5 month old is refusing bottle...i'm exhausted ,need help!

5 replies

ceebs · 08/02/2006 10:05

My ds is just 21 weeks old and is bf.I am trying to do a part wean as i'm feeling worn out and can't go out as he screams to be fed.I live in Australia and i think have tried every bottle and teat on the market.Thing is my ds did take the occasional bottle for me up to about a week ago.Has anybody had the same experiance?.Will it resolve itself?.Have tried different formulas also.Any advice welcome. Thanks.

OP posts:

Smellen · 08/02/2006 10:18

Have you tried feeding him direct from a cup? When ours was first born and I was too engorged for him to get a good latch, the MW suggested expressing the 'top' of the milk and giving it too him out of the bottle top (which is cup shaped). He guzzled it down (although a fair bit dribbled down his tiny chin).

When you say part-wean, do you mean moving him onto formula or starting some solids? There is loads of stuff on kellymom.com (an excellent breastfeeding site with tons of advice and research links) about weaning, and here the advice is to wean after 6 months, but most of my bf-ing friends weaned their kids earlier (though no earlier than 4) complementing breastmilk with babyrice and then some veg purees. There is research that suggests that their guts aren't ready for solids before 6 months, but I guess when people are faced with screaming hungry babies, they need to take a pragmatic position. (I know I will have to wean ours at 5 months as I have to be back at work at 6, and due to the nature of the job will be unable to express at work).

Anyway, that's a bit of an aside. From what others have advised, you might also try getting someone else to give him the bottle. Hope things work out for you. I feel for you being "worn out" as I'm there myself. All the best.

Original poster

ceebs · 08/02/2006 10:40

Hi Smellen , thanks for your prompt reply !. I should be a bit clearer . I have expressed and continue to do so ,it doesn't seem to matter if it's bm or form he still refuses .The reason for the occasional form was just to help with the fatigue . I really would like it if i could just drop one feed a day . I don't mind if it's form or bm once he takes it and i can have a breather. I have tried solids but he doesn't seem ready for it yet.
So really don't want to completly wean just need a little bit of a break. (Bubs is still feeding twice overnight)

OP posts:

lellybel · 08/02/2006 20:43

Ceebs - Have to agree with smellen I found the cap from a bottle really good although ds was about 11 weeks at the time. Same thing I was knackered as ds had a really bad cold and was feeding constantly. We lost a bit down his chin but he kind of lapped it up with his tongue. I was quite amazed as I had heard of this way of giving ebm or formula but didn't think it would work - i don't even know why I tried it, I was probably in a dream ! HTH

Mfer · 09/02/2006 12:43

Dear Ceebs
Poor you I do sympathis - I hear this all the time - look at my other posts I always recommend the Playtex Nurser Systems for reluctant bottle feeders, because they have a latex teat which is really soft and breast shaped with a ridge which encourages a natural latch on and sucking action plus the baby can vary the flow so all very similar to feeding off you. I am not sure whether they sell in Australia but you could try their UK office 01954 719899 and their website www.infantcaredirect.co.uk to ask advice and see if they will ship out there. worth a try.....

LOOBYLOU2 · 09/02/2006 13:36

I had exactly the same problem - just before I went back to work
I found the horrible brown teats from Boots the best

Flip