Help on getting my son to take a bottle!?

Question

I have breastfed my son for three months now. I have to return to work and trying to get him to take a bottle has been really hard. does anyone have advice on how to get him to take a bottle? I have tried having others feed him, and almost everything I can think of..advice would be awesome!

I have tried the platex nursers and everything. He just doesn't know how to suck on them. He chews on them and puts them to the side of his mouth.

Answer 1

First of all, try every different kind of bottle *and* nipple. Some babies prefer one type, and other babies prefer a different one. There *is* no nipple that is "closest to mother"!! (In fact, claiming to be "most similar" is against international agreements.) And be sure that it's your milk in the bottle, so that at least the taste is familiar. (For as long as you're still trying to get him to take the bottle, only use a *tiny* amount of milk, so that there isn't so much going to waste!!)

Be sure that someone *else* is offering the bottle *when you are not at home*. Babies are smart little things, and he'll wait for you if he knows you're in the next room. However, don't go too far away in case you *are* needed.

Don't force the bottle into baby's mouth. Place the nipple on his lip and let him take it on his own.

Try the bottle feeding at a time when baby is hungry, but not starving. Either offer it about 30-60 minutes before he would normally want to nurse, or nurse him about halfway, then go out and let someone try the bottle.

Try warming the bottle nipple to body temperature.

Have the caregiver hold baby very differently from a nursing position. Sitting supported on someone's lap (with his back up against the adult) or sitting in a car seat, baby chair, or stroller are two things to try.

Offer the bottle in a totally different place from his favorite nursing spot.

Try giving the bottle while moving--either rocking in a rocking chair or while walking around the room.

Offer the bottle when baby is half-asleep.

If *none* of the above works, then try cup feeding instead. At his age, you could offer him a sippy cup, or you could use a regular cup the way you would for a newborn. (But since he may flail his arms and knock the cup over, hold onto it really well.) To cup feed a young baby, fill a cup about halfway with pumped milk. Place the cup on his lower lip, then tilt it so that the milk touches his upper lip. Let him slurp it up alone.

Under *no* circumstances count on the "don't worry; baby won't starve himself" theory. First of all, it just plain isn't true. Second, a baby will dehydrate *long* before he starves. It is dangerous!!

Answer 2

Ok, there are a couple of things you can try. 1st make sure the baby is hungry but not frantically so and in a good mood. 2cd, keep trying to get someone else to feed the baby and have them cuddle and talk just as you would when nursing. 3rd keep your breasts covered and distracted with music or a toy. 4th thing you can try is pick the right nipple. If the first nipple your baby tries and drops it with disapproval, try another one. And the 5th thing you can try is to have the person giving your baby the bottle do it when your baby is asleep. I hope one of these ways works. I got it out of the bible for parents. I breastfeed my son and have had trouble giving him a bottle when we drove on a 5 hour trip to see his grandparents and he wouldn't take it but I kept trying until he was hungry enough that he went for it. GOOD LUCK. Continue to pump your milk for your baby. Breast is best!!!!!!!!!

Answer 3

Have you tried the playtex nurser type bottles? Their nipples are shaped very similar to a woman's so many baby's who refuse a regular bottle, will take this type. Please be sure to hold your baby super close, as if you were still nursing. Skin to skin contact might also be needed until the baby adjusts to the bottle.

Answer 4

Have you tried the bottle nipples that are supposed to be like the real thing?I know it sounds mean but when he gets hungry enough he will take the bottle. Good luck!

Answer 5

Try an assortment of different nipples for your bottles. The playtex bottles that you insert the bags in are probably the closest you will get to a breast.

Answer 6

What kind of bottle are you trying? Avent has the most like natural nipple out there. And is recommended for breast feeding Moms. When you breast feed try sneaking in the bottle while he is on your breast or when you switch sides.

Answer 7

This may sound mean, but I think if your baby gets hungry enough, he'll figure it out. I had the same trouble with mine, and he slacked real bad on feeding for a couple days, but he eventually figured out what to do. Now he likes to eat so much I think he could suck his formula from a garden hose if he had too!! (ha ha) Good luck to you

Answer 8

i also do the same things when my daughter was just 3 months.I start help her to hold the bottle then take her 2 hands hold it.I repeat do the same things everytime feeding her drink untill she growing to 4 -5months she can hold by herself.Of course he could not know to take it now because he just 3 months ,my dear.
I think he dont like the nipples,you try to change more soft nipples to feed him because my daughter also have a same problem too.

Answer 9

Playtex makes a soft, silicone nipple that works really nice when babies are switching between breast and bottle. It is a clear plastic, and works with all the playtex bottles. Good luck!!

Answer 10

Well because he is use to to being feed by your breast you should find a nipple (for the bottle) that is kind of in the same shape as yours. Maybe that'll work.