How can I get my son to take a bottle?

Christal - posted on 07/10/2009

when my daughter was born i couldnt breast feed it was too sore for me bleeding and all, it was bad. so the doctor gave me these things to cover my nipples a plastic ring. maybe you can try those to get him used to a different type of nipple, then maybe if that works you can try to use a more natural nippled bottle (of course you may want to pump) the only problem with my suggestion is it may take longer to transition him than the time you have. but i hope this helps you anyways.

Nichole - posted on 07/10/2009

If whatever pacifier he's taking has a bottle to match it or a nipple to a bottle that matches it, buy that kind. My son would only take the Soothie pacifiers so every bottle we bought was Soothie bottles that way there was no confusion and he already accepted the 'nipple' shape because it was the same as his pacifier. Definitely let someone other than you try for the first few times because they will smell you and know the boob is right there and generally won't take the bottle then. Good luck!

Linda - posted on 07/10/2009

I understand your frustration. My son (now 6yrs) would not take a bottle. Totally flat out refused it, even with breast milk. I tried all bottles, different teats etc...nothing worked. However after 6mths of exclusive breast feeding, waking every hour for feeds and worrying about him (he was born with a kidney complaint) I suffered with depression. In order to get medication I HAD to take him off the breast. I can honestly say perserverance was the only thing that worked. My husband was fantastic and wouldnt allow me to breastfeed when it got really tough. I think I missed feeding him more than he missed his breast milk! So keep trying it will eventually work. You have done brilliant feeding him for so long.

Lisa - posted on 07/10/2009

I am having some problems as well with my 3 month old....here is what has been told me and i have had some luck with. don't wait until the baby is starving...he will be to mad to try the new form of boob =) today i tried another suggestion and it worked like a charm...try to feed him when he is half asleep. it worked until he woke up fully, then didn't want it anymore. i have also tried just about every bottle out there, so far the breast flow and playtex have been the best they are much softer nipples. I can get my son to take a bottle for very short spurts before he gets annoyed and I try again later. my husband doesn't seem to have the patience for this trail period...just gives up and says he doesn't want it. i am also doing it once a day every day at a time he will have to take a bottle once I go back to work in a month. good luck

Julie - posted on 07/10/2009

Another thought, what number nipple are you using? Be sure to use #1 nipples, which are the slow flow. My son hated it if the milk was coming out too fast. Even when I was breastfeeding him, if I was too full and leaking, I would have to express some so it would slow down before he would take it.

Jackie - posted on 07/10/2009

All kids a re different, what worked for me with my second one (I have 4) was to use a big medicine dropper. I couldn't be there and she couldn't be near where I usually sat and nursed her. Don't know if it will work for you but worth a try. Also, my husband would feed her about 20 minutes before she should be ready to feed so there was no extra frustration of already being hungry. After 5/6 times of doing this she starting taking the fat platex vent-air bottles. My current one likes the Avent ones but only the 4 oz not the 9 oz, go figure.

Jackie - posted on 07/10/2009

ooh just had another thought, my oldest would only drink out of the new gerber bottles with the wide nipple, it's kind of like your nipple and breast, maybe that will make it easier for him. My youngest son didn't like the small nipples either, he actually used the playtex with the flat bottom nipple. good luck hon.

Jackie - posted on 07/10/2009

you can try having his dad or someone else feed him. he probably smells your milk and that's what he wants, or act like your going to breastfeed him and slip the bottle in his mouth?? I don't know sorry hon, I've never had a problem switching my kids. Good luck. Or you could always try feeding him food since he's old enough and give him the bottle at the same time?? and maybe not feed him, only give him the bottle and if he doesn't want it, still don't feed him. I know it's sounds horrible, but he won't starve, he'll eat from the bottle eventually.

Tamara - posted on 07/10/2009

Instead of a bottle, try using a cup with a straw. The sucking motion is very similar to that used by nursing on the breast and is much less likely to cause nipple confusion than a bottle.



(Edited 'cause I can't spell. lol)

Julie - posted on 07/10/2009

Did you get that the green soothie pacifier in the hospital, and if so, did you use or still use it? That's the only pacifier my son ever had, and when we had to make a sudden switch from breastfeeding to bottle at 3 months because of health issues, the only bottle he liked was the Soothie bottle, which has the green nipple that is exactly like that pacifier.

Cathy - posted on 07/10/2009

And if your baby doesn't want it, you can just train him straight to a cup. My sister did that with all of her kids (she has 7). They never took bottles.

Shauna - posted on 07/10/2009

"Breastflow" by first years...

Constance - posted on 07/10/2009

I do have a nipple shield and have used it on and off since he was born. He also has a pacifier, so getting used to the different taste I don't think is the problem. I have many different kinds of bottles and nipples and he won't take any of them. I just purchased the Playtex Nursers and am trying those now, but so far no luck. By wn't take them I mean he won't even try to suck on it. He just cries and cries and lets the milk that does make it into his mouth just run down his chin and cheeks. I even tried fooling him by putting the bottle down near my breast and that didn't work. My mother and husband have also tried when I wasn't even around and no luck there either.

Cindy - posted on 07/10/2009

Ok. You need to go shopping. Buy one of every bottle they have. I suggest playtex, but your baby may not take to it.

You also need to buy breast sheilds. This will help your son get a taste for something other than breasts. Every two feedings use a breast sheild.

You should be able to sneak a bottle with in three days. As he tries different bottles you will get more and more freedom. Don't get discouraged.

It takes different muscles to drink from a breast then it does a bottle. And if the bottle is totally differently shaped than mommy, he's going to get frustrated.



Good Luck.

Emma - posted on 07/10/2009

My daughter was the same. What bottles are you using? I would recommend a really soft teat, mam, nuby. Keep trying and he will soon get the hang of it. Do you feed him the bottle or can someone else because he knows you have the breatmilk!

Shauna - posted on 07/10/2009

Peace and Greetings Constance:

I had the same trouble with my son when he was that age... It was a year before i stopped breastfeeding however i was switching up starting at about 7 or 8 months using a particular bottle called "Breastflow" by first years... They were a Godsend for me... He had not been taking any other bottle and believe me i tried, until i found that blessing of a bottle... I could only find them at Target in my area but u can find them online as well... Hope this helped...

Stay Positive...Be Patient...Be Blessed

Peace Is Bliss Is Infinite