She is currently breastfed and refuses to take a bottle with either breastmilk or formula - Her mother would like to return to work part time and I would love to babysit my grand daughter but she cries a lot when she cant nurse when she wants to. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated!
2007-06-22 14:27:40 · 6 answers · asked by janeenie 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I experienced this as did many of my friends. With perseverance most of us were successful and were able to continue nursing and pumping for the entire year that is recommended. Here's what worked from some of my friends:
try different bottles, different nipples, different temperatures of milk, pump it one time and feed it right away so it's at body temperature, deny the breast until she takes the bottle, try at different times of day, etc.
If you're dealing with a healthy baby that is gaining weight well, denying the breast all day until the baby finally takes the bottle is not going to harm her. An opposite strategy to try though is to offer the bottle when she's not full, but not starving hungry either because when babies get really hungry and ready for the breast sometimes anything other than the breast gets rejected really quickly. A calm not really hungry baby may be more willing to experiment.
Good luck and that's so awesome that you're such a supportive grandma!
2007-06-22 14:46:27 · answer #1 · answered by Lisa B 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well first off it would be MUST better if she was pumping and you were feeding breastmilk rather then formula.
I can only suggest KEEP trying, it'll take some time but you just have to keep at it. I know it seems like a burden right now but really its a blessing that your granddaughter would prefer the breast.. some mothers are heartbroken because their children cannot breastfeed or WILL not breastfeed and would rather take a bottle.. I had that problem with my daugther and now with my son he will take either so if I have to go run errands daddy and feed but truly be blessed that your daughter got a GREAT breastfeeder!!
Just keep up and dont get frustraited.. eventually she will take it if shes introduced to it enough!!
2007-06-22 15:34:24 · answer #2 · answered by Michelle P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's so sad, having to give up nursing when the child so enjoys it!
I weaned my kids by just not offering the breast, and when she got thirsty enough, she took the bottle. That seems kind of harsh now.
Can you take the baby to your daughter's job at lunchtime so she could nurse the baby there?
If she's only working 4-5 hours a day, maybe baby could have a little cereal instead to hold her over until Mom comes home. I mixed a bit of formula with a tablespoon of rice cereal and then a sprinkle of sugar, a teaspoon of applesauce, something to give it flavor. Just a little snack till Mom gets home...
Sounds like Mom & baby have really bonded well. Hopefully Grandma & baby will bond, too. You're an angel to take her on. There's no one better to raise a child than a grandparent, given the parents' absence.
2007-06-22 14:37:17 · answer #3 · answered by TX Mom 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Don't try to supplement with formula. Stick with the breast milk. Sometimes babies wont' take a bottle when the mother is in the room or even in the house because they can smell her and prefer her to a bottle.
2007-06-22 14:34:14 · answer #4 · answered by Alicia 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
It usually take some times to feed her in a bottle. You'll probably need to take some more time and patience with the baby. Try to feed her with the bottle right after she finish taking her nap. Usually baby are easily to be hungry after naps.
2007-06-22 14:33:07 · answer #5 · answered by jj1102 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The baby might not like the type of nipple on the bottle. Try a different kind.
2007-06-22 14:35:43 · answer #6 · answered by luna 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