Getting bf baby to bottle feed

[Izzie74]

Trying to get to take bottle, but I've got a screamer. It's the only time she gets to this level, and even the sight of the bottle today set her off. I had to go and have a cry myself. I'm going back to work in three weeks which is guilt inducing enough, but now worrying she won't eat when I'm gone. She's usually such a happy lovely baby and I'm worried I'm damaging her psychologically.

Top tips and reassurances please

 

[AK89]

Aww I'm right there with you only a couple of months further on.. my DD was great with the bottle until she hit about 2.5 months. Since then she'll just take it or leave it. Sometimes she fusses, sometimes she plays with it, others it's like she's just not interested at all. She'll only take it if she's really hungry, and sometimes not even then

When did you start trying her with it? Which bottles do you use? Is it you that is feeding her with it? Sometimes they refuse it from mum 'cause they know where the good stuff is! Could you try leaving your OH to it?

I know how stressful it can be in the first few months when they won't take a bottle. You're completely indispensable aren't you! You'll be weaning soon enough

 

[Izzie74]

I've had two others try. We've been going a week now. Tried Aventa and Tommy Tippy closer to nature. Closer my eye! Also tried sippy cup. Worried she won't eat at all while I'm at work, and will s ream with hunger til I get home. On the flip side, if I'm not around, she may take it for my mum with no issues. This is so tough...

 

[mum140381]

hugs some of mine have been like this could you take a little longer on mat leave i found at about 8 months it was easier if not then she will have it when you are not there might take a few days of persistence and crying though good luck hun x

 

[lisaalove]

It just took me not being around for mine to take it

 

[Izzie74]

Well after 8 days of screaming over the bottle, the last three have gone well. She has taken 40, then 60 mls with no crying. We're taking one day at a time. I started drinking out of a water bottle and she was fascinated watching me. I also made the milk warmer than I had been. I started giving it to her again instead of DH. Not sure which thing was the clincher or whether it was just persistence, but so far so good.

 

[AK89]

Aw that's good! Glad it's working for you..

Well I had my first day back at work today! I left a bottle of EBM for her but she didn't take it :/ but luckily she's at the stage now where she can just make up for it in solids and water. I'm only doing short shifts for a while til I get back on my feet so shouldn't be too bad.

When do you go back to work? How old will your LO be?

 

[Izzie74]

1st July, so two weeks to go. She happily takes bottle once a day, but still only takes 60ml at one go, so only lasts about an hour. At least I know she takes it, so I have 13 days left to try and increase. Next week we will stay with my parents so that she can get used to mum giving it to her. Feeling better about it now.

 

[cjwn]

I had a bottle refuser, so I feel your pain. No advice really, sorry, we just persisted with different kinds of bottles, different kinds of formula at different temperatures and different people attempting to feed him with me there or out of the room. He eventually got used to it at about 5.5 months old and now he takes 3x7oz bottles a day inbetween meals with no fuss (he's 7 months). He only gets an early morning breastfeed and I offer him the boob if I can't settle him after a night waking.

 

[mum140381]

hope she is taking it a little easier now x

 

[Izzie74]

Wolfed it down today. If I'd managed to express more, I'm sure she would have taken it! Bit unsettled atm as we are at my parents house for a week. However sleeping and napping very well as so much going on. Some hysterical screaming, but not over the bottle, think over stimulation!