My 3 month old is needing formula as well as breast milk because I am not producing enough milk to keep her sustained but we are finding it hard to get her to take a bottle, any suggestions on what we can do?

Valerie - posted on 04/04/2009

with my young one at 2 months, she woudl also refuse a bottle compared to breast, so what i did was start off breast feeding and the while she was latched, slip the bottle nipple into her mouth and pull your breast out, just continue doing this it may take a few days but each time you do this she will drink more and more formula until eventually she drinks the whole bottle. it is the taste that she doesnt like. breast milk is sweet and formula just doesnt taste right. hope that this helped. 

Sandra - posted on 04/04/2009

If breast feeding is your priority stop the bottle!! Let the baby drink from a small bathroom sized paper cup you dont want him/her to become accustomed to bottle feeding it makes breast feeding all the more difficult. Drink alot (I mean A LOT) of water as long as you are well hydrated your milk will increase and nurse every 2-3 hours if the baby is not hungry...pump!!! I had the same problem and the water and pumping will defintely help. It seems like such a difficult thing at first but its really natural once you get the hang of it.

Elecia - posted on 04/04/2009

Definitely try nursing more often to produce more milk. If baby is sleeping when you should be nursing (start with every hour- tho it's a pain) pump to get your breast use to producing at that time. Also massage your breasts before each feeding or pumping to encourage the milk to travel down. If all this is too inconvenient and you still need formula, make sure you relax and are not stressing about the fact that your baby is not getting your milk. Stressing/Frustration of any kind not only affects your breast milk production, but your child can sense it whether you show it or not, and it will make it difficult for the baby to focus on latching on anything, be it breast or bottle. Hope this helps! I had trouble with milk supply at first, but eventually built it up so that now i produce enough to just feed my daughter on one breast per feeding. use both every hour! as soon as it seems like baby is finished on one, switch to the other. then count an hour.

Sheila - posted on 04/04/2009

There are some areas that have Mothers like myself that produce way more than the baby eats and the breast milk is tested and put in a bank for mothers that want the breast milk but cannot.

Courtney - posted on 04/03/2009

When I returned to work, my daughter was 5 months old and haden't started solids yet. I breastfed only, and she WOULD NOT take a bottle or sippy cup!! I gave a dropper to the sitter and she would feed my daughter by dropper breastmilk that I pumped. When she started solids, she would give her the milk by spoon. Now she is almost 2 and drinks from a cup...so it does get easier, to give you a silver lining! :]

Tammy - posted on 04/03/2009

I had the same problem with my son.  I am not sure where you are or if they are available there, but closer to nature  by tommee tippee bottles were ideal and he didn't fuss.  If you do not have these in your country/state, try ebay.

Shannon - posted on 04/03/2009

I breastfed my babies and had milk complications. The more you nurse the more you produce, eat properly, drink lots of water, if pumping pump when you are done a feed. If you pump in between feeds there will be less milk when baby needs it. I would try all of this first before resorting to supplements or medications. The reason being is because your supply may become dependant on these supplements.



If all the natural methods fail, then fenugreek works well....the capsuls better than the pills. You can get these from the healthfood store.



I am not sure where you live and I know a lot of doctors won't prescribe meds for milk supply. I was on domperidon and became dependent on it...without it I lost my supply so I had to use it the whole time, but it did work. This medication is presribed for stomach problems, but a side affect of it is more milk production. I had a lactation consultant prescribe it at my local hospital.



You know your body and your baby and if you don't feel comfortable with the advice given I would consult your doctor.



I did not read through this whole thread so if I have reapeated stuff I am sorry.



My personal opinion is that if you wish to continue with the breastfeeding I would not be giving a bottle at all. If the natural methods don't work I would try something more. By giving a bottle your supply will lessen even more.



I wish you and your baby all the best :)

Diann - posted on 04/03/2009

The best thing to do is to use the playtex bottles that use the bags. The nipples on them resemble the human nipple to a tee. I breast fed all 5 of my children and when it was time to ween them off, I used it and they took directly to it.

Suzan - posted on 04/03/2009

Girl, go to your OBGYN and get a prescription for Reglan. It is usually for nausea, but it serves two purposes. Take it every six hours and in two days your milk supply will increase dramaticly. Go Now!

