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Behaviour/development

want to express but baby won't accept bottle

6 replies

Talou1 · 12/11/2010 15:05

Hi my d.s is 4 months and breast fed. she accepted a bottle up until about 2 months of age and then stopped, now she just pulls away, spits the milk out or chews the teat. I would really like to express so that my hubby can help with the feeds. Any ideas how I can get her to take the bottle? My d.h usually tries so she can't try to get at my boobs but it's not working! Cheers.

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HollyBollyBooBoo · 12/11/2010 17:33

So tricky when they stop accepting a bottle. Maybe try someone else feeding him so that he can't smell you, try making the milk warmer and hold it upside down for a few seconds so that the milk warms the teat slightly so it's more similar in temperature to your nipple.

It's controversial but some people say that if you do not give them an alternative (i.e breast) then when DS is hungry enough he will go back to accepting the bottle. When he does accept it again make sure it's a regular occurance as even going for a couple of days without giving a bottle can lead to him rejecting it again.

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Octaviapink · 12/11/2010 17:55

If she hasn't accepted a bottle for 2 months then I think you may be on a losing wicket! Our dd had a bottle of breastmilk every night from DH from about 4 weeks but stopped accepting it when she was about 5 months and that was that. One thing to try may be to go out, so you're nowhere near when the bottle is tried. But it may be no use.

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Talou1 · 12/11/2010 18:24

Cheers for your comments. Stubborn lttle things these babies aren't they!

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Jayfer · 13/11/2010 20:37

Do you do a night feed? We offered our DS a bottle in the middle of the day (thinking it was easier than struggling it at night)and he refused and screamed blue murder. My sis then suggested 'sneaking up' on him at night time. When we would wake him for his late feed we offered him the bottle and as he was half asleep he took it. I let my hubbie do it so DS couldn't smell me and I got an early night - fab!

Worth a try?

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fireblademum · 14/11/2010 22:18

my dd never took a bottle if i was in the house.
i worried myself sick as i had to return to work, and every time i tried she screamed and refused. did a trial run with me out of the house and her dad/ grandparents feeding her and she was fine.
good luck

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Talou1 · 15/11/2010 15:50

hi thanks all. jayfer, i do feed at night and she has refused but i will try the waking up approach. thanks.