How can I get my 3 1/2 mth old son to take a bottle with expressed milk? Help! I go back to work in 3 weeks?

Question

-wont take a dummy
-bottle contains fresh expressed milk
-have only tried one bottle/teat type as I am not convinced any teat will make a difference

Answer 1

I agree- they will learn to take whatever bottle they are offered. No need to spend a fortune trying different ones!

Best way to get him on a bottle:
1. Do not feed him the bottle yourself. Have someone else do it, and don't even be in the room. Hand the baby to daddy, give daddy a fresh bottle, and go outside for a walk. Take your cell phone.
2. Make sure he is hungry, but not too hungry, or he'll get frustrated.
3. Make sure the nipple is slow-flow, with one or two holes only - maybe its coming out too fast and he can't figure it out.
4. Even if you can get him to take a little, its progress.
5. If nothing works, try a sippy cup with breastmilk. Most kids can drink from them at 4 months, even if they can't hold them.
Good luck.

Bottles require different muscles to suck than nursing. He just needs some time to learn how to do it. And don't listen to these people who say "my kid refused a bottle". Chances are, they didnt work, so they didnt need to push their kids to get on a bottle.

Answer 2

I had the same problem with my son.. I waited until he was almost four months old to return to work also. I purchased one of almost every type of bottle out there and the only one he would take is the Gerber bottle. It has a smaller nipple that he seems to prefer. The nipple does make a difference b/c they are different sizes, shapes. You will have to keep trying until you find the one your baby likes. Also warm up the expressed milk and also the nipple. My son didn't like anything cold in his mouth and warming up the nipple helped a LOT!

I know how hard it is to go back to work - I hope this helps and BEST OF LUCK!

Answer 3

I would try a different nipple first. Thats too bad your son won't take a dummy, I got mine to drink from a bottle by giving him a dummy then pulling it out and replacing it with the bottle... it worked like a charm. Maybe you could try the same thing with your breast.... get him latched on and sucking and then quickly switch. Another thing I found was that my son would not take fresh expressed milk unless I warmed it up first.. apparently it got too cold for him just going from breast into the bottle..... I hope some of this helps. I wish you luck.

Answer 4

It was so hard finding a bottle he'd take. I struggled too. I tried at least 10 teats, but finnally the Adiri Breastbottle Nurser is the one he takes with out fail every time. Your son most likely will not take a bottle from you. Why should he? You got the real good stuff. Keep at it. You'll find what he likes and who he'll take it from.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

I like the playtex bottles with the plastic liners - that is the only nipple that worked for me with very little air. The doctor will tell you not to feed a baby cereal until they are 4 months old so they won't develop allergies. That is crazy - are close enough where this could be your saving grace. In the 60's, new moms started babies on cereal as early as 6 weeks old! Make the hole in the nipple a little bigger, add one Tablespoon of plain rice baby cereal to the warm milk and let him take it through the bottle. Start with once a day at bedtime (will help him sleep better) and gradually increase to 3 times a day. Once his stomach is accustomed to the rice cereal, you can try the rice cereal with bananas. He will LOVE it!

Answer 7

First of all make sure you are using a slow flow nipple, it best mimics the breast. As for the bottle, try to have someone other than yourself give it to him. Babies often associate the smell of mom with the breast and won't settle for anything less. Good luck!

Answer 8

We tried about 15 different nipples with my nephew before we found one he would take. You also shouldn't be giving him the bottle. He most likely will not take it from you.

Answer 9

Try different nipples, they're all different so it might take a bit before you find one he'll use. Also, have someone else feed him while you leave the room. He knows your where his dinner comes from and if your standing right there he knows you'll give in.

Answer 10

Only let daddy or grandma(or anyone but you) feed the baby til he gets the hang of it. I'd also try a different bottle til you find one that he likes.

Good luck! :)