Gina - posted on 04/03/2009

I also had a problem nursing my 2nd child I did not produce enough milk to satisfy her no matter what I did.  At first we had trouble getting her to take a bottle but thru trial and error we found that if someone else fed her the bottle she would take it.  That of course was only after we found a nipple she would take we tried several and the only one she would take was a playtex orthodontic nipple.  Another thing that might help is we had to make the formula every so slightly warmed.  I wish you luck.  Also just wanted to let you know even though I had to stop nursing eventually and go straight to the bottle that my 3rd child was able to nurse all the way to 1 years old.  I had enough supply for her and on rare occasion when she had to have a bottle like when I went for surgery we again had to find a nipple she liked.  She hated the orthodonic nipple and had to have a straight one.

Melissa - posted on 04/03/2009

Quoting Sara:

Quoting Melissa:

Post a reply!

i done some research for you thought it was interesting for you to know -

 

Parents CAN reduce the risk of infant botulism by not introducing honey into their baby's diet until after the first birthday. As kids get older, their bodies are better able to handle the bacteria.

Also keep in mind that there are other ways that spores may be introduced to your baby. These spores are present in dirt and dust, and on the surfaces of fruits and vegetables. Protect your infant from these things, and always wash your hands before preparing formula or feeding your infant.

best make sure your babies don't inhale any dust or get dirty there are many ways baby can still be affected by this so be EXTRA careful!!!!! least i'll know when i see you walking around with your kids with facial masks on. who's nuts now ?

 

Yes, there are things in the world that we can't control.  But that doesn't mean we should intentionally expose our children to things we know are dangerous (potentially deadly).

 

I am not attacking your choices for your own family.  I don't agree, and I worry for your child, but I guess that your own decision.  But to give dangerous advice to another mom, well that's just irresponsible.

I wish you all the best luck.

 

 as i worry for your kids too breathing in toxic - deadly dust. however it was a suggestion helpful or not i don't care !!!  and mate you were attacking as that's why you responded to an ongoing thread i had with another mother ,with the comment "i worry for your kids " and in fact i  have 2 children with another on the way and if i and other mothers want to follow and suggest old wives tales which where helpful for many mothers for many years, as a mother i think they should be more than welcome to not be harrased by it !  thats all i can say.

Keira - posted on 04/03/2009

I wouldnt give her food its not good for babies the first 6 mos it can cause bowed legs. As long as she is gaining enough weight you should be producing enough milk, I know by 3mos my milk supply didnt seem as full as it was thats because your tits fill right up at first but eventually establish themelves to mothernature and know how much your baby drinks on-on-going basis. The best thing to do is drink plenty of fluids (milk and water) stay away from caffeine and eat a healthy diet. Don't get stressed. And lots of skin-to-skin contact with your baby. I agree with the playtex bottles.

Keira - posted on 04/03/2009

Post a reply!

I would pump out some of your breast milk and mix it with the formula, mostly breastmilk at first and use the tanned coloured nipples for the bottle and have someone else bottle feed her without u around. As long as you are around she wil expect the nipple./

As for your milk not coming in if you are stressed that might be why and try isolating yourself with your baby skin-to-skin alot.

Ashley - posted on 04/03/2009

Playtex has a bottle out that is called Playtex Nurser. The bottle has a plastic liner that you insert and the nipple is suppose to be soft and conform as if the baby were nursing from you. My friend uses these bottles with her baby and nurses when she can.

I also hear if you pump more often, you should start producing more.

Diana -n Craig - posted on 04/03/2009

Is there a Le Leche League near you? They are so helpful and can walk you through all this.

I know that pumping will increase your milk production, just be consistent.

My 5 month old won't take a bottle at all, even from her dad. I'm okay just breastfeeding and will hopefully continue until a year.

Good luck!

Teresa - posted on 04/03/2009

Try a different nipple I had the same problem the answer was all in the shape of the nipple

Katie - posted on 04/03/2009

Try the MAM bottles (they are hard to find but www.drugstore.com has them). The way a baby has to suck the nipple to get the milk out is the same way they do when nursing so that the nipple doesn't collapse. They are great and my daughter would go from nursing at one meal to her bottle the next and have no problems at all.

Shana - posted on 04/03/2009

Is your baby peeing enough & swallowing? Could just be a growth spurt. BF babies nurse more during spurts. I would just nurse more often & your body will cue into yor baby's needs. No need to supplement just because your baby needs more right now.

Sara - posted on 04/03/2009

Quoting Melissa:

Post a reply!

i done some research for you thought it was interesting for you to know -

 

Parents CAN reduce the risk of infant botulism by not introducing honey into their baby's diet until after the first birthday. As kids get older, their bodies are better able to handle the bacteria.

