My baby refuses a bottle, please help!!

[chell]

Hi, my friend has a 17 week old boy. He was first introduced to a bottle 7 weeks ago, but decided to stop and bf exclusively. Now she is trying to get him back on to one, but he refuses. He will cry and turn his head away, getting very distressed. She would like some advice on what is happening and what to do. She also thinks he may be teething.

She has always let someone else try and bottle feed him - mum tried twice, DH tried once.

Look forward to your replys!

[Mariek]

Hi Chell

It could be the type of bottle, do you know which ones she's been using? The problem with standard bottle for breast fed babies is that the milk is free flowing (not like the boob where they only get milk when they suck) so it can be a bit overwhelming for them.

She could try a Haberman feeder or Dr Browns bottles (which have a valve to stop this happening). They're more expensive though.

Is he having formula from the bottle or expressed breastmilk? If its formula it might just take a while for him to get used to the change.

There's a thread on the breast feeding forum with tips on getting a breast fed baby to take a bottle. Take a look in there for some tips for your
friend.

http://www.babywhisperer.com/forum/share-your-tips-for-getting-b-fed-babies-to-take-a-bottle-vt9215.html


love

[DREAMER]

Makaylah did the same thing.  She stopped taking the bottle at 3 months -cold turkey.  She is almost 6 months now and is just starting to slowwwly take it - only a little bit - again.  I bf and am trying to give her the bottle with formula as well.  The formula that she is starting a taking to is  Nestle with the added omega's.  The situation to is is still unexplainable and it certainly made outings a lot longer than should be, but eventually our LO's come around again when they are good and ready.  As for using a specific bottle - I tried them all - it was only when she decided on her on will to give it a try again.  I give her a generous 2 months until she is ready to bottle feed exclusively.

[chell]

thanks for you replys I'll pass this info on.