8 month old refuses to take bottle?

Question

My 8 month old refuses to use a bottle even if i put breastmilk in it. I give him one everyday and he has yet to give in. The reason i am pushing the issue is I have plans on night in a few weeks and he will be spending the night at my sister in-laws. I have yet to leave him for a whole night and i am looking forward to one night off( Time alone with hubby and much needed sleep) I am very worried because he constanly wakes up at night to "nurse" he isn't hungery but he seems to be using me as a soother.

If you have any suggestions i would appreciate help on both "problems" that being getting him to take a bottle and to stop using me as his soother

Answer 1

Are you the one giving him the bottle? Breast fed babies usually associate the mother with the breast. Try having your husband feed him. Wait until you know he is really hungry. Let him fuss with your husband a little and try to stay out of the room. If he sees you, he'll want to nurse. You can also have the 'babysitter' feed him the bottle.

I agree about using a sippy cup and how that might work better, but if you want a bottle you can purchase a set of Medela bottles and nipples. It comes in a set of 4 for around $19. My daughter started on Advent bottles when she was only a few weeks old because I was eventually going back to work and also because my nipples were sore.

My husband found out, after finding he had no more clean bottles, that the Medela bottles actually work better. The nipples have more of a breast fed design and the milk comes out slower like breastfeeding. Now we only use the Medela bottles. She falls asleep faster without running out of milk and likes the nipple better than the Advent brand. (She also stopped using the pacifer at this time since it's shape is the same as the Advent nipple and wasn't 'soothing' to her anymore.)
If you try them, remember to keep the flat side down since babies run their tongue along the bottom of your breast and he may also take in most of the nipple. (there are lip grooves for this purpose-they wont't choke.)

Answer 2

Try a sippy cup instead of a bottle. Babies that age should be able to drink from one. You shouldn't be allowing him to use you as a soother anyways. It is time to break that habit. If he isn't feeding than take away the breast. Babies have to learn other ways to get comfort and you are not helping by letting him sooth himself like that. If he was alone with his father what would you do? Try an actual soother, sing songs, let him cry, every baby i different you just have to find what works for him...Like he is a new born again.

Answer 3

I can relate to you totally!My daughter went from the nipple to the zippy cup without ever taking the bottle! She hated it!Even with breast milk like you did.
Try, on the time you have left...to take it off him during the night.Make hubby sleep with him and let him hang around when the baby will cry for you.
After a couple of 2 very hard nights for all of you...the baby will get the picture that mami does not come at night.It is a family affair...but someone has to do it...you smell like milk all the time for the baby so you can not get closer and refuse yourself.If the dad comes...there is nothing for the baby there.I am sure you will conquer this.And have fun on that night out!

Answer 4

I put my son onto a cup at five months old. He also wouldn't take the bottle. Try giving him a dummy when he wakes, although he is a bit old for that. Otherwise I'd try just putting him back into his cot and settling down without feeding him. I think if you're going to make him take the bottle at night, you're just prolonging the agony. Far better to teach him to go back to sleep without waking for a feed.

Answer 5

Oh, honey...at 8 months old he should be sleeping through the night. I suggest giving him something with some weight to it before bed...dinner time...cereal and if he wakes up at night...just pat him until he falls back to sleep...that or just give him an ounce or two of water and he will soon stop! I just had a 7 month old move in (foster care) and within two nights I had him sleeping through the night...needless to say the "mom" is astounded that I got him to sleep through the night.

Answer 6

When you try to give him a bottle make sure that you are holding him. Try various types of bottle nipples. If he won't drink from a bottle will he drink from a cup? My coworkers baby drinks from a cup or moms breast. Is cereal an option to end the middle of the night feedings?

Answer 7

Did you try using different nipples? they have the drop in bottles with the thicker nipples that would comfort him like your breast. Also they have bottles and nipples that help sooth the transition for your baby. I would go to wal-mart and look through all your options. I understand your issue with needing a break, I never left my daughter until she was 2 1/2 and that was only because me and her father were going on our honeymoon I was gone one night and worried all night long, so going now will probably make it easier for you. Keep trying something is bound to work

Answer 8

You may just have to try different types of bottles. There are so many out there.. I know. But the baby just doesn't like the feel of the nipple and it will cause them to not eat. Good luck.

Answer 9

mother nature is wonderful. when your child is hungry enough he/she will take the bottle. I think the problem may be you. By that I mean you don't want your child to go 'hungry' for even a little bit. not to worry. your child will after some fussing take the bottle. hunger will prevail AND it will free you, stay strong 'it isn't easy raising parents' Enjoy

Answer 10

try a toddler cup, no sense starting a bottle at 8 months, there are a wide variety of soft infant cups out there you will be glad you skipped the bottle