My 5 month old daughter wont take the bottle?

Question

my 5 month old daughter recently stopped taking her formula bottle. When I offer her she either chews on it and totally refuses it. I tried changing the nipples and giving it while she felt sleepy; she didnt buy it..what shall i do?. Please help.Ps- at the moment I am breast feeding her and when I go to work my mum gives her either formula milk or pumped milk with the spoon.

Answer 1

She knows you have something better to offer her and she can't be fooled.

Answer 2

It sounds like nipple confusion. She is most likely not taking it from you because she associates you with the breast feeding. she knows if she refuses it long enough she will get the breast. it would be best if someone else gave her the bottle and you were not around for her to sense or even smell. I was told this by a lactation specialist and a public health nurse. I would give either the Playtex natural latch or avent nipples a try as they are close to the mothers shape. The Playtex worked for me. There are other suggestions like from the spoon, a small plastic cup( like the ones they give medications in when someone is in the hospital) a syringe, the sippy cup ( be careful of aspiration though) and i am sure there are more. Honestly the only way you will get her to take the bottle is to be persistent. Give it at the same time every day, don't fight with her if she is refusing and crying. put the bottle down console her and try again when she is calm. You could also mix the formula and breast milk in the bottle, starting with a higher amount of breast milk than formula. 4 ozs of breast milk with 2 ozs of formula and gradually up the amount of formula once she has taken to the bottle. Hope some of this helps you.
good luck to you

Answer 3

Don't give her a sippy cup, she's way too young, and she'll get too much liquid.

You should probably talk to your doctor about this, but there's a couple of things here....

1. She might prefer the breast milk, which mean you might have to pump extra bottles for when you're at work.

2. She might be coming out of a growth spurt, where baby's will seem like they're not eating as much even though they are getting something.

3. Your mother might be over-exagerrating. I know my mother in law thinks my baby is going to waste away if she doesn't eat as much as my older children.

4. You might have to make the switch to formula altogether so that everybody is consistently giving her a bottle.

Before you make any decisions, tho, talk to your pediatrician and see what their take is on it!

www.sanemommy.com

Answer 4

My son is 5 months I've breastfed only so far and when i offer him a bottle...even if its fresh pumped milk from 1 minute ago he wont take the bottle..he will chew on it...then get mad until i nurse him. My son's pediatrician told us at his 4 month visit last month that he can start rice cereal, 100% juice(diluted 50/50 with water), and baby food.

He will be 6 months on Dec. 24. I give him rice cereal 2 times a day, less then 1/4 cup each time. I mix the 100% juice in with the cereal and thats the juice he gets for the day, although you can give up to 2oz juice diluted half way with water. Also he is allowed up to 1 SMALL Stage ONE jar of baby food a day(not all at once). Start out with Vegitables only so he doesnt deny them later when he's getting the fruits that are much more tasty.

Answer 5

Get a "second nature bottle", it comes out at baby's r us in January 07 but you can get it online. The bottle has a nipple that is the most similar to the real thing and was designed to be more interchangeable with breast feeding than regular bottles.

Answer 6

Cup feed her. Get a lactation consultant to show your mom how. It is easy once you get the knack.

Also maybe she doesn't like the formula.

Also if you are only gone for 8-9 hours your baby can make up for the missed feedings when you are there. Some 5 month olds sleep 8-10 hours with no food, and they are just fine.
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html

Answer 7

Hi. Like everyone else said, it is normal. My little boy would put his hands around the bottle, but he can't quite hold it up while he feeds. I used a small 4oz bottle the other day to give him some juice and he held it all by himself the entire time so, it may be that the bigger 8oz bottle is just too big for her to hold up alone just yet.

Answer 8

How long have you been back at work? Will she take the bottle from any one else. If you have not been back at work for long then perhaps it is her way of saying she does not like it when you are gone (a protest).
If she is sitting already you could try a training cup or cup and straw. Try not to stress too much, if she is healthy and a good weight as she will not go hungry, just keep trying.

Answer 9

She will not take the bottle when you give it to her because she smells you and knows that you have something better.
If she doesn't take it with your mom perhap she is ready for some light baby cereal mixed with breastmilk. I know it is challenging to breastfeed and have a career outside the home but it is so well worth it for your baby and you. I hope you can continue to breastfeed but if not maybe you might want to try a different formula.
Good Luck.

Answer 10

At 5 mos, you could try a soft spout sippy cup instead. Avent makes a good one.

Or you could try a Rubbermaid "juice box" bottle with a straw. My kids used those and it worked pretty well. You can squirt it into her mouth through the straw as she learns to use it.

Answer 11

Try Dr. Brown's bottles, they are fantastic...try feeding baby when she is not really hungry, but not full either...maybe stop in between and offer bottle to see if she will try to take it. oh, and she is too young yet for a sippy cup please don't listen to that person and give her one, a sippy cup should not be introduced untill 7 months or when baby can sit totally by it'self.