Baby not liking the bottle?

Question

I am breastfeeding my 3 week old baby. I express one feed a day so that his dad can do the early morning feed.
Problem is that my baby just doesn't seem to be enjoying the bottle much. He drinks the milk, but afterwards seems a bit unsettled and doesn't sleep very well unless I give him a little feed - which totally defies the point!
He is continuing to happily breastfeed, so he doesn't have nipple confusion.
His dad gives him warm milk, in a room away from me.

Has anyone else experienced this? Will my baby get used to the bottle?

Answer 1

Check the flow rate of the teat, or try a different style of teat. If it flows too quickly his sucking reflex won't be satisfied which is why even though he finished the milk he is not settled. Or if it takes too much effort to drink he might want an easier supply.
Its easy to check, just find out how long it takes to empty the bottle. If its a few minutes only it may be too fast. If its taking over 30 minutes its too slow.
Good luck!

Been there done that, Mother of four.

Answer 2

One thing you should know is that babies differ and they changes as they grow. I had the same problem when I started bottle feeding my daughter (now 10 months) she didn't seem to accept bottle at first but as a working mother, I have to keep continuing so she will get use to it. So your baby will get use to it with time (but some babies doesn’t, my friend Sara used to pour infant milk in a cup to feed her baby – it not a thing to be scare of, if he doesn’t accept bottle feed try other alternative)

As for the unsettlement – he is barely 1 month and his system is not use to this change yet, but sometimes it might be from the formula (why not ask your doctor to recommend a formula that will be acceptable to your baby system) and again, all he needs is time to get use to this change and he will be OK. But please continue it little- by-little, let it be a gradual process until he get use to it. Goodluck!

Answer 3

Hello there.
There are so many way for Daddy to feel a part of your baby's life why have you picked this one?
Breastfeeding is incredibly important to your little baby and to miss a feeding with you is not good for him. He is trying to let you know that it is YOU that he wants and not a bottle. That is the healthy, wonderful response of a breastfed baby. It should make you happy to know that you are not easily replaced by a rubber nipple. Bottles can cause all kinds of problems for breastfed babies, they can easily get mixed up and decided that they like the way the milk just runs into their mouth from a bottle. It can cause a lot of problems. Bottles should be avoided until your baby is at least 3 or 4 months old to avoid confusion.
Let Daddy get up with the baby and change his diaper and then slip him in bed with you for his breakfast. There is no reason that the two of you cannot just go right back to sleep at that point.
Like I said there will be plenty of times for Daddy to be part of your babies life, right now he needs you in this very special way.
I know it does not seem that way right now but this time with him is precious and will be over so fast....then you will be looking back and wondering where the time went.
You will never be sorry for nursing your baby but you may very well miss the times that you did not.
Good luck and congratulations on breastfeeding your baby, it is a wise and wonderful choice.
Love and Blessings
Lady Trinity~

Answer 4

There are few reasons why babies can refuse bottle feeding:
1. The temperature- Some like it hot, some like it cold. Through you might think that cold milk may do babies no good, some of them just like it.

2. Frustration- Check the bottle's nipple part and make sure it's big enough and not blocked. By turning the bottle upside down you should see how the bottle is doing.

3. Taste - Make sure the power does not have strange smells

4. Illness- Illness, like adults, illness can decrease the desire in consuming milk/food for babies

These are few of the common issues with bottles, see this webpage for more details.
http://www.babycentre.co.uk/baby/formula/refusebottleexpert/
That webpage is fully about bottle refusing issues. Hope that helps =)

Answer 5

Try different nipples on the bottle. The one you are using may be too easy or too hard for the baby, the point is to find one that makes the baby do more or less the same movement and effort as when he's being breast-fed.

Answer 6

Aparently the baby uses a diferent technique between breast and bottle. My sister did both but instead of using a bottle she gave her it in a cup. Be very careful when the baby is drinking it, but it worked a treat. Because of this my niece never used a baby bottle/toddler cup and has always drank from a cup.

Answer 7

Hi and congrats on the new baby!!!! i would try changing the teats on the bottles, my baby would only take the funny shaped ones and the same as her dummys. so try that and if that doesnt work maybe talking to your health nurse or doctor about it and see what there advice is. and maybe try giving bub some wind drops in the bottle to help with the gas . Good luck.

Answer 8

I had the same problem...if your baby is drinking the bottle then the problem is probably gas from the bottle...I tried switching to different nipple shapes and sizes until it seemed to get better...congrats on your new baby and good luck!!

Answer 9

My daughter hates the bottle. But since I've gone back to work she doesn't have a choice.
Are you guys burping him really well after the bottle?
I never had to burp mine when she was that age and just breastfed. But but now when she gets a bottle she gets gassy. And you can just tell she's uncomfortable.

Answer 10

i had the exact same prob but i tried baby on bottle when he was round 4 months, and still it wasnt that hard..u just need to be patient witht he baby...my baby is now nearly 5 months and tkes bottle with no problem.....giv him 1nce or 2wice evryday..baby is use to you so its no suprise when they act this way..and also try different teats that are soft and designed to look feel like ur breasts..tommie tipee is good..i think thats how u spell it! my sister uses them and she ses there relly good. and about hes gas..yes ive had that problem too...just make sure u burb them after evry feed not just lie them down..i did that due to laziness...but i learnt my lesson when my baby would scream bcus of this.
and also u could try gripe water..it worked for me...
its tkes time for baby to get used to something new..so giv baby time and be patient!