DS 3.5 months suddenly unable/unwilling to take bottle or dummy?

[theduchesse]

DS is ebf and has had a bottle or two of expressed milk every week from about 3 weeks old to 3 months with no problems. He also took a dummy from about 2 months, wasn't great at it, it often needed to be held in for him but he could at times suck correctly to keep it in his mouth.

On xmas day DS suddenly completely refused the bottle of ebm. For the next few days he would scream at the sight of one. He is now happy to have a bottle in his mouth but just shifts the teat around to the sides of his mouth and after 5 minutes will have only drunk about 10mls. From the same time he also no longer takes a dummy and pushes it back out constantly or moves it to the side of his mouth.

I really wanted to start mixed feeding and am going back to work soon and need him to take a bottle. I have read many bottle refuser threads and tried different teats, offering it at his happiest time and his hungriest time. I don't know what to do. Please help.

Teething? Maybe caught him on a bad day with painful gums and he is bright enough to work out that a teat/dummy can be painful. Nipples are much more squidgy.

Thanks sneezecakesmum. I think you're probably right. Damn, I was really hoping the answer would be something that came with a magical solution :). It's been 3 weeks now :(

It could be he has gone off bottles? It is very common if you search on this board. You will probably find his suckle reflex is gone as well. (If you put a finger touching his upper palate he will now bite but not suck, right)? It means previously when you stick a bottle or dummy in his mouth he can't help but suckle it.

Have you tried breastflow or NUK latex brown teats?

When are you going back to work? It might be the nursery or cm can get him back on a bottle. Mine went back on it at 7mo. My nanny friend told me most baby won't starve themselves. She has only ever had one baby that she has to spoonfed milk. All the others learn to take a bottle with her quickly.

2-3 months is often the time when mixed feeding babies decide what they want! Bottles and boobs are completely different sucking techniques and once theyve settled on their choice you can forget ever giving bottles or dummies. By all means try though as there are a few exceptions.

My DD thought dummies were hilarious for playing with but no way would tempt her from her 'titty'. Stupidly thought I could wean her away from bf and settle her with a dummy!

If all attempts with bottles fail, try soft teat like cups with handles both sides she may take to them. (4 mo upwards I think)

Thanks for your replies, they have been very helpful. I have tried the NUK teats but unfortunately no success. I am going back to work in 2 months but am going on holiday to Australia tomorrow (yay) and was really hoping to be able to have him babysat once or twice while I was there. Also DS will be looked after by my DH when I return to work so no CM with experience to help us 'convert' him :)

Great idea about the cups. I had heard the idea before but I think my brain was stuck in a 'must take bottle' rut and didn't really consider that option. I think that is my next plan :)

Hate to say this OneLittle but I was talking to a mum recently who had gone cold turkey with the bfing at 6 months, and the baby had spent 3 days drinking virtually nothing and was in the early stages of clinical dehydration.

Guess who won that round of bottle vs breast!