Refusing bottles...help introducing bottles from EBF moms...

Well when I introduced pumped bottles to DD#1 at 4 weeks she took to them with no problem immediately and it was easy to pump and go out. She refused bottles for a few weeks but not until she was about 16 weeks old and she laughed when doing it. Eventually she took them about about 5-10 weeks later.

Well, I tried to introduce a pumped bottle to DD#2 who is 4 1/2 weeks old this morning and NO GO. I'm not doing the rice at this point b.c I'm not comfortable with it - but I DO want her to take pumped bottles of BM b.c I'm not comfortable BFing in public and with a high spirited 2 year old I can't see me chasing her when we go out while trying to BF my infant. So taking a pumped bottle is a must. When she was born she was giving a few bottles of formula the first due to hypogylcemia and the others due to hospital screw ups. I had a little trouble getting her to latch the 1st day-2 days but she has been BFing beautifully since then. It was recommended at the hospital b.c she didn't latch well after the bottles that I wait to pump and introduce the bottle to her when she was about 5 weeks (she will be 5 weeks on Sat).

I try to give her the bottle (my father and DH tried too) and she just screams and cries and chokes and won't drink or suck any of it. I should add she won't take a paci either. I tried both an adrini bottle and a Dr. Browns bottle which is what DD#1 loved.

Help!!! I need her to take a bottle but I really want her to have BM so I don't want to push it so hard that she will only take a bottle and not BF b.c I don't think I can exclusively pump and chase my 2 year old all day and I don't want to introduce formula yet (DD didn't get formula when we went out until 9 months when I had trouble pumping).

If you are still reading - Any suggestions????

Re: Refusing bottles...help introducing bottles from EBF moms...

Alexa was exclusively bottle fed teh first 7 weeks because she didn't latch, the bottle that was reccomended to us by our LC was the Playtex Nurser (drop ins) with the "natural latch" nipple. It's nice and wide and mimics the breast.

Have someone other then you give the bottle and you need to go into another room AWAY from where she is being fed. If she can smell you or hear you she won't want the bottle.

You need to try a little every day. Play around with it at first, try not to let her get to upset and frustrated with teh bottle or she will despise and reject it all together. THis way take a few days to a week or so but hang in there SHe'll get it.


ETA: ALexa is 4.5 months and STILL won't take a paci ANd while she will occasionally take a bottle, she will NEVER take it from me; only DH

Message edited 6/25/2009 12:23:34 PM.

Re: Refusing bottles...help introducing bottles from EBF moms...

i'm no help, i'm of the mindset "if they are hungry enough they will eat". with DD#1 i tried various different bottles, DD#2 didn't have a choice

Re: Refusing bottles...help introducing bottles from EBF moms...

The "old fashion" Gerber and Playtex latex nipple bottles have the same nipple that most hospitals use to FF infants. You might want to try those bottles.

We went through 4 different bottles before we found one that DD liked.

Re: Refusing bottles...help introducing bottles from EBF moms...

i just ordered the breastflow bottle that was recommended to me by a friend. it looks promising... i'll let you know how it goes... the website also has a bunch of good info and videos and the latch for the bottle seems very similar to the latch for bf.

i've also heard try to offer the bottle when they're not to hungry or upset at first so they don't associate anything negative to it...

Re: Refusing bottles...help introducing bottles from EBF moms...

Try a different bottle, different nipple. Have someone else feed her the bottle. Could the temp of the bottle be off. It should match the temp of the milk your DC is getting from you.

Re: Refusing bottles...help introducing bottles from EBF moms...