(cross posted in my BF forum post, but included here for an update)
Success! She has taken about 5 ounces and finally figured out what all the fuss was about.
I want to clarify that we weren't forcing the bottle on her and were doing are best to keep this whole situation calm and comfortable. She was crying because she was hungry and frustrated - but she would wake up screaming without warning at other times before we had even started introducing the bottle. She just wants when she wants it, sometimes without any warning!
It was stressful for everyone involved, but she had to learn that milk comes from other sources besides boob. We had been introducing the bottle for several days now, just allowing her to feel the nipple when she was calm and tired. She didn't like it in her mouth and would fuss a little bit, but we always removed the nipple if she became upset. We definitely didn't want her to have negative associations.
I know no one wants to have the baby be hungry and upset, but if we didn't do it today we would have to do it Wednesday when there would not have been any other options since I have to go back to work. At least starting today when I was home would allow me to nurse if she ever became too hysterical to console.
Daddy did a WONDERFUL job all afternoon of swaddling, bouncing and comforting her to sleep, and then gently introducing the bottle when she was drowsy. She would mouth the nipple a bit and, finally, at one point started sucking in her sleep. When she finally got some milk her eyes flew open like - wow! there's food here! She then guzzled a couple ounces in as many minutes.
We had success with a tiny latex nipple from the cheapest bottle you can buy - $1.50 contraption that looks more like a doll bottle than the real thing. I'm hoping she doesn't learn bad latching habits from this set up. However, this is a huge step in the right direction, so we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
and you're right i probably jinxed myself!
so handsome!!!
Havent really been doing much but eat less junk lately. (even though im currently eating milano raspberry chocolate cookies) Im 2lbs under my start weight when I got pregnant. Now 50lbs to go. Cannot wait for my 6 weeks so I can start back up on my treadmill.
I guess I don't have much to lose but its kind of frustrating.
