I bottle feed and breast feed him. For about two days (except at night) my son has refused to breastfeed. He gets really fussy and cries. I'll try to calm him down but he only stops when I give him the bottle. How do you think that I can get him to breast feed more? I've tried to squirt some milk in his mouth first but he still refuses. How should I solve this delimma? THANK YOU !!
2007-03-23 16:52:04 · 17 answers · asked by J.V. 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Someone answering said put honey on your breast. DON"T! Honey contains tiny spores and may cause botulism in infants which can be fatal!
If you breast and bottle feed him, one likely reason is that he is frustrated by the slow let-down reflex of the breasts, since he is used to the bottle which, when he sucks, milk flows immediately., as opposed to the breasts, which has a time lag.
Now you have to decide, do you want to still offer the breast? If you don't, then simply pump out your milk and give it to him in a bottle. Or replace with formula. (But breastmilk is the best).
If you still wish to continue breastfeeding, before you offer your breasts, gently massage your breasts to hasten let-down. You can also smell your baby's clothes to stimulate your brain to produce the let-down.
Hope it helps!
2007-03-23 17:24:06 · answer #1 · answered by Mummy Knows Best 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Relax! Try feeding him about 20 to 30 minutes before he's due to eat. He won't be quite as hungry so he'll be less fussy. If possible limit bottle feedings and make sure your not the one to give it to him. Have your hubby do bottles and you nurse. Right now he's at a stage where consistency is important. And don't worry if he refuses a feeding he won't starve. My lactation specialist explained that babies like toddlers and even preschoolers will eat when they're hungry so relax. The calmer you are able to stay the quicker he will relax. And know this, he isn't rejecting you just the change.
You might also want to look into different nipples for the bottles, there are some out there that reduce the flow of milk the baby gets to mimic nursing. Try Soothie or Dr.Brown. Also are you using Breast milk or formula in the bottles? If your using formua you might want to switch it to breast milk. The formula is heavier which may give him the feeling of being full faster which could be why he wants the bottle. If you do change over to breast milk in the bottle he will need to be fed more often, probably 1 to 2 more feedings a day. Don't worry your milk supply will increase to meet his needs. If the problem continues talk with your pediatrician and he/she can direct you to a lactation consultant. Good Luck!
2007-03-24 00:50:13 · answer #2 · answered by candy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What the f## is wrong with the people who have answered this question?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stay away from this category!!! You vulgar disprespectful a###holes!!!!!!!!
Sorry asker,
now, be careful how you handle this, as babies can very quickly decide they prefer the bottle. I have the opposite problem, which is also a problem unto itself!!!!
Have you been using formula? It is possible that he prefers formula. (I can hear all you other mothers cringeing!) Some bubs are just hungrier, (especially boys, dont know why) and they get more satisfied from formula. If you are using b/milk, then maybe try only giving him the bottle at a certain time of the day, for the next 2 or so days. He will probably scream a bit with hunger for a while, but it won't be long before he takes you back again.. I went through this process with my first son. Hang in there, you will both get your rythym back with a little patience..
Good luck!
2007-03-23 17:51:13 · answer #3 · answered by hippygirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm afraid it seems the consensus sounds right.. he is showing a preference for the bottle due to the ease of getting the milk. You could try exclusively breastfeeding for a while to get him to take the breast but a feeding strike could result which he will win.
I think you're probably letting him have his way relatively quick in the battle...
So, a suggestion.. try to notice his first indication of hunger and get him to the breast quickly to encourage him to feed when he's not in a frenzy to eat. Also, massage your breasts to get milk flowing prior to starting to feed. For me, my milk flows really quick so it's faster than the bottle in some ways so if you are fortunate to have that type of flow that should help with the transition back to the breast.
Good luck.
2007-03-23 17:46:57 · answer #4 · answered by camille34042 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bottle is easier to drink from than the breast. Giving both the breast and bottle at this age causes "nipple confusion." If you want to continue breastfeeding, I suggest you do so on a continual basis, and if you need to go out on your own to do something, then pump some milk for a bottle. He is willing to take the milk at nighttime because he wants to be comforted, and the breast does that for him. It's hard, but you pretty much have to choose between one or the other.
2007-03-23 17:11:10 · answer #5 · answered by schizzle 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
He is probably getting it faster from the bottle. You could pump and give him all breastmilk in a bottle or you could not give him a bottle at all. Give him some pumped milk in a medicine dropper, very slowly and this will get him used to getting it slower and away from the bottle nipple. Keep offering the breast and keep pumping when he refusus to keep your milk supply up. He will proabably take the breast within a day or so
2007-03-23 17:10:28 · answer #6 · answered by jon jon's girl 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My son began to refuse the breast after approximately 5 months and that i could no longer decide what became incorrect....after some month i found out i became pregnant returned! Your milk adjustments in case you get pregnant returned and the toddler would not care plenty for it. maximum in all likelihood, that's no longer what's inflicting your son to need the bottle yet you by no ability recognize so i wanted to throw it available for you!!
2016-10-01 09:59:36 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately you can't do both with most babies as they will start to prefer one over the other. You have to decide now whether to cut out the bottle or stop breastfeeding. You should persist with this just a little longer though, just to make sure it's not just a stage your baby is going through.
2007-03-23 16:57:40 · answer #8 · answered by Mishell 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
breastfeeding requires more effort on your son's part; getting milk from a bottle flows easier and is probably more satisfying for him. If it is the breast milk you want him to have, try pumping milk and giving it to him in a bottle. That way he is satisfied as are you for giving him your nutritious milk.
2007-03-23 17:02:05 · answer #9 · answered by Pandora 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
sucking the bottle is easier for them then the breast -- hes figured this out & is now choosing the easier way to eat -- don't give up -- if you want to nurse stop the bottle completely -- he will have to give in but make sure you can deal with his cries until he does -- hes old enough he won't go hungry for long -- but you can't do both hes showing you that he wants one -- not both
2007-03-23 17:01:55 · answer #10 · answered by Jel 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