Breastfeeding and bottles?

Question

I've been breastfeeding exclusivly for 8 weeks. I unfortantly have to go out of town for a few days in about 2 weeks and can not travel with my son. I have been pumping milk to store, however, introducing a bottle is not going so well.

I've been trying to include one bottle a day with regular nursings, but he regects it. I do not want to cancle my trip because my son won't nurse on a bottle, so any hints or websits?

For those who don't know, I plan to keep on breast feeding. I CAN NOT TRAVEL WITH MY SON!!!

Answer 1

I'd suggest that you find a way to travel with your son. Be creative. Find a way to make it work if breastfeeding is important to you. Otherwise, anticipate having a child who is on a nursing strike or has weaned prematurely. IMO, this is far too young for a separation that will last days. You will probably have to work hard to get baby back to the breast after several days of nothing but bottles. Also, would you be able to pump during your separation?

Why do you need to travel? That might help us come up with potential solutions. If you are traveling for work, take along someone else to help care for the child. (Grandma, dad, aunt, etc.) If you are traveling for pleasure, can you reschedule the trip for later on when baby is older? Or is there a way for baby to come along?

Ideally, the bottle needed to be introduced between 4-6 weeks to get him to take it without a struggle. He's old enough now that he has figured out that it's better the nurse from mom than some old bottle. He's developed a strong (and good!) preference for mom! Smart baby!

Who has offered him the bottle? It should NOT be mom. It should be someone else and you shouldn't be in the room when they offer it. What kind of bottle have you tried? Always use a slow flow nipple with a breastfed baby. Try Avent nipples as most breastfed babies like them. Have the caregiver try holding him in a nursing position or try other positions such as laying on their propped up knees facing the caregiver or with baby's back to the caregiver's chest, facing out. Try different temperatures of milk....cold....room temp....body temp.

The links below may be helpful in getting him to take a bottle and there is also one on traveling that might be helpful.

Answer 2

I had a similar problem but the other way round. My son was started on bottles at a couple of days old @ hospital. I really wanted him off the bottles and on the breast. I was told that a hungry baby will eventually feed however the milk is presented! Lol - these people aren't coping with a screaming hungry baby are they!!

My advice is to make sure you're on the slow flow teats (1hole). Get someone else to feed them - while you;re there he can sense the breast he wants. If you're not there - hopefully he'll realise that the breast isn't coming - so he'll be happy with the bottle! It'll take time and patience - keep trying - babies all to often tend to realise they prefer the bottle because they don't have to work so hard to get that yummy milk. Good luck - I really mean that - feeding is such an issue with babies - and this on top of having to be away from bubs for a few days. My son is 4 1/2months and I've managed a 2 hour shopping trip without him so far and that was more than en ough for me!

Answer 3

I guess there are a wide variety of 'tricks' to use: try to introduce the bottle while he's really hungry, mid-way through if he didn't take it, then at the end if he still rejected. Some babies are easier if they are hungry, others when they arent hungry. Have the milk be at body temp, like it would be straight from the source. Try different nipples, I think I used silicone ones shaped more like the real thing, but then there is a huge debate on which ones are better (silicone vs latex). Definitely have if you can someone else try to give it to him while you are not within sight. Turn him away from your body while you are very covered so he can't see/smell your breasts as much. Let's see, I cant think of any more tricks off the top of my head. But you shouldnt have to cancel your trip - if nothing else works and he wont take the bottle he can be fed with a spoon or with a medicine dropper. Sure that would take longer to feed him that way but hopefully whomever is watching him would be willing to take the time. Bon voyage!

Answer 4

Hey, well have using more natural shaped nipples, and latex if he is not allergic.

However unless this trip is really important, like your career depends on it or something. Maybe you should consider postponing it. The baby is so young, and will be so upset without mommy, especially now in his bonding stage. Yes he is still bonding. And what happens if he never takes to the bottle and you are out of town.

You will have plenty of time for weaning later, and he has been exclusivly breastfed so he's hooked.

I say reconsider the trip.

Answer 5

Try having someone else feed him without you in the room. Nursing newborns often will not take bottles from their mothers. Your son knows your scent and knows that you are the milk source; so, having you introduce a bottle is kind of pointless. Most children will not starve themselves (he will eventually drink), but, be prepared for an unhappy child and caregiver.

Answer 6

Wait until your little guy is hungry, I found the last feeding at night to be the easiest for some reason, I had someone else feed my daughter while I stayed well away, and stock up on lots of different kinds of nipples, you never know which one he will take to. Lots of patience, keep at it, also squeeze some of the milk out so he gets the idea that it's the same thing just a different method. I know it can be frustrating, be relaxed, and keep on it. If you believe he will figure it out he will. Take care.

Answer 7

I think you should start to train him with a bottle first B-4 you leave out of town..Does your son use a pacifier?, if so that is somewhat of a nipple on a bottle, but not to change the subject. You answered a question of mine not that long ago I said my boyfriend took a shower 6 days ago and we had sex 2 days prior, he took the last shower. Do you think he should smell like a girl around his privates??

Answer 8

Try waiting until your child is very hungry,then try the bottle. Or start him off on the breast and then introduce the bottle midstream. Also use nipples that are similar to a woman's breast

Answer 9

Breast is Best!
Natural, Bonding(Between Mother and child)
Full of natural Anti-bodies for healthy development and Protection from Germs!

Offers Long term benefits on a Child's Development!

Answer 10

I have had the same trouble and perhaps you can try a bigger teat. The Avent bottles have a larger teat that is more like a breast. Maybe that can help you.