of the house) and she'd take it from my husband when he'd position her on the boppy pillow in a way different from how she nursed. She also had to be totally starving, like 3-4 hrs since her last feeding, and then she'd take about 4 oz. This lasted until she was about 7 months old and then she was eating solids a couple times a day and totally refused the bottle (probably b/c she was full enough to make it through the 7 hrs I wasn't home). She'd never take it from me at all.

My son was the same way. He took a bottle, then wouldn't, and then he would. I wouldn't give him the bottle, only dad or grandma. Also I wouldn't experiment too much with bottles. I think being consistent is more important. Also try differnt feeding positions. My husband tried cradle but my son would fight him (maybe he was expecting to nurse in that position). My husband then tried laying him on the couch and feeding him while he was laying down and he did great. I would just say be patient, be consistent, and pick a time when baby isn't starving. His frustrution tolerance will be very short! By about 1 week we were fine with bottle!! Good Luck.