Also keep in mind that there are other ways that spores may be introduced to your baby. These spores are present in dirt and dust, and on the surfaces of fruits and vegetables. Protect your infant from these things, and always wash your hands before preparing formula or feeding your infant.

best make sure your babies don't inhale any dust or get dirty there are many ways baby can still be affected by this so be EXTRA careful!!!!! least i'll know when i see you walking around with your kids with facial masks on. who's nuts now ?

Yes, there are things in the world that we can't control.  But that doesn't mean we should intentionally expose our children to things we know are dangerous (potentially deadly).

I am not attacking your choices for your own family.  I don't agree, and I worry for your child, but I guess that your own decision.  But to give dangerous advice to another mom, well that's just irresponsible.

I wish you all the best luck.

Sarah - posted on 04/03/2009

Quoting Rachael:

My 3 month old is needing formula as well as breast milk because I am not producing enough milk to keep her sustained but we are finding it hard to get her to take a bottle, any suggestions on what we can do?

try the bottles with the teat that are like a nipple i found with my one that that worked as i had the same problem

Janice - posted on 04/03/2009

nurse more and drink lots it helped me good luck

Julie - posted on 04/03/2009

Try funugeek to produce more milk, I take two pills a day (less now than before) to help nurse my six month old.

With the bottle, my son's daycare teachers starting by putting him in a bouncer and feeding it to him from behind so he couldn't see them. They did this for a day or two, now he has no problems except he will not take a bottle if he can see me, so maybe leave him home with dad.

Contessa - posted on 04/03/2009

Alternate boobs to drink/pump from too!

Contessa - posted on 04/03/2009

The less you try to breast feed, the less you will keep producing. I breastfed all 3 of my children while working and it happened to me too. The more you rest and the better your diet the more milk you will produce too. Try a pump. Let the baby drink at one feeding on one side for as long as you or the baby can, pump the other until it's empty. Do this for a few days to a week and you will see the milk production go up. Whatever you do...don't keep giving formula if you want to produce more milk.

Jennifer - posted on 04/03/2009

Hi my son was breast feed and would not take a bottle at all. There is a store that you can find online it is called OneStepAhead.com.  They sell a bottle that looks and feels just like a breast. It didn't work for my son but it did work for many other people that had used it and it is only about $15.00 no more than that if not less.

Lisa - posted on 04/03/2009

I agree with Irene, try different bottle nipples and or bottle types. Babies are still instictual at this age and won't starve to death, I started both my kids on a really runny cereal at 4 mos actually my son at 3 months I couldn't keep up. Homemade (breast) is best but store bought works.  Don't feel guilty, it is about your childs health. Perhaps also try using a t-shirt that you have worn with your smell (no perfume) as your cuddle item when using the bottle. The scent of you on it may help relax your baby.

Tina - posted on 04/03/2009

Hi, I had this problem with my last (he i now 3yr old) I found that I had to express after each feed to increase my supply. Once I had done this a few times I was producing enough to satisfy him. I had an express pump but you can do it by hand.

Goodluck

Nicole - posted on 04/03/2009

my daughter wouldn't take a bottle, and i found these bottles online on www.onestepahead.com they look just like a breast, so it is an easier transition. the brand is odiri

Di - posted on 04/03/2009

hi,
you can get tomme tipee bottles that are shaped like a nipple. they aren't cheap though.

Laura - posted on 04/03/2009

Have you tried offering a bottle with breast milk?  That seemed to help me.  Good luck!!

Helen - posted on 04/03/2009

I had the same issue with my son, I was just not producing enough milk.As suggested earlier the "closer to nature" tommee tippee bottles are fantastic, theyre the closest teat to a mothers nipple. Babies are NOT ready for food untill theyre 6 months at least. Babies should not be given salt (we all know this) but for the same reasons sugar should not be introduced in to their diets added reasons being the rotting of their teeth even if they are not above the gum line. Your health visitor should be able to point you in the right direction if you have questions on food, feeding and any other queerys, DO NOT feel silly asking these questions being a parent is not something you just know about, like everything else you have to learn it.

I hope this helps, tc Helen xx

Neia - posted on 04/03/2009

Sometimes it's the nipple you have to find one they like. Try one that's closest to your own nipple.

Lisa - posted on 04/03/2009

I think you should ask the Breastfeeding Association, assuming there is one in your area? They are great. Having said that though, there is no shame in having to switch to bottle if there is really nothing you can do about your milk supply (I have found that a warm shower will help with let-down). There are some great bottles these days that have a teat which is similar to a nipple, to help bub adjust. Check with pharmacy.

Melissa - posted on 04/02/2009

Post a reply!

i done some research for you thought it was interesting for you to know -

Parents CAN reduce the risk of infant botulism by not introducing honey into their baby's diet until after the first birthday. As kids get older, their bodies are better able to handle the bacteria.

Also keep in mind that there are other ways that spores may be introduced to your baby. These spores are present in dirt and dust, and on the surfaces of fruits and vegetables. Protect your infant from these things, and always wash your hands before preparing formula or feeding your infant.

best make sure your babies don't inhale any dust or get dirty there are many ways baby can still be affected by this so be EXTRA careful!!!!! least i'll know when i see you walking around with your kids with facial masks on. who's nuts now ?

Meghan - posted on 04/02/2009

Try a different milk, or use the ones where you insert the milk in a bag type thing to put in the bottle...

Rheanon - posted on 04/02/2009

I couldn't get my son to drink a bottle either while nursing until I purchased a Nuk orthodontic bottle. It is the only kind he will take right now. You can also try a Second Nature bottle. The nipple has 25 tiny holes that open and close as the baby sucks, which mimics nursing. My son will use one on occasion with success.

Melissa - posted on 04/02/2009

Quoting Victoria:i never said it wasn't true -  i do understand but you obviously both don't understand what i'm tring to say hey !  plain and simple fed your kid what u want at the end of the day your their mother you know best!!!!!

Quoting Sara:

And as long as I'm at it - Please do not give your baby honey (or rum for that matter - geeze!) Remember that just because other people have done it, even if they've done it for years, it doesn't mean it's safe. We've learned a lot over the years (like honey can cause botulism in babies) and it seems that we should actually use what we've learned to help the next generation live safe and healthy lives.

Thanks Sara, I'm glad someone understands what I was trying to say!

Ashurity - posted on 04/02/2009

Look at brand "The First Years" bottle/nipple called "Breast Flow" that was the only one my daughter would take and she still loves it, The cool thing is the nipple will fit on all first year type bottles. this nipple is actually 2 different nipples that fit together. The out side one is very soft and plyable. The inside one is harder and with the 2 together they work the same way as breast feeding.

Also, with the other suggestions the more you consume both in food and drink the more milk your body will make as well as the more often you nurse the more your body will recongnize that it needs to make more milk to keep up with demand.

Jeanette - posted on 04/02/2009

Another thing to remember is that at 3 months or so babies have a growth spurt where they need to eat ALL THE TIME. My 2nd baby is just getting over hers and I thought my breasts were going to fall off! lol. The only thing to do is nurse more often to get your supply up. At this stage the milk will also be changing a bit in its nutritional consistency so it might feel like your breasts don't have enough but they really do. Just make sure you are very well hydrated and not drinking caffeine as that does decrease the supply.

Victoria - posted on 04/02/2009

Quoting Sara:

And as long as I'm at it - Please do not give your baby honey (or rum for that matter - geeze!) Remember that just because other people have done it, even if they've done it for years, it doesn't mean it's safe. We've learned a lot over the years (like honey can cause botulism in babies) and it seems that we should actually use what we've learned to help the next generation live safe and healthy lives.

Thanks Sara, I'm glad someone understands what I was trying to say!

Melissa - posted on 04/02/2009

as i said each to their own ladies follow your own style in parenting don't critasie other people as you wouldn't like it yourself's im just quoting about the rum and their are lots more ............    i say do what you want that's why we each havee our own babies !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kelly - posted on 04/02/2009

eat peanuts and drink lots of liquids and high protein, high fat foods. I used to eat m&m peanuts every day + 2 eggs, bacon and cheese sandwiches for breakfast + full lunch and dinner + snacks throughout the day. I nursed my son every day, every 2-3 hours and pumped about 16-20 ounces a day in the beginning. By the time I went back to work (when he was 5 months), I had my freezer + half of a chest freezer full. My philosophy was the more I consumed the better my milk production. I nursed him until he was 14 months. hope this helps...

Cassandra - posted on 04/02/2009

Haven't had time to read the whole thread, but hot tip when i had this problem, when my boi was only 2mths old, express some milk and dip the bottle teat in the express milk before bub's mouth. And hold bub close as you can comfortably to hear your heart beat.

Sara - posted on 04/02/2009

I agree with having someone besides yourself give the bottle. Babies can tell if mom's holding them and expect to get a real nipple instead of the bottle. And introducing the bottle using your milk instead of formula might help.



I also agree trying a different nipple if the one you have isn't working. I have two kids - I did breastfeed both without suplimenting with formula, and I would pump for nights I was working so my husband could feed a bottle. With my first she took to the bottle without a problem. We used Platex bottles with the drop in liners. They have a great wide base to the nipple just like a mom. :-) But when my son came along, he didn't latch on to those nipples very well. I switched to the platex Latex nipples and he did great! I think the latex just seems a lot more like a mother's nipple compared to silicone (a bit too firm)



And as long as I'm at it - Please do not give your baby honey (or rum for that matter - geeze!) Remember that just because other people have done it, even if they've done it for years, it doesn't mean it's safe. We've learned a lot over the years (like honey can cause botulism in babies) and it seems that we should actually use what we've learned to help the next generation live safe and healthy lives.

Tamyka - posted on 04/02/2009

medela nipples are great....and also u can use fenugreek capsules and plenty of water to increase your milk supply. i successfully breastfed my son for 2 years

Janeen - posted on 04/02/2009

Have a neighbor or grandparent do the feeding. My little one wouldn't take a bottle from me or my husband...but would from my mom if we weren't in the room. I know you can't do this for every feeding...but if your baby will do it for someone else..at least you know that she is able to..she just doesn't want to!!

Melissa - posted on 04/02/2009

Quoting Victoria:

Quoting Melissa:
the fact in the matter is it's been done for

many years!!! it was a suggestion GET OVER IT!!!!!!!!!!! so i'm guessing you haven't heard of rubbing rum on the gums for teething either !?! EVERY ONE raises their kids different if you don't have the utensils or money  why not try some thing that works?!?! hey it was done to me and my teeth are perfect mate! common sense!?! i use the old method and find they work better half the time it was my suggestion ok so back off. good luck obeying every experts rule .

what a load of ....i and many other children in the world were fed it some people can be just to over protective hey! alot of things are bad for babies a bit of honey won't kill them hey my kids and i are alive !!!!!!!! ! have you ever heard of honey on a dummy ? it's VERY common ! as i said most people wouldn't suggest it i'm not here to argue however it was a suggestion. yes it does rot their teeth but did you read what i wrote a small bit not all the time it's people like you who stop other mum's from even suggesting things like i already siad alot of mothers will disagree so why even raise an alarm !?!? i am trying to be helpful too so just let me be god damn she will do what she wants to !

I raised the alarm cos honey is dangerous to babies, did you even read what I wrote?! I too am trying to be helpful and informative. Maybe where you come from it's okay to go against the advise of experts. And using a little common sense is not being over protective.

Terri - posted on 04/02/2009

We had the same problem.I couldn't give Rose a bottle until recently (she is now 8 1/2 months) as she coul.d smell my milk. My partner Troy would give her a bottle. She would spit it out more often than not, but she eventually got the idea. Troy also felt more involved as he was helping to nourish her. Hope this helps

Tamara - posted on 04/02/2009

What's making you think that your milk isn't enough? Is she having enough dirty diapers, meeting milestones?

Karin - posted on 04/02/2009

Yes relax and dont worry!!! i have 5 children, i couldnt breast feed my first child as he was far too hungry and the demand was far greater than the supply so he was on bottles by the end of week one. all the others were breast fed. my third child was a peculier girl, she was never intersted in milk and i ended up feeding her breast and bottle milk between 3 -15 weeks, a friend of mine suggested soya milk, so gave that a try, and she had less milk again. she still isnt interested in milk. she has it on her breakfast cereal only nowadays. she will be 3 in july. i agree with the others, try out lots of bottles and find one that suits your child. when i gave up breastfeeding i planned it to start on a friday, give the last breastfeed at the first feed of the day and then use bottles for the rest of the day. i found that having someone else (hubby) feeding the baby worked well, usually hubby would deal with the feeding over the weekend. that way she got used to a different feed routine. the baby will eventually realise it is hungry and wont care that the milk is in the bottle, you could start replacing a feed with a bottle by putting expressed milk in the bottle, getting them used to the idea, then eventually changing to formula. my sons were 11 and 12 weeks old when i started to introduce baby rice due to them being very hungry boys, they are 10 and 6 years old now and dont seem to have suffered from it, always do what you feel is right for you and your child, mother knows best!!