I have a 4 week old who seems to prefer a bottle over breast?

Question

He started out wonderful breastfeeding, but at around 3 weeks seemed to get frustrated and would do the head bobble-thing and cry. So I gave him a bottle of pumped milk and he seemed to like it better, he also sleeps better and longer after taking the bottle. However, I feel bad about giving him a bottle, I really wanted to breastfeed. Anyone else go through this? All advice welcome.

Answer 1

I did both bottle and breastfeeding from the start. My son used the NUK bottles that were made for both bottle and breast (they help with nipple confusion because of the shape and the location of the hole the milk comes out)
I never had a problem with using both.. My son would do a "bobble head thing" sometimes too, it was just when he would rather look around than eat! Just stick with it if you are wanting to breastfeed.
Bottle feeding isnt a bad thing, so if it comes down to it.. dont beat yourself up over it.. not all babies accept the breast..

Answer 2

Sounds like nipple confusion maybe. Breastfed babies aren't supposed to be given any nipples other then mama's for the first 4 weeks... until breastfeeding is well-established. They get frustrated because it's easier to get milk out of a bottle then a breast. The best thing to do would be to either completely eliminate bottles for the time being and then slowly introduce 1 a day after a coupld of weeks of exclusive nursing from the breast. Or you can pump and give him breast milk in the bottle.... which is much more of a pain and often causes supply problems with mom. Most women who do it this way don't nurse for the recommended 1 year because they feel it's too much hassle.

My best advice would be to eliminate the bottles for now (and hopefully you're not giving him formula at all) and just nurse. He'll have to get used to it again... so it will take more patience on our part, but will be well worth it.

Answer 3

I agree with the first post. At this point if you want to be successful at breastfeeding you need to cut out ALL bottles. You are on what is known as a slippery slope, which leads straight to your milk drying up. Your milk supply is NOT established at this point and pumping doesn't stimulate production the same as nursing. Drinking from a bottle is much easier for the baby and because your son knows there is something easier than the breast, of course he prefers the bottle. He has to work harder to get milk from the breast. That head bobble is what is known as nipple confusion and it's only going to get worse if you don't cut out the bottles, at least for another month or so. After that you can try to reintroduce one if you want, but even at that point it should only be one a day. It's great that you are nursing, you just have to "fix" things at this point. You can do it!!!!!!!

Answer 4

I know EXACTLY what you are going through. My son would pull off and start hitting his head on my breast in frustration around that age. He is now 6 months and I never gave him a bottle I just dealt with it. My friends that never breastfed said "he doesn't like it or it's not coming out fast enough so you should stop." Then my friend came over yesterday and her bottle fed baby did the same thing to the bottle. I am so glad I never stopped. He does so good now and I can sleep late because I don't have to prepare a bottle. Throw out your bottles and force both yourselves to use the boob. It may stink for a while but the benefits far out way the initial discomfort. Good luck to you:)

Answer 5

Keep trying. Sometimes they just go through these stages. Babies prefer the bottle because they don't have to work as hard, so the more you give him the bottle the worse it will get as his sucking gets weaker.
Get "The Nursing Mother's Companion"
They discuss this. Sometimes it's positional - try moving him around, use a nursing pillow, switch sides when he starts to fuss, etc. This worked with my son, who is now 3 months old. He would always fall asleep while nursing and I thought he was done. Then he'd be hungry 1 1/2 hours later. Three weeks is also a growth spurt time if I remember correctly, and they fuss a lot then. Try anticipating his hunger for a few days. Offer the breast early, before he shows signs, so he's not as easily frustrated because he's not as hungry. This worked for me- good luck!

Answer 6

Once they catch on that the bottle is easier than the breast, they won't like it. They have to work pretty hard at getting milk out of the breast whereas the bottle is not so hard.

Answer 7

This is precisely why they say to wait until breastfeeding is WELL ESTABLISHED before giving your baby any sort of nipple- bottle, pacifier, etc. which for most women is the first 6-8 weeks. NOT 3 weeks, not 4 weeks, but a full 6-8 weeks.

If you want to continue breastfeeding, I'd stop using all bottles completely for a good 3-4 weeks to get you back on track. Your son needs to learn how to breastfeed before you just give him bottles, which is so much easier. Breastfeeding directly is just so much better anyways, and is better for his mouth and jaw.

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Answer 8

He likes the bottle better because it comes out faster! Do everything you can to get him to nurse. It may be tough, but when he is hungry enough, he will take the breast! Be patient and he will go back to nursing. Also make sure you stay hydrated so there is plenty for him to eat and keep the bottle away for at least a few weeks until nursing is going well!

Good luck!

Answer 9

I experienced the same thing with my son because I was going to school and he was getting bottle fed while I was at school. Just keep at it! He will grow out of it and learn to take both easily. He is just getting frustrated because the bottle is easier, but don't worry, just keep trying to let him latch on. Eventually he will get it. And like I said, he will grow out of it and take both with no problems as he gets older.

Answer 10

i went through the same thing with my son. the fact was, he is lazy. that's what my lactation consultant said. he loved the bottle cause it comes out faster and requires much less effort. but my advice is get yourself a really nice pump. i have a playtex embrace and i love it. i still get to "breastfeed" and he gets a bottle. it's the absolute best of both worlds. pumps can be pricey, but don't scrimp on them. a good pump is worth millions, so spend $250. put it on a credit card, whatever you have to do but don't buy cheap, it's a waste of money. don't give up breastfeeding! it takes a good 2 months to get it into a good rhythm