how can i get my baby to take a bottle instead of a breast???? ive tried EVERYTHING?

Question

ive seriuosly tried everything, different nipples dfferent bottles, juice, water, formula, breastmilk, temperature, warming the nipple, laying next to him as if i was breastfeeding, sitting him up and trying to give him a bottle.the weird thing is he would take a bottle until about 2 months then suddenly stopped. he is 4 months old, me and my ex split so i had to find a job. my parents watch him at night and he just wont do it no matter how hungry he gets...and if your gonna suggest anything ive all ready tried please DONT...any other help would be termendously helpful


a worn out mom

Answer 1

That is a tough situation. Your baby might be too little for this, but it doesn't hurt to try, I have heard of babies that go straight from breastfeeding to using a sippy cup, not using a bottle. at all.

Answer 2

I had to go back to works after just 10 weeks. My husband would wear my bathrobe, so he smelled like me, and leave it open so that my daughter had skin-to-skin contact. She went hungry for a few nights, but eventually did take the bottle. I definitely couldn't be anywhere near them while this was going on. If she could hear that I was close, she would certainly hold out for the real thing. It is very helpful, as others have suggested, to use the nipples specifically designed for breastfed babies. We bought one of every kind, and tried them all. She preferred Avent. Once we found the nipple she liked, we purchased more. I would definitely only give him breast milk at 4 months. Formula tastes *nothing* like breast milk, and juice and water are not good far a baby that young. Good luck...

Answer 3

Upon reading the answers given, I HAD to respond... one answerer suggested putting honey on the nipple...

Honey is an unsafe food for any infant. HONEY SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN TO CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN 12 MONTHS.

The concern is with infant botulism.

Botulinum spores are found widely in soil, dust, and honey. Adults who swallow botulinum spores are almost never affected. When infants swallow the spores, however, the spores can germinate in their immature gastrointestinal tracts and begin producing botulinum toxin. This has occurred even when the honey was only used to sweeten a pacifier (European Journal of Epidemiology, Nov 1993).

Botulinum toxin is the most poisonous natural substance known to man. The lethal dose is only 1/10,000,000 mg per kg of body weight -- an amount that would be invisible to the naked eye. This tiny amount in the blood stream can cause death within minutes through paralysis of the muscles used in breathing.

(4 months is also too young for juice)

The other answers are terrific and you and your baby will find the right solution for you. Melissa is right about the baby smelling your milk. Most parents need to wean a baby from the breast by having Dad (or another helper) give the baby his bottle. If you offer the baby a bottle while you are producing milk, he will more than likely refuse.

The breast also provides more than just milk. Your baby enjoys the closeness, the warmth, the security of snuggling with mom while relaxing to the beat of your heart. To make the transition easier for your son, make sure to subsitute intimate time where there is no feeding involved. Hold him, rock him, sing to him... when you would normally have breast fed him.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Have you tried Avent bottles? A lot of BF babies like those nipples.

Have someone OTHER than you offer the bottle. His dad or grandparents. He's smart. :-) He is going to hold out for you because he knows you have the best stuff straight from the tap.

Try positions totally different than nursing. Try having him in the caregiver's lap with his back against their chest facing out. Try having them prop their feet up and lay him with his head at their knees facing them. Try having them walk around with him in a sling or carrier and offer the bottle while on the move.

Have you tried soft spout sippys without a valve? Avent makes one that might work. You could also try a Rubbermaid "juice box" which has a straw. You can squeeze it a bit to squirt milk into his mouth as he is getting the hang of it.

Answer 5

Im sorry, I feel for you, my two month old would take the bottle and a pacifier for only a few weeks and now gets really mad when i try to give her either. I used to cry a whole lot because I didnt think my baby was getting enough to eat from my breast and now sometimes I still wonder if she is. I used to wash a zillion bottles a day trying to get her to take the bottle and wasted soo much formula. I noticed that when she did take the bottle it was always from my husband and not me. Dont give your baby honey like that person wrote, it could give your baby botulism.

Answer 6

I totally sympathize with you. I nursed all 3 of my kids. Have your parents try using a medicine syringe (kind of like feeding a baby bird!) At least he will be taking in something, and once he realizes it satisfies him he may start accepting a bottle. I was also told to try sippy cups, regular cups and even a spoon. I started my last baby on a sippy cup very early just in case! Good luck to you and keep up the good work breastfeeding, I know it can be exhausting but you are doing the best thing for your little guy!

Answer 7

I agree with above - playtex. I loved the liner ones too (playtex nurser). I will tell you she didnt like bottles after she grew, and i tried playtex ventair nurser that come 3 in a pack, but i hanged the nipple to the nurser ones. (stage 1) she is 8 months old and were still attachd to that nipple!

Anther solution - when my baby doesnt take the ottle or breast (this is also how we started her breast feeding) we'd give her a nuk to calm herserlf and suck....as soon as she got comfortable id quickly take the nuk out and shove the bottle/breast in....she latched on RIGHT away.

Answer 8

I had the same problem.He's just not ready which sucks for you cause as you said you need to look for work.I breastfed for 7 months before I could get her to take a bottle it drove me nuts.But now looking back on it I think she liked the alone time and the closeness we had during feedings.Don't forget that babies know whats going on around them and he probably knows there has been stress between you and your ex.He could be sensing that and wanting comfort.I hope everything works out and good luck.

Answer 9

Actually, I still prefer breast myself...............But try this, when you are breastfeeding, have a bottle right by your side. As you are feeding, switch over to the bottle, and back again. The baby will acquire the taste for the bottle as well, at feeding time. It will take a little time, but it will work.

Answer 10

if there is someone else to give the bottle try that. He can smell the milk from you and a lot of babies won't take a bottle if mom is in the area. Leave the room and allow someone else to try and feed him.