Tips for getting your breastfeeding LO to take a bottle

[BabyBsMommy]

Our lo was the same way - well, he actually took a bottle from 6-8 weeks and then suddenly wouldn't go near one!  We tried a whole bunch of nipples and finally, a BW friend from the U.S. (we're in Canada) mailed me a couple of nuk nipples that are the yellow, soft rubber variety.  Apparently, they gave them away for free to new moms at her hospital and they fit universally on many small mouth types of bottles.  I used them on our Dr. Brown's bottles and they worked well.  This was the kind of nipple he would first accept and after a few weeks of using this one, I tried the Dr. Brown's ones and he took them, no problem.  I'll also say again, as I did in a previous post, that we got him to take a bottle by offering ebm during the df.  He took the bottle with the nuk nipple in that dozy df state and then a few weeks later we tried a bottle during the day and he was suddenly fine with it.  This process is what worked with our first son, as well.  GL!

[KANAANSMUMMY]

Just a quick thanks to all the wonderful mothers who leave advice on here for struggling mothers like myself.  After studying this particular thread with so many great ideas...I decided to go cold turkey with my spirited child and move him to the bottle.  I thought 3 days like others on here would be the time frame because he is so strong willed.  Started this morning with his last bf at 6am , tried 3 different bottles, sipper cup  nothing all day.  Every 30mins all day.  Upped his solids and ensured he got alot down.  After his night bath i sat with him in a rocking chair, held his tiny arms with one hand so he couldnt fiddle with the bottle. Put maple syrup on the teat and after a little kicking he tasted the maple syrup and started to suck.  He downed 140mls and dozed to sleep.  He woke another 2 hours later and had another 60mls.  I put the maple syrup on the nipple again.  Im pretty sure its the syrup which has done it.  I also switched to a flat teat instead of round.  i also noticed the rocking rhythm helped.

Just thought i'd add my experience and gratitude.  Good luck to all those mothers who are trying

[Elizabeth's Mummy]

It is good to hear that some of you are having some success with getting your bf lo's to take a bottle.  It gives me hope!  My baby girl is 5 months old today and is refusing a bottle (even though she'd take one when she was 2 months old).  I am meant to be returning to work in Feb so am getting slightly worried about this now.  I have tried Tommy Tippie Closer to Nature bottles (teats 1 & 2), Advent (teats 1 & 2) and now Nuk latex teats too.  I was advised to try a bottle at the same time each day which i have been doing for a few weeks now.  We have got to ther point where she'll have the teat in her mouth and kind of chew on it and play about a bit.  I can not get her to latch on though and suck.  I have tried breast milk, formular, warm teats, feeding in the bath (?), me feeding, others feeding, different positions.  You name it!  Does anyone else have any other suggestions or words of wisdom?  Is it likely to just suddenly click?  Fingers crossed.  Thanks x

[* Paula *]

Have you tried her when she is at her hungriest i.e first feed of the day?

[tonihomer]

Hi Im new to this website and to the baby whisperer books.
 I wanted to ask about doing a dream feed and wind. I have given my 8 week old baby a bottle dream feed the past two nights however both times she hasn't burped  but has then spent the next few hours straining (whimpering and moaning) to do a poo. When she has finally done the poo  she has then needed to be changed as it has gone through her clothes.  This has meant she hasn't settled to sleep. Prior to doing these dream feeds her sleeping pattern would vary but she would go from 11.30 until about 4.00 most nights over the past two night with the dream feed she has woken and cried to be fed more 2.00. Does anyone have any ideas to help the wind following a dream feed or any other ideas. Im just trying to get her to go a little longer than till 4.00.
thank you
toni
 

[* Paula *]

Hello toni,

I have replied to your other post

[Sandyrp]

Hi,
My LO is almost 6 months and doesn't want to hear of a bottle.
I'm fully BF him all day long and i need him to get used to a bottle since in 10 days time, I'll be returning to work.
I've tried a couple of bottles and he refused all. He's been playing around with the Tommy Tepee one but didn't really ate anything out of it.
Can you please let me know if there's a special kind of bottle that Tracy has been using on Olly on her show with the twins?
By the way, he doesn't want to take a PC as well.
There were no issues on the 1 month, not with a bottle nor with a pc.
Please help, he's about to start the day care a week from now and i need to see some progress...
Thanks,
Sandy

[* Paula *]

I would pick a feed that you are going to use the bottle for and stick with it.  It might be easier to try him when he is at his hungriest, so say first thing in the morning.

Have you tried all the tips like warming the teat, warmer / cooler milk?

[Elizabeth's Mummy]

I am feeling very excited!  This evening after trying every day for 2 months my 5 month old little girl drank 3oz from a bottle!  I used my breast milk in a latex teat Nuk bottle, heated it quite warm (warmer than usual), warmed up the teat, sat her in her bouncy chair in front of the TV (great distraction!) and she took it.  Lets hope it's not a one off as I have to go back to work soon! 

To all those still trying please keep at it, I nearly gave up so many times but this proves that one day you're LO's may just give in before you do. 

[* Paula *]

That is fantastic news  Way to go Elizabeth.

[Declans_Mommy]

I'm a HUGE fan of Tracy and tell everyone I know who's expecting about her books.  I'm new to the website and came looking for help on how to get my 8 month old to take a bottle for two of the daytime feeds so I can nurse morning and Night.  he's quite big for his age so if I'm out and about quite awkward.  But after reading the posts I have some new hope and will try a teat like his suckie and maple syrup if necessary   We'll see how it goes.

[* Paula *]

Hi Declans_Mommy, welcome to the baby whisperer website 

Good luck with the transition, please keep us posted on how you get on.

[Declans_Mommy]

Thanks for the warm welcome
This morning he woke up at five and I don't usually nurse until 7:00 or so and got him to drink 2 oz then went back to bed til 7:30!  It's been a bit rough trying throughout the day-I suppose he's not quite hungry enough- but he's not hating it as much - At least now I have hope!  LOL  did use the maple syrup though

[* Paula *]

Great that you have had some sucess.

Keep an eye out that the maple syrup does not become a kind of prop that he will only drink if he has some of the maple syrup . 

Keep us posted on how you get on with the rest of the day.

[Declans_Mommy]

YAY!  Declan is now Successfully taking the bottle twice a day.  If it's not overly hungry he won't want it - but when he is he will take it no problem.  I only had to use the maple syrup the first three times he took the bottle after that I just ensured the teat was warm.  I feel so relieved.   I was starting to feel overwhelmed.  Meals ended up being pushed back an hour at times but I wouldn't feed him any later than an hour than our regular schedule - he'd often take the bottle then when it was around his regular meal time.  Thanks babywhisperer.com