balancing breastfeeding and bottlefeeding?

Question

i just recently started working and im trying to get my four month old son to balance between the breast and the bottle. the problem is that he refuses to take the bottle at all and refuses to eat anything during the nine hours that i am gone. i dont want to wean him but i cant let him go that long without eating eaither..does anyone have any suggestions?

Answer 1

You absolutely can let him go that long without eating if he refuses to accept a bottle. Some (few) babies are capable of sleeping through the night for 8-12 hours, all doctors will tell you not to wake a 4 month old during the night to eat. Your son can just reverse cycle, that is have his longest stretch without food during the day and make up for it during the night. This will be easier if you co-sleep or at least room share. He can feed more than enough in the 15 hours you are together.

Of course there are other ways of offering breastmilk. You can give it in a cup (I cup fed my baby in the hospital). That is with a regular cup (well small and light). You could try a sippy cup. Supplimental nursing systems (attached to the finger, not nipple) can also be used, though these are expensive. You can even spoon feed milk, or slushy milk.

Introducing solids at 4 months has a fair amount of risks. Including causing the baby to nurse less. Under 6 months babies are more likely to replace milk with solids rather than suppliment. In your situation I think solids would be dangerous. La Leche League says at 4 months a small amount of banana to tide a baby over until mom returns is safer than formula, and in that I agree. But in your situation I hesitate to advise that.

Alternative Feeding Methods
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/alternative-feeding.html

"Encourage baby to "reverse cycle" - reverse cycling is when baby nurses frequently when mom and baby are together (usually at night) and takes little milk when mom & baby are separated."
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/pumping_decrease.html

For more help in person contact La Leche League:
http://www.llli.org/WebUS.html (change the country in the upper right if you aren't American)

Answer 2

My son would never take a bottle either. If he is sitting up well, then I would try a sippy cup. That is what we did. As far as him not eating anything while you are gone, I would give it one or two days, he'll probably eat eventually but I wouldn't want to go longer than that he shouldn't go that long without being fed. But 9 times out of 10 a kid will eat when he's hungry. Is there anyway you can go by at lunchtime or have your babysitter bring him to you during your lunch or break time?

Answer 3

Mystic_eye is 100% correct. Lots of babies refuse bottles when with a caregiver only to nurse more often at nighttime.

Some (like mine) nurse all the time day and night, even at 15 months of age when the mom stays home. Okay, so there's no excuse for that, I suppose....

But in your situation, "reverse cycling" is actually quite common. I put a few links at the bottom about reverse cycling if you are interested in learning more.

Answer 4

I saw this question and could not wait to answer it. When I came here though I read the answer that "mystic_eye" had posted and I have to say that there is absolutely nothing that I can add to what she said. Her answer it perfect.
The only thing I would like to say is that it seems to me that you have a very smart baby. He know the difference between what is good for him and what is not. Not that the bottle would hurt him but he is waiting for what he perceives to be his mommy's milk and he is right. Your breastmilk is quite literally "worth waiting for". I see no harm in what he is doing with the exception that he is of course going to want a good deal of your attention when you do get home. That is probably fine with you since you have not seen him all day!
Good luck and what ever you decide to do I hope that you will continue to nurse your baby! It is SO important.
Love and Blessings
Lady Trinity~