Bottle refused - what would you do?

[Cantstopsmiling37]

My 11week old refuses to drink from a bottle. I know perseverance is the only way and with time hopefully she'll manage.

However tomorrow is my eldest DD is due to visit her new school for the first time from 9.30-11.30 bringing a parent with her. She really wants me to go, I don't want to bring baby as she's still really fussy and will take up too much of my attention.

So my choice is to leave baby with OH, hopefully she'd consent to be fed at 9 before I go and last til I get back at 11.45 or to persuade DD1 that she should take her Dad instead, which will be fine but she'll be disappointed.

I just feel that DD1 (and DS but he's not the issue here) is missing out because of baby generally and this is just another example. But not sure I can leave DD2 knowing she'll probably end up screaming.

What would you do?

[Daisyandbabies]

I'd go to Home & Bargain and get the cheapest bottle they sell, think it has an animal picture on it? Has a big hole in the teat and the milk just pours straight out if you hold it upside down.
I had to be hospitalised for 2 days when my exclusively bfed was 4 months and she had never tried a bottle. Refused all others and this was a last resort before syringing expressed milk into her mouth.
She chewed on the teat and got enough milk out to get through the 2 days.

I've actually just re read your post, as presumed you would be gone all day. You are gone barely any time at all...give her a big feed before you go and don't worry about it! Being without milk for 3 hours isn't going to harm her, so what if she cries! You have to put your other child first on this occasion, imo

[Cantstopsmiling37]

You are right! I reread my own post and realised it isnt an isssue, you've said exactly what id say to someone else.
I've experimented today with feeding her at 8.45 and she's still fine now at 11.40 so there isn't an issue. The only slight problem is that if she isn't ready to feed before I go she just won't, fussy madam!
But like you said even if this is the case she'll be fine, a bit hungry but that will be easily rectified when I get home and she won't remember even if she cries for 2.5hra, whereas my 4yr old will remember this and needs and wants her mummy to support her in this first big step!

Thank you for the realism (and tip on bottles!)

[minipie]

At 11 weeks she can manage for 2 hours without a feed. Honestly. Feed her before and even if it's not a huge feed it will be enough to see her through. Go.

[minipie]

Cross posted

[Cantstopsmiling37]

Thanks minipie

[Florentina27]

Of she will be truly hungry she might just take the bottle. A lot of the times they will take it from someone else and not from you. my DD took special disgusting formula from nursery after I tried for 2 months beforehand. Then she took from her dad. Took her another month until she for it from me as I'm the one with the boob so I wasn't allowed lol. Good luck, she'll be fine