Need to train my baby to feed on the bottle

Chrissandra - posted on 09/26/2009

I am stuck in a similar situation. I go back to work next week and my 7 week old daughter has made it clear that she perfers the breast. Check out the following links for some really helpful tips on bottle feeding a breastfed baby. I have been following the advice given in the first link and have had great success. It'll take time to get her used to it, but stick it out. Also, try giving the bottle to Dad and go away from her so she cannot smell you. Anakyn will sometimes refuse the bottle if I'm anywhere near her.



http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/bottl...



http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkc...



http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/mainta...



http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/pumpi...

Sara - posted on 09/26/2009

I agree with the plan to have someone else feed her, and leave the house when they do it. You don't want your baby to even smell you, nor do you want to go rushing to daddy's rescue if your baby gets really frustrated. She will get it eventually - she won't starve herself!
Some babies DON'T like to be in the same "nursing" position when being bottle fed, so have daddy (or whoever) try some different positions (sitting up instead of reclining, or leaning against his tummy but facing away from dad).
We were fortunate in that my baby wasn't fussy about nipples. I just made sure to keep her on a slow flow, so she wouldn't get lazy when going back to nursing.
Good luck! You'll get through it!

Angela - posted on 09/23/2009

have someone else feed her/him that is what i tried it will definitly take some time for the baby to get used to i also used a nipple that was for breastfeeding babies. good luck.the nipple that come with the playtex disposable bottles, the flat ones, seemed to work too. good luck!

Linda - posted on 09/22/2009

Thank you so so much ladies, I will go and try all the advices you guys told me. Hope it works (fingers crossed).

Linda - posted on 09/22/2009

I do use Avent but she doesnt like it. She screams everytime I put the Avent nipple in her mouth. =(

Carolanne - posted on 09/21/2009

I exclusively breastfed for 4 1/2 months.... but had to start pumping and bottlefeeding at around 5 weeks so I know it's hard! I found a bottle called nuby, and the nipple on it is very realistic. Also, I make sure the milk and the nipple are warm (we have a munchkin bottle warmer that works amazing). One thing that will help is getting someone besides you to feed her so she won't associate you with just breastfeeding, and if you have to be the one feeding her it helps to set her in your lap on her side with her head towards your knees and the way she's laying makes her feel more like she's breastfeeding. My sister-in-law works with premies and she gave me that advice and it worked great. It only took my girl about a week to get used to it after that and she's been doing both ever since. Good luck!

Alison - posted on 09/21/2009

Plan a night out with the girls and leave your baby at home with your husband, a decent supply of breastmilk and an assortment of bottles. Go away for long enough that you know your baby will get hungry and work at it. It is hardest for moms to do this, because the baby knows you've got the goods.

Helina - posted on 09/21/2009

Babies can naturally feel when thier mums are apprehensive about anything, but natural insticts will take over when feeding. Try a newborn nipple teet on a small bottle, breast milk first in the bottle to get used to the teet before going to formula ,only feed when both you and baby are comfortable and have comfort and time to take it easy i.e with no other distractions or not during night when your tired so you give her / him time to get use to it. Good Luck :-D

Fallon - posted on 09/20/2009

I had the same problem. I tried everything! Finally the only thing that worked was the Gerber Nuk bottles. The nipple is so much easier for her to latch onto. It is true that you should not be the one to try and feed her by bottle. Let someone else do it until she is comfortable with it then she will let you. I now am able to feed my daughter by bottle and breast.

Sheena - posted on 09/20/2009

Luckily my daughter wasn't very picky, but my lil brother was and my mom used Avent everything. The nipples are very similar to the breast and is an easier transition. I also believe Playtex has some too. Can't hurt to try.

Sheena - posted on 09/20/2009

Luckily my daughter wasn't very picky, but my lil brother was and my mom used Avent everything. The nipples are very similar to the breast and is an easier transition. I also believe Playtex has some too. Can't hurt to try.

Sheena - posted on 09/20/2009

Luckily my daughter wasn't very picky, but my lil brother was and my mom used Avent everything. The nipples are very similar to the breast and is an easier transition. I also believe Playtex has some too. Can't hurt to try.