BF but refuses bottle

[nursemeg01]

I didn't know if I should post this here or in the bottle feeding forum...

I have been exclusively breastfeeding but we introduced the bottle at 4 weeks since I will be returning to work after my maternity leave. My baby had a few days of not wanting the bottle at first but then had a great period where she would take the bottle immediately.

She is currently almost 10 weeks old and had been getting a bottle every night as part of her bedtime routine. Last night she refused it, this morning she refused it, and an hour later she still refuses it. What is most concerning is that she is smiling and happy but the minute we approach her with the bottle she begins to cry. This continues until we take the bottle away. She even was rooting on my husband's shirt while he had the bottle in hand. She has taken this bottle many times before so I don't think that it is a flow or nipple problem. What is happening?

[bennysmama]

Did anything else change before she got the bottle last night?  Here's what worked for us with going from BF to bottle -- hopefully there might be something in there that could help you too.

Lots of ((((hugs)))). 

(1)  DH gave the bottle so that DS wouldn't smell the milk on me

(2)  -- and I think this bit helped lots -- DH stripped to the waist so that there would still be skin to skin contact and comfort

(3)  we warmed the teat under hot running water

(4)  we used a bottle that is, they say, very good for BF babies (Born Free aka Dr Browns). 

(5)  started with the second feed of the day so that DS wouldn't be too ravenous and I wouldn't be too stressed.

xxx

[nursemeg01]

Nothing has changed except I let her suck on my pinky finger to soothe in the crib. She won't take a paci and I really have been working to get her off of me and into the crib. I only did that maybe two times so I can't imagine it would change things. I will try these tips--especially the skin to skin. Hopefully it will work. We tried again this evening after I bought the Dr. Browns nipple. no luck.

[bennysmama]

Did she get any reflux/colic the last time she took the bottle?  Just trying to work through possibilities.

I'd say keep going -- but very gently.   What worked for me was repeating (silently!) to myself, eg, "Okay, if it doesn't work, that's fine, we'll try again later or maybe tomorrow, no problem". 

Maybe have the bottle around when fun things are going on?  So that it loses any bad associations. 

xxx

[nursemeg01]

Still not working but I'm waiting a few days. Her GP started her on Vit D supplements and the iron in them has made her constipated I think...,maybe this is related to not wanting the bottle. She does still want me though. Once this issues resolves I'll try again. I'm bringing the bottle with me today to a christmas function and going to let one of my friends try. they'll be lots of people around and smiling at her so hopefully it will encourage her. I'm trying not to stress about it...but I go back to work in 4 weeks! Thanks for the encouragement, I'll keep you posted.

[nursemeg01]

Just to let you know that it worked! What we found out is that she has to have her milk warm and fresh, and she won't take it otherwise. This is going to require a bit more planning, but hey at least she's taking the bottle...and we switched to the NUK brand. Thanks for the advice!