Bottle introduction not going well

[besjoux]

Yes, we never listened to the lactation consultants about waiting 6 weeks. Mostly because I got lucky with both of my boys being born with a good latch. We always started the bottle early because it gives DH some bonding time and was important for me to have some time off. So I guess I never thought we'd have a problem with bottles! Glad it did not last long.

[Tay]

Great news!
xxx

[besjoux]

Well, it was short lived. Tonight didn't go well. He screamed until I gave in to breast feed.

[Tay]

But now you know that he can and knows how to take a bottle, it's a matter of working around it.
It might be a good idea for a while to get someone else feed him the bottles.
xxx

[besjoux]

Yep, DH always does bottles. Problem is that DH is only home at night to feed and that's when Caleb is fussy...probably not the best time to introduce bottles. Have to try this weekend during the day.

[besjoux]

Any other ideas? So far, nothing is working

[Thekatyiknow]

Have you tried morning feed? Also try a different position...and maybe try latex nipple which is softer and easier to latch. Is he refusing right away when bottle touches his mouth or after a few sips? Is he swallowing air and having a lot of burps?

[besjoux]

He is refusing right away. The only latex I could find are the drop in's and he didn't like those. He screams as soon as we try to give him the nipple and he gags. We did try a morning feeding and everything is hit or miss. One out of ever 4 times he actually takes some. He also doesn't like being held in the cradle position which doesn't help. He is fine when we breastfeed but as soon as you try outside of breastfeeding he freaks out. Do you think that he associates that position with the bottle?

[~ Vik ~]

Have you tried doing it for a dreamfeed or when he's really sleepy?  Instead of being held in the cradle position, could you try a bouncy chair or swing?

[besjoux]

Have you tried doing it for a dreamfeed or when he's really sleepy?  Instead of being held in the cradle position, could you try a bouncy chair or swing?

Yep, we've tried all of that too. I talked to the lactation consultant and we have some other ideas. Have him focus on something else. Only try for 30 minutes and then quit but don't offer the breast for another 30 minutes.

We have tried everything else. Occasionally ideas work and then a day later they no longer work. He's just not open to even trying anymore.

[besjoux]

Well, hoping I am not jinxing anything but the LC's advice did seem to work. I have been offering 1 oz for a few days now and he has been getting better and better at accepting the bottle. Today he took the entire ounce. I just point him away at me and let him focus and "flirt" with his pictures on the wall...he forgot about the bottle and just accepted it briefly at first. This morning he accepted it for quite awhile and this afternoon he ate! I don't expect the experience to be consistent right away but I think we are moving in the right direction! YAY! Very exciting for me and now I need to train DH not to force the issue!

[Tay]

Fingers crossed! Just seems like your LO is really stubborn But he'll eventually get it.
Keep us posted.
xxx

[besjoux]

Yeah, I jinxed it....gave it to DH to try and now he is refusing again. Maybe we just need to get him starving.

[~ Vik ~]

Maybe we just need to get him starving.

TBH, I'm not sure what you mean by this   If you mean to try to get him to take the bottle at the feed that he would be hungriest (and therefore most interested in) then that's not a bad idea.  The first am feed might be a good one to try, especially if there isn't a night feed close to it, as he would likely be hungry and possibly more receptive.
If you mean to offer only the bottle until he's hungry enough to take it, I really, really have to advise against that.  Your little guy is 6 weeks old now and there is a HUGE growth spurt about to happen, if it isn't happening already.  If there was ever a time not to do a cold turkey bottle introduction it is now.  If anything, as frustrating as it might be, I would even suggest stopping the bottle (or at least only offering it for one feed per day) until you get out of this growth spurt.  The frequent feeds are important for him to get the calories he needs to grow and develop properly, and for your milk supply to increase to meet his growing needs.
Here's some more information on that growth spurt for you:  http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=66001.0

(((hugs))) I completely understand how frustrating this is for you - I have been there

[Tay]

Do you know what just came to me? When DD was a newborn, still in hospital (two days old I think), they checked her blood sugar and it was very low, they decided to give her 30ml of formula to bring it up. Since I was BFng they gave her on a wee cup - and she drank out of it really well; which surprised me, it was almost like an adult gulping down a drink.
My MIL afterwards mentioned that when she went abck to work BIL wouldn't take the bottle and that's how they fed him in the nursery. Have you thought of trying that? (at least you'll know your LO is getting the milk)
xxx