Hello! My son is just now turning 3 months old. He used to take a bottle just fine but when he turned 1 month i decided to strictly breast feed because I loved it and i loved the connection and the fact that it was healty for my son. Well just about 2 weeks ago my husband brought up the idea that i needed to get a job and that i should wean our son. I am not ready to wean and i definitely dont think my son is ready either because he wont take a bottle from anyone whether i am there or not or whether its breastmilk or formula. How do i get my son to take a bottle or at least how do i get my husband to get off of my back because our situation has kinda put a damper on our relationship because im not comfortable working knowing my son will be starving because he wont take a bottle. I wish he would have told me this before he told me it was perfectly fine to stricly breastfee. HELP!!!!!
2006-09-16 12:25:12 · 22 answers · asked by Cmaria L 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
My husband thinks i want to stay home because i am lazy and dont want to work but i do want to work. I have worked all my life up until 8 months of pregnancy and my doc told me i needed to stay off of my feet and i miss working so im not being lazy. I can tell the baby recognizes the stress because he is not becoming resistant to every kind of feeding.
2006-09-16 13:22:25 · update #1
Let your husband know this is a personal choice and you would like his support. Don't let him or anyone else pressure you to stop. This could cause you to become depressed or feel guilty or bad for your son. You could continue to breastfeed and find a p/t job, or work from home. That way your son can have you breastfeed and you can work.
I breastfed all 3 of my children, through the comments and the rude people telling me how I should feed my children.
Baby one went 13m
Baby two went 10m (her choice to stop)
Baby 3 went 18m
I worked part time about 4/5 hours and they went just fine in that time. Only baby #2 would take a bottle while I was gone.
2006-09-16 12:31:25 · answer #1 · answered by erinjl123456 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hon is there any way you can stay at home? Maybe babysit or something to that effect? It will be so hard on the both of you to wean prematurely. I know what you are talking about with the bond! Its so good for the both of you. I breastfeed my 6 month old strictly. See if you can babysit to bring in enough money, so that you can still breastfeed! Is it because you financially have to work now? Or is he just used to a certain income? Also, my ex-sister in law cleans offices and stuff at night, and brings her baby with her and breastfeeds like that. (Office's are closed so no one is around) Why don't you look into those types of things! I do home health care (CENA) You only need a 3 week class for the certification and I work about an hour to two hours at a time and am able to still nurse. I do it before I leave and when I get home. That is also an option. It pays very well also! I wish you all the luck in the world, I really hope you can do this with out having to sabotage your breastfeeding! Please let me know what you end up doing! I will be thinking of you!
2006-09-16 12:33:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, if you go back to work, there's no need to wean. I went back to work when my babe was around that age, and I've been pumping at work for about 8 months now. Also, my babe has never taken a bottle, so that's been a real challenge for us.
A few tips:
-there are ways to feed that aren't a bottle. Cup feeding, finger feeding, etc- check out some of the info in the links.
-You might consider sleeping with your baby (although your husband might balk at that too- tell him, he gets one or the other!). This is what we ultimately did with our anti-bottle baby. She nursed all night (but I didn't mind, because I could mostly sleep through it), and got her nourishment that way. Then, even if we could only get an ounce or two into her in the day (or not even that) she'd be fine. And she was- she's been steady in the 50th percentile and healthy as a horse all this time.
-get a double electric pump if you can possibly afford one- it'll make your life *much* easier.
If you'd rather not go back to work, I can't give you much advice beyond "tell your husband NO", unfortunately. Good luck, and I hope that helped!
2006-09-16 14:39:01 · answer #3 · answered by kalirush 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why does your husband think you need to get a job all of a sudden? Is it strictly for the $$$? If so, does he have any idea how expensive day care is for an infant?!?! You might want to do some research on daycares in your area and find out what it would cost if you went back to work (and trust me, part time daycare is no less expensive than full time). Lots of daycares have waiting lists that you have to get on and it can take several months before a spot opens up. If your husband is only looking at the financial aspect, than it sounds like he hasn't really thought this through and you might need to open his eyes to a few things. If, and only if, YOU want to go back to work at some point, I would decide on a time frame YOU are comfortable with and let your husband know what that is. Check out daycares, really do your homework, find out which one(s) you like best, and get put on the waiting list (the really good ones almost always have a waiting list). Maybe if your husband sees that you are not being selfish by staying home with the baby, but rather practical, he'll get off your back and let you do things at your own pace.
