My Baby Is Refusing The Bottle

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My Baby Is Refusing The Bottle

My son has been breastfed from the 1st day that he was taken off of being NPO. He spent 10 days in the NICU and it was so hard to get him to feed but he got the hang of it.

So at about 2 months of age I started offering the bottle with breast milk. He took to it fine with no problems. I work nights and go to school.

So at about 6 months he stopped taking the bottle for my mother.

We gave baby food for this feeding. But during this period he was still taking the bottle for my husband at bedtime since I was at work.

Then about 4 weeks ago which makes him 8 months he stopped even taking the bottle for my husband. We have tried several different bottles, cups, baby food, juices and med. droppers.

On the days that I am working he is only getting 15 oz of breast milk along with two severings of baby food twice a day. I am stuck and all he wants is the breast.

His weight is okay on the low side but, he was born at 34 weeks. I worry about brain development and his immune system since RSV season is coming up.

I don't have a clue what else to do but I have to work my 3 days a week and they have to be 12 hr.. Like I said I am also in nursing school.

Should I contact the doc. about this and what should I do?

Find answers and comments below.

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Comments for
My Baby Is Refusing The Bottle

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Nov 01, 2008

Part One of Worried about Feeding
by: Baby Help Line

Hi,

Congratulations on perservering with breast feeding, a prem baby is not an easy start and you have done really well.

My goodness you are one busy woman, I can't imagine how you are finding time to work 12 hour shifts, study and look after a baby. Thank goodness you have great support with your husband and your Mother.

You are on the right track trying to keep him on breast milk to boost his immune system and giving him the best nutrients. I actually think your little boy knows exactly what he wants - his mother! However it isn't just the milk he is wanting it is the closeness with you. It is a shame he is refusing a bottle with his Father, as that is the next best option, and of course he is obviously very bonded with your Mom.

I don't want you to feel guilty in any way, you have enough pressure and stress, but I will just put the question out - is there any way you can restructure your life for a few more months? His baby years will not last very long, and prem babies usually are a bit more high maintainence.

Is there are any creative ways you can think of to squeeze in an extra feed time with him, could your Mother meet you at work in your break for instance?

I'm going to have to post this in two sections - it won't all fit on one post! So check for part two!

Annie Desantis

Nov 01, 2008

Part Two Worry about Feeding
by: Baby Help Line

The other important thing, is for you all to relax! If feed times have become a battle with Grandma and Dad, then he is going to get more stressed and more needy for you. And if you are worried about him he is going to pick up on that too. If his weight isn't dropping then I don't think you need to worry about him in that regard.

Keep expressing your milk, even if he isn't taking it in a bottle. That will keep your supply up and so when he does feed you will have plenty of milk. You can also mix your milk in with his food, in the cereal, the mashed veges, even with stewed fruit. That way he is getting a little more. You can even freeze it with a stick and he can have a Mommy ice block to play with!

The other thing I would ask you, is how you are managing the level of stress you must be under. If you are coming home exhausted and drained and still trying to find time and energy for your baby and husband then you will be running on empty and your baby will know it. That then sets up a cycle of his needing you more, you feeling stressed and frustrated, and no-one else being able to fill his needs. If you are relaxed as possible and just enjoying him then it will be a domino effect. The same goes with your husband and Mother. If they just enjoy the time with him, and don't worry about how much he is eating, he will make up for it when you get home. It won't last forever, as he gets older and more independant he will eat more solids and be less reliant on you.

Something else your husband could try: (I won't go so far as suggest your Mother does this!) Prem babies usually need far more body contact than full term (and all new-born babies need body contact) Skin to skin contact is far more soothing and comforting. When he is feeding with you he feels your skin and hears your heartbeat. Have your husband take his shirt off and your son's stretch and grow and just cuddle up with him under a blanket. When baby is sleepy and relaxed, He may be able to slip a bottle into his mouth. But don't perserve if baby is not interested. Just cuddling and keeping him close will help enormously.

You are doing a great job, just be sure to have time to enjoy your lovely boy!

Annie Desantis

May 25, 2009

Need advice as well
by: Anonymous

Good afternoon,

My 5 month old granddaughter is on Enfamil Ease (I think that's the name of it). She tends to be gassy, so her pediatrician suggested this. She has been on this brand since weened at 1 month. My daughter tried breastfeeding, but was not able to continue. The baby has taken nicely to the formula with very little spitting up and no other apparent digestive problems. For about the last few weeks, when it is time for her to eat, she struggles and screams when the bottle is introduced to her. We have to try all kinds of tricks for her to latch on and even finish 6 ounces. And when she does latch on, she pushes the bottle out of her mouth 3 or 4 times during the feeding and cries. Any advice?

Thanks,

Disgruntled Granny aka Janice Raymond

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