From Breast to Bottle?

Question

My baby has been Breast fed from birth, how can I get him to take bottles? All he does is spit it out and cry. My wife pumps, and puts it in a bottle for him, but still it does not work. HELP ME PLEASE!!

Answer 1

Prayer - Patience - Perseverance

Answer 2

First, and this is the fun part, look at your wife's nipples...stay with me :) then the two of you go to the store and try and find a bottle nipple that has the same basic shape. Shape makes a big difference to babies. I will tell you that my boys loved the avent bottles. Next try and get the reheated milk to a similar temp as when it comes out of your wife :) Then make sure Mama is out of the room. Try and feed your baby when he is a bit hungry but not screaming hungry. If he is too hungry and stressed out it will only make it harder. Next, relax..try sitting in the same places your baby normally eats. Take your time it might take a week or more. But at the same time each day you take your little guy and go feed him. Talk softly with him, hold him close. Don't worry and try not to stress. I hope some of these ideas work for you. Good luck

Answer 3

Many breast fed babies have nipple confusion and will refuse a bottle. I ended up getting premie nipples which are very soft and pliable. That helped a little. Otherwise you just have to try all different sorts of nipples.

Also you feeding him instead of your wife might help. He will resist bottle feeding if it is Momma doing the feeding since he prefers brest feeding. When he gets hungry enough he will eat.

LaLeche League International is the leading authority on Breast Feeding support and can also offer help in getting your baby to take a nipple from a bottle.

Answer 4

You can try spooning the milk to your baby, using different bottle teats, or a syringe, feed him when he's not too hungry, and in a foul mood to try new things. If he's old enough, ( 5 moths?) you can try breast milk with some cereal? Cuddle him as you feed, put your wife's t-shirt between you and baby, lots of patience and all the best!

Answer 5

Your wife cannot be anywhere near at the time. A baby can smell his mother from 20 feet away, and if he knows the boob is there, that is what he will want. Also, if he is a few months old, he might never take it. You really want to try to introduce it while he is still young enough to accept the change.

Good luck

Answer 6

From personal experience, I put my milk in a sippy cup. Not the kind that the baby has to suck (anti spill) get one that pours out slowly. There is nipple confusion when you use a bottle. Also try offering when he's not to the starving point, because then it's just plain impossible. Be patient, it will come.

Answer 7

my daughter was the same way. I breast feed her for four months I would have done it longer but I had to stop for health reasons. Its hard but keep at it. The baby will not let itself starve so it will end up taking the bottle. And I know it has to be hard on the mother to. Because I cried worse then my daighter did when I stopped. Just keep at it.Dont give up

Answer 8

Just keep trying.... it took me a little while. What I did was trick her. I rubbed my nipple so she thinks she's getting the breast, and then quickly put the bottle in her mouth.

You might also try different nipples. Some are more "breast like"

Answer 9

it coud be the bottle nipple, you might try changing to a different nipple. you may try holding the baby a little different , don't stressed while trying to get the baby to take the bottle because your baby picks up on that and it will make the baby anxious. just be patient and loving and be sure baby is comfortable.

Answer 10

How long has he been breastfeeding? He might just not want anything but mommy. Don't worry Dad. When he is about 18 months old you will be the king. Just remember that breastfeeding is the most healthy thing for your baby. If he has good head control you might want to try giving him expressed milk from a cup. If not you might just have to let mommy do her thing.