2006-09-16 13:12:55 · answer #4 · answered by sks42683 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My son never took a bottle a day in his life. You poor thing, I know how it feels to be breast feeding and needing to go to work. If you guys could hold off for maybe another month or two, your baby will be ready to eat solid foods and then you won't need to bottle feed him. I think in the long run that is better because then you won't have to wean him from the bottle too. Also, there are ways that you can work at home. Check around on line. You can also do home day care. I t may be worth it to your husband and you to sinch up your belts a little and stay home with him. Anyway congratulations on your little one. I hope you find a good solution that your whole family is comfortable with.
2006-09-16 12:51:32 · answer #5 · answered by sophia 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my neighbors baby won't take a bottle only breastfeed but she doesn't produce enough milk. The pediatrician showed her and her husband a way to try to wean him off the breast and onto the bottle. She said take a regular clean syringe and put breast milk into it, hold your finger onto the bottom of it so that when you gently squeeze the milk into the baby's mouth a little at a time the baby still uses the sucking action but its on the finger. That is the closes thing that resembles a nipple after doing that try to substitute with a bottle. Doing it this way you have to burp a little more often because they can get more air also. I know it may take a while but it was a thought, and it worked great for her, not only that but the father could also feed his child. Hope This Helps and Good Luck.
2006-09-16 12:39:05 · answer #6 · answered by Renee32325 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, remember that this all FEELs overwhelming but, it's not.
I have an 11 mo so, I know exactly how you feel right now...
Your need to move from breastfeeding to bottle is based on an idea of getting a job. You and your husband have to come to a place of agreement on that first and foremost and NO ONE on Yahoo can help you with that. No one on here know's your family's situation so I don't believe its right for us to give any comments that would affect that situation... My only advise is to have the conversation at the right time, right tone, with the right objective in mind and it will work out just fine.
However, if you do need to go back to work keep these things in mind:
1) Don't underestimate your son. If he's hungry, he will eat, from a bottle or your breast. Just like he took to the bottle easily at first, he will take to the bottle again. He will not starve. You can always pump to keep giving him breastmilk. Check on Ebay for reasonably priced pumps (that's where I got mine!) I switched from nursing to breastmilked-bottles at 4 mos and I could tell my son knew it was different but, he took to it just the same.
2) The connection you have with your son comes from the tender one on one moments your share when you're feeding him. You can still have those moments, but those moments have to be full of love and peace, not stress or resentment towards your husband, anger at your situation, etc... The baby picks up on the emotions you give as well as the actions at this point in his young life. Keep him surrounded with peace. God knows he'll face stress in the world soon enough... teach him now that home is where his refuge from the crazy world is.
Having a new baby (if it's your 1st, 2nd or 3rd...) is always a tough transition and as mothers and women, our natural tendancy is to make sure that EVERYTHING is right. Do what you can, handle what you can, (try to) stay unemotional...
You're almost over the toughest part... I guarantee, it'll get easier real real soon... Good luck!
2006-09-16 12:44:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You make the decision. You are NOT ready, your son also...so your husband needs to shut up. He is obviously jealous of the attention you give your son. He feels your son is getting "more of you" than he is... that is childish and ridiculous.
I feel the baby should continue on the breast until 6 or most 9 months old. Once he gets teeth and starts "biting" or hurting is when you should wean. By then, he should be able to eat fruit or veggie puree from a spoon. He also will start juices from a sippy cup by then. Until then, keep him CLOSE to you. Your husband needs to know he was on a breast or bottle for much longer as well. BABY!
2006-09-16 12:32:45 · answer #8 · answered by schnikey 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The World Health Organisation: "The Expert Consultation recommends exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, with introduction of complementary foods and continued breastfeeding thereafter."
You are not being lazy by staying at home (i have a 6mo and i work one day a week for a break!!). You are instead giving your son the best start he can possibly have.
The World Helath Organisation actually recommend breastfeeding AT LEAST until the child is 2years of age to compliment their intake of solids... in light of these recommendations, your husband is really asking you to wean your son to an inferior (and more time consuming) food VERY early!
Just remind him about mixing up formula, sterilising bottles, taking supplies with you when out... how easy is breastfeeding in comparison! You don't want to lose your milk supply just for him to want you to breastfeed again when he realises how convenient breastfeeding really is.
2006-09-16 15:43:04 · answer #9 · answered by EC Mama 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first off tell your husband that you are feeling pressured and you shouldn't have to feel that way. 2nd of all your baby won't starve if you go to work, his stomach will give in and he will take the bottle.
If you need to go back to work soon start by leaving the baby for a few hours with your husband or whoever so your baby and your body will get used to the bottle. if a few hours is not enough to convince your son try 6 hours.BUT..........
I am pro breast feeding so for me the real answer should be to tell your hubby to get a part-time job so you can comfortablly wean your son over the next month or 3.
2006-09-16 12:34:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