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Refusing bottle

Cheryl - posted on 10/09/2010 ( 5 moms have responded )

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I have a 9 week old little girl. She has been exclusively breastfed from the beginning. I really need to go back to work but she will absolutely not take a bottle. I can't get her to take a pacifier either. I have tried multiple bottles and pacifiers and she won't take any of them. Any suggestions on how to get her to take a bottle. I'm not to worried about the pacifier but definitely the bottle. I can't go anywhere without her because she won't take a bottle. I have not been able to get away at all. I love spending time with her and love that we are so close but I also have a four year old that needs some attention and it's super hard to do when my baby wants to eat all the time and won't take the bottle. Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

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5 Comments

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Jessyka - posted on 10/09/2010

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I would have someone else try to give the bottle to begin with.

Some babies just don't like bottles, though -- they don't like the fake nipples in their mouths. Can't blame them! :) You can always use a cup, a spoon or a syringe. It takes longer, and some practice, but those are good methods of getting nutrition to baby if they refuse the traditional method.

Gina - posted on 10/09/2010

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I went through a bottle strike with my son at exactly the same time you are. He had been taking a bottle of expressed breast milk once a day from week 3. We went on a trip for two weeks and I didn't even think about giving him a a bottle while we were gone. Once we got back, he was refusing the bottle. I had different people tell me different things. One lactation consultant told me to try and offer the bottle when he is was drowsy and not too hungry. This didn't work for me because he would just wake up , crying and still refusing the bottle. One of my friends said that she just refused to breasfeed until her daughter got hungry enough and took the bottle. I tried this method and it worked. I have to warn you, though, it wasn't easy. It was so hard listening to him cry, knowing that all I needed to do was nurse him to comfort him. I just kept telling myself that he wasn't in pain, and I had to do it for his own good.

When he first started taking the bottle again, he would only take about 1/2 ounce at a time. He gradually began taking more with each bottle. I've been back to work for 3 weeks now and he's going back and forth between breast and bottle no problem! I only work 3 days/week, but I still pump and give him at least 1 bottle/day, just to keep him liking the bottle used to the bottle.

Good luck!

Pamela - posted on 10/09/2010

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Also try having someone else give it to her without you in the room. Sometimes they will not take it from mommy and want the breast. Or if you are in the room then they will "smell" the milk from you and want you instead. :)

Cheryl - posted on 10/09/2010

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thanks. i haven't tried those nipples. i will def give them a try. I'm willing to try anything right now

Pamela - posted on 10/09/2010

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Have you tried nuk nipples? My dd is 9 weeks old tomorrow and she wouldnt take the bottle that came with my pump set but took the nuk because it was more squishy like my nipple(tmi). My dd wont take a pacy either and I tried the soothie as well as the nuk so I was suprised she took the nuk bottle. Good Luck!!

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