My 4 month old son refuses to drink from a bottle, what should I do?

Question

I have been exclusively breastfeeding my son for the past 3 1/2 months but now I would like to have him drink from a bottle every once in awhile. My husband has started feeding him a bottle once a day but my son just will not drink from it. If he does drink it takes him an hour to drink one oz. I really don't know what to do. Do I have other options if he continues to refuse a bottle like a sippy cup?

Please help. Thanks

Answer 1

Your baby is used to suckling at your breast, not the imitation. You will need to find a nipple that he prefers. We went through this about the same age with my little girl and I truly though I wouldn't be able to go back to work because she wouldn't eat. We went through 8 different kinds of nipples before we found that the Nuk brand were the ones she would use. It was a struggle. I know they say to only let someone else feed him while you are not in the room because if the baby smells or hears you he will not take the bottle, this was the opposite for me. I was the ONLY one that could get her to do it at first. It will take a lot of patience, and a lot of different approaches but eventually you will find the right fit for your little sweetheart. Best of luck to you both!

Answer 2

you should first carry her to the record to work out if there is a few thing - sores, yeast, etc... in her mouth this is making it uncomfortable to devour and latch on. it may also be an ear an infection and the sucking is causing her discomfort. See the record instantly away, and bypass from there. If it really is not any longer it, then save attempting diverse bottles and nipples. some little ones replace nipples especially many times - there are all diverse shapes, flows, textures etc.. If there is not any medical reason them save attempting .you may also commence attempting a sippy cup at the same time with her. basically make certain you're regulating how a lot milk she receives in her mouth at a time, and save music of oz a lifeless ringer for if it were a bottle! also, you may want a diverse formulation.

Answer 3

There are lots of ways to feed him that have nothing to do with a bottle.

I know, my second was a reluctant bottle taker! You just have to be patient with the,. It really will take them a while to eat, and that's OK, he'll speed up with time.

First of all, some babies can lap from a small cup, like a dixie cup. Think like a cat. Other babies will take from an eye-dropper--that's how they feed some newborns to prevent nipple confusion. And yes, you can try a sippy cup. he might be a little young, but babies over 6 months usually do OK with them.

In all, just be patient with him. Nursing is more than just food, he likes the closeness associated with you.

Answer 4

My son was exclusively breastfed, he would take only an ounce or so from a bottle no matter what we tried. SO i just gave up. At 4 months I got him sippies and thats all he's really ever used.

I like the nuby ones. He does too.

I'd just skip the bottle.

Answer 5

my son did the same thing..the best advice I can offer you is to try a few different kinds of bottle nipples, or to cut more holes in the bottle nipple he is using..he is used to breastfeeding, where your pores are more than one hole!!
This helped some with my son, but to be honest, he never really did like the bottle and always fought it...

Hes 5 now...dont worry...your son will be fine..if anything, make sure you mix formula or breastmilk with his cereal so hes getting some extra!

Answer 6

The reason why he refused the bottle, or took so long to feed is because the flow is too slow for him compare to breastfeeding. Just use the tips of the siscors to snip the hole to make it bigger, and make sure the nipple is soft enough for a 4 month old.

Good luck, and remember to take lots of pictures of him. They grow up so fast!