How do I get my 7 month old to take a bottle and to eat baby food? She is a breastfeed baby?

Answer 1

I agree with some of the other answers; my breastfed 12-month old never took a bottle and now uses a sippy cup. I would try letting your baby explore different kinds of sippy cups. Lots of babies refuse bottles if they have never had one and if they have been using "the real thing"! Bottle nipples work very differently from human nipples.

As for the baby food, here are some ideas to try. Both of my children preffered the baby cereal to be thicker than suggested on the box, so you could try experimenting with different thicknesses. Also, if you are not using breastmilk to mix your cereal with, try that. It might make the cereal taste more familiar. Breastmilk is also easier to digest and healthier for your baby than formula (but you probably already know that if you're breastfeeding!). Don't use cow milk, since a 7-month old might not be able to digest it very well yet.

If all else fails, don't panic. If your baby just isn't interested in solids yet, it's probably because her digestive system simply isn't quite ready yet. As long as she is still breastfed, she's getting everything she needs from your milk and there is no hurry to start solids. My baby didn't start solids until he was nearly 8 months old, but by his first birthday, he decided he didn't want the baby food anymore, and now he eats table food only, while still breastfeeding. I also know a lot of other people through La Leche League who have delayed solids for as long as one year or more. Have confidence in what you are providing your baby, she'll be fine!

Answer 2

My son was breastfed and he never would take a bottle. Since your baby is already 7 months, I would just go straight to a sippy cup. It will also help if you have someone else give it to her. She is unlikely to take anything but the breast from you. As far as the baby food goes, just use a baby spoon (never put cereal in a bottle) and make sure your doctor says that she is ready for solids. Breastfed babies don't usually start solids as early as formula fed babies. Good luck.

Answer 3

have you tried pumping your milk and giving that to her in a bottle? solid foods should be introduced slowly, at 7 months she'll only eat ~1-2 tbsp per feeding, don't overdo it or she'll get constipated, start with baby cereal and use your breastmilk to mix it instead of water

Answer 4

my daughter never did take a bottle. She was breast fed and would go the whole day at the sitters with as little as 2 swallows from a cup! I did manage to get her on a cup edventually