Almost overnight my 2 month old wont breastfeed anymore and will only take the bottle. What do I do?

Question

For the first month I only breastfed, after that I had to use a bottle and integrated formula because he ate so much and I couldn't produce enough milk. It seemed to be working fine doing both until a few days ago when he refuses to breastfeed. He just wails until I give him the bottle. What to do?

Answer 1

First, decide what you WANT to do. I won't lie, I'm a breastfeeding advocate, and it is a well-known fact that breastfeeding is best for both mom and baby most of the time. But you have to want to do it first.

Then, if you decide to switch to formula, let it go.

If you decide to stick with breastfeeding, though, and I guarantee you that you can, I think you will feel it was well worth the effort. I doubt you need to be told of the myriad benefits of breastfeeding to both mother and child, so I won't lecture you. But I did put a link at the bottom in case you are interested.

You should contact your local La Leche League for help, because they are friendly, knowledgable, and best of all FREE. They can help you get back on track and guide you through any breastfeeding issues you may have.

If you decide you want to get back to breastfeeding, DO IT. After your baby is back on the breast, throw away the bottles and definitely all of the formula. Your baby does not need formula as long as he has you, and it is too much of a temptation. If you are committed to exclusive breastfeeding, you don't need bottles and formula around the house, anyway.

If you are having supply issues (and this is a big IF, because many mothers mistakenly think they do when they do not), there are ways to help increase your supply. Usually, when a mother thinks she has a low milk supply and the infant is between 4 and 8 weeks of age, it is because the baby is going through a growth spurt (a very big one!) and nursing every hour or so. The mother then will often pump to try to determine how much milk she is producing, and find she can't pump much. Of course, pumps cannot extract as much as a baby can, and you're not likely to have much milk leftover after a baby feeds during a growth spurt, leading some mothers to believe they aren't producing enough milk.

In cases of truly low milk supply, giving a bottle will work against breastfeeding for a number of reasons: 1) the less baby nurses, the less milk is produced, 2) the baby may develop nipple confusion and have trouble latching on to the breast, and 3) the baby will likely begin to prefer the bottle, since it is easier to feed from than the breast (no waiting for let-down, less "work" to operate). I put a couple of links at the bottom about how to determine if your supply is actually low (and it probably is now that you've been supplementing) and how to increase it.

...and now to the big problem: getting the baby to take the breast again. I have put several links at the bottom to help you out. It can be done if you want to do it, and I encourage you to try if you want to.

If you need more help or support, please don't hesitate to contact me; I'd love to be able to help you. Good luck!

Answer 2

Hi, I have to supplement my son with a bottle of formula because I dont have enough milk. he freaks out if he is really hungry because there arent enough milk ducts on my nipples for him to get a quick let down. I started latching him on to me every 30 mins, not giving him enough time to be really hungry and now he is bringing my milk volume up. I only have to supplement an ounce after feedings now instead of 2-3. When my son was born, the lactation consultant gave me a tube contraption to put in the baby's mouth while he is nursing(so the tube and your nipple would be in his mouth at the same time) so that he is drinking from you, giving the stimulation to bring up your milk supply, and the tube is coming from a bottle with an ounce or two of formula in it acting like another milk duct so he thinks he is only getting milk from your breast. When you are bottle feeding him, are you using nipples that are designed to be more like a breast? for eg. the avent bottles? This is supposed to avoid the confusion for him. Hang in there, I can totally relate to your frustrations, as I've almost given up a hundred times. I bought an early years breast pump, sometimes I can get 1.5 ounces pumped, but most of the time I cant even get an ounce. Some women cant express milk with a pump, but that doesnt mean the baby isnt getting enough. Im taking fenugreek and domperidome to help increase my milk supply as well. Fenugreek can be bought at any drug store, but it does make you smell a little, like maple syrup. And the domperidome can be perscribed by your doctor. Good luck, dont give up completley, any milk he can get from you is better than none.

Answer 3

It maybe that he just dosen,t want breast anymore that he has got a taste for it now.It might have been too early He might wail because he is a hungry baby try the next step up in your formula talk to your health visitor first. Or you could express your own milk into the bottle and feed him like that.at least he,s getting the best of both worlds.

Answer 4

Your baby was probably going through a growing spurt when you thought you wasn't producing enough milk. The baby was trying to increase your milk supply. And that's ok its confusing. But know it sounds like the baby has nipple confusion. Try breastfeeding again if it don't work express the milk and feed the baby. Or go to bottle feeding. It was a learning experience at least.

Answer 5

I had something very similar where I was not producing nutritionally good milk. My baby settled very well when I introduced complementary bottle feeds. He is now on the bottle all the time and was (and still am) very upset that I couldn't breast feed. I felt like I had let him down, but you have to do what is best for your baby. It sounds as though your baby has made the decision for you and has realised that the bottle is providing him with what he needs.

Speak to your HV as they have a wealth of knowledge and will advise you on how to best manage the situation.

Good Luck!

Answer 6

I would express your milk and put it into a bottle but still try to breastfeed everyday - maybe you've eaten something with a taste your baby doesnt like - strong tastes like curry or chilli can come through in your milk. my eldest daughter didnt like curry so i had to cut it out until she was weaned. also i suggest you ignore the dumb answers saying formula is as good as breast milk it certainly is not dont fall into the 'it never done me any harm' catogory. i think some mothers are just too lazy to bother trying.

Answer 7

Just give him the bottle. Our first lad was breast fed but was difficult to work out how much he got and our second was always bottle fed. Both are healthy and bright so just go with bottle.

Mid wives put pressure on the mother to breast feed but bottle has many advantages. Don't be concerned at all.

Answer 8

GIVE THE BABY THE BOTTLE! I breatfeed my two kids for about 2 weeks each but it took it's toll on me. Both my kids weighed up over 9.5 lbs and they were hungry. Your baby probably wants more than you are giving him. I know most mothers would rather breatfeed cause of the natural bodily ingredients that women produce, but you can't force your child. Formula works just as well and trust me ... you're kids will not be stupid, have stunted growth or anything else people say dumb about formula. Give your boobs a break girl!

Answer 9

It's much easier to get milk from a bottle than from mom... breast feeding is harder work for them... so he's doing what he's figured out is the smart thing!!

If you're missing the closeness, just hold him tight while feeding him...

Answer 10

Just give him the bottle. Formula fed babies do fine. I had the same issue with my daughter. My son bfed exclusively for two weeks...That boy was/is GREEDY.
If you still want him to get the benefits of your milk, pump as much as you can and mix formula to it.(I did this with both my kids.)