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Infant feeding

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Help 5month old bf will not take bottle and I need to leave her for a hole day!

10 replies

Elodiesmummy · 24/06/2013 21:49

My baby is 5months and I'm fully bf her. On Monday I have to leave her with my mum all day. I've tried to feed her from the bottle and she will not take it, I've tried different ones but none of them seem to be working, she also will not take a dummy so think it might be 'plastic techture' she does not like. Also as it is alway just me and her (her dad works away) she dose not like leaving me ( leave her with my mum to pop to the shop) she will scream, and work herself up and will only stop when I'm able to hold her. Which I understand as its alway just been me and her 24/7 and I've not left her ;only when she was a few weeks old for 3hours. I don't no if I'm going to be able to leave her on Monday as I no how distressed she gets with out me. Please help Sad!!!

OP posts:
AndHarry · 24/06/2013 22:17

I wouldn't leave her this time, she's too little IMO.

AndHarry · 24/06/2013 22:19

Being more helpful, it will be easier to do once she's weaning. As you will presumably need to leave her at some point I'd focus on getting her used to spending time with your mum and using a cup or bottle.

chickensaladagain · 24/06/2013 22:22

Has someone other than you tried her with a bottle?

I had to return work when dd was 12 weeks as mat leave was shorter way back when

I spent 3 frustrating weeks trying millions of different bottles but she would scream blue murder

One of the other mums from my baby group tried -got it first try

They can smell you and associate you with a breast feed where they also get comfort so bottle refusal is understandable

Bumpstarter · 24/06/2013 22:28

Oh dear, this is really hard for you, isn't it! I mean you are trying to do your best, but the occasion enviably arises when you need to be elsewhere.

With regards to the bottles, I had the exact same experience, and it was absolutely fine... Baby refused bottle from me, but Baby took bottle no problem once she realised i wasn't there, and that was all she was getting. I did, however try zillions of different teat and found the fast flow ones worked best.

Leaving a crying baby is awfully difficult. Does your mum have nerves of steel? Can you trust her completely to just keep going, and do what needs to be done to keep baby safe?

It's going to happen eventually.... It might be horrid, but if you have to do it, just know that it will not do baby any long term damage, and will be part of her learning to be looked after by others.

Elodiesmummy · 25/06/2013 09:42

My mum has tried her with a bottle with no luck,but may just keep trying. Do you think I should see if she will take baby rise!? She was born 15th January so not far off 6months. My mum has had four kids of her own so I know 100% she will be more then in capable hands. I may be going to baby group soon, so ill take a bottle and see if one of the mums can feed her. is it best to alway try my milk, or i have cartons!? Thank you all for your advise.

OP posts:
Bumpstarter · 25/06/2013 20:27

Hi,

I think it would be easier for baby to take bottle if you are out of the room, especially the first time. If she is very upset, I can't see baby rice being easier than a bottle. And it is really a personal choice about what type of milk to use when giving a bottle. It's not a great idea to supplement with formula in the early stages because it can reduce supply. But as you are well established and looking at weaning in the near future it probably won't affect supply significantly. However formula does not taste like breast milk, so it is yet another variable to add into the mix of 'why won't she take the bottle!'

She will be fine.... Eventually!

SpooMoo · 25/06/2013 20:32

If you've only a week to go then it might not be enough time to be sure she'll take the bottle.

Can your mum bring the baby to where you are for feeds? I went to a 3 day training course when my baby was 5mo ebf