my son will not feed from a bottle!!!

Trina - posted on 07/03/2010

I had the same problem. My son is now 11 months old. He used a bottle off and on when I expressed milk, then one day he wouldn't take it at all. I've been introducing him to a sippy cup and he doesn't want that either. He only wants to drink from the breast. But when he did like a bottle, he used the Playtex vent aire or the Medela bottles/nipples.

Patricia - posted on 07/03/2010

ooh good luck!
A cup is a good idea as is letting someone else try. Have you tried feeding him the breast for a feed, then passing him over to someone else to give him a top up from the bottle...or wait 15minutes after a feed and give him a small amount from the bottle. He might see this as an extra treat and you could build it up from there.

Sarh - posted on 07/03/2010

Have you tried rubbing the bottle nipple on the roof of his mouth? It may also depend on the nipples your using. The Playtex Nursers (bagged bottles) are really nice for this transition and they have nipple that are very similar to your nipples. Also, does any of the milk from the bottle leak onto his lips or into his mouth for him to taste that it is the same? Also, have you tried having someone else give him the bottle? My son is breastfed and will only take the bottle from me if he is held like when he is nursing and I pretty much hold the bottle between my shoulder and my breast (resting on my breast). Other wise he just coughs and gags on the milk. Some things to try. Good luck!!

Miranda - posted on 07/03/2010

thanks Elizabeth...if my child still refuses after many tries with a bottle, might have to resort to the cup if he'll take it.
Im staying positive and hopefully that'll rub off on him and will be willing to try something new..finger and legs crossed!!

Elizabeth - posted on 07/03/2010

I am also in the same situation with my five month old daughter. The most successful times that she has ever taken it has been in a rocker ( not being held like mommy holds her) and after she has watched another baby drink from a bottle. Also giving it a break for a day or two after a really stressful try so she would not get too negative an association with it. At this point i have moved onto a cup that she can hold herself and i think with daily, non stressful, tries this may be the winner. Good luck! I know its not easy!

Marie - posted on 07/03/2010

Hi My son is 16 weeks old now and i am also having the same problem he hates the bottle and starts crying when i try to give him the bottle

Miranda - posted on 07/03/2010

thanks guys for ur helpful hints! My husband tried the bottle but with no luck. I had tried the Avent bottles and now have moved on to the tommee tippee bottle which still not having any luck..but i WILL perservere and try again daily and hopefully he'll take it.
I cant start looking for work until he is successfully bottle feeding.. hopefully soon..like Arielle said, the longer i wait the harder it'll be!!

Jen - posted on 07/01/2010

I was having the same problem, but was told to give them the bottle at the same time each day and for someone else to give them it. Introduce one bottle and day and then gradually increase this once they accept it. It took my daughter about 2 weeks to accept the bottle after contiuous attempts. Do not lose faith it will happen eventually!

Arielle - posted on 07/01/2010

My daughter wouldn't suck a certain nipple. So I tried a few different kind and she now uses the advanced avent bottles. She'll take the bottle with no problem, I also introduced the bottle early, the longer u wait the harder. Keep trying.

Kathy - posted on 06/30/2010

He might accept a bottle from someone else.

Celeste - posted on 06/30/2010

Have you tried using a different bottle? Have you had someone else try giving him a bottle?