At about 4-6 weeks old my daughter was taking a bottle every night and I nursed during the other times. Now she is 3 months and about a week ago she decided she wants nothing to do with a bottle. I'm going back to work soon and really need her take a bottle during the day. I hate to let her go too long without eating, I feel like I'm going to starve her! How can I get her to take a bottle again?

My - posted on 07/30/2009

I have the same issue like you. What we have done are changing teats, formula milk, pumped breastmilk and changing the bottle soap, however to no avail. Finally last trick for these 2 days (I just try it :)) that I do is I prepare a bottle for me/hubby to drink milk then show it to her, somehow she wants to drink from bottle again. Because I am thinking if at her age she likes to imitate why don't we try to show her that we drink milk from bottle and it works!!!
Hopefully this can help you.

Michelle - posted on 05/18/2009

just hang in there, my baby did the same thing at 3 months, but at 5, he is back on track.

Tounine - posted on 03/27/2009

Try experimenting with different nipples, also if she uses a pacifier try to find a nipple that is very similar to that.  When I first started bottle feeding my oldest he wasn't interested at all.  We ended up trying 4 different kinds of nipples, we now use medela nipples, they allow a baby to latch on with a wider bottom to mimic how an infants takes more than just a nipple into their mouth when nursing, but every baby is different.  Try different times, etc, and try having someone else feed her, it can be frustrating to be so close to the source and not be able to get to it!  Good luck !!

Laura - posted on 03/26/2009

Have someone else give her the bottle? I don't know if you've already tried that.

It's hard to do, but remember that she'll eat if she gets hungry enough. My second kid has gone on a few, short bottle strikes lately. But then he gets hungry enough and starts back.

Amanda - posted on 03/20/2009

Try The First Years' Breastflow bottles.  They simulate nursing really well, including the letdown reflex.  As a plus, they also help your baby retain her latch, and they are now available in BPA free. My son took to these bottles so easily starting at three weeks, and never had a problem switching back and forth.

In addition, hold her really close to your breast when you give her the bottle so the experience is as close to nursing as possible.  If that doesn't work, have someone else give her the bottle, because she won't associate that person with nursing.  You might want to try the bottle at different times, ie try when she is really hungry, or after she hs nursed for a while.Play around with it, swtich it up, and you will find what works for you and your daughter.

Mostly, just relax.  She will not starve herself. Good luck and please let me know how it goes :)