Bottle rejection

[bollychampers]

My 17 week old breast fed baby has been happily taking one bottle a day when I am out and about (either formula or express milk), until two weeks ago. He has refused it since then and will not tolerate it. I have tried different types, temperatures, bottles, teats, sitting positions, time of day...you name it! He occassionally takes 30ml and then spits the teat out and starts screaming, only calming down when he gets the breast. I sat it out with him for over 6 hours today and still he wouldn't take it, so I ended up feeding him out of sheer guilt!

I am going back to work shortly so really need to get him back onto the bottle. Anyone had the same problem and if so, any advice?

Many thanks in anticipation.

Bollychampers x

This problem arises many times on this forum and the general advice usually is:

1. Get someone else to give him a bottle
2. Try a cup instead (quite normal for a BF baby to take a cup instead)
3. Persist with the bottle - offering when he is not very hungry and not tired.
4. Don't pressure him to finish a bottle
5. Remember a baby won't starve himself. If he still rejects it when you go to work then he will either reverse cycle (take more milk when you're home) or decide to take the bottle. Remember to offer him other dairy foods during the day if he chooses to reverse cycle (advice from my HV) obviously subject to your child not being intolerant to dairy.

My DD did this and she chose to reverse cycle - works for us as I don't need to express. Although she has yoghurts and formula on her weetabix.
HTH - good luck.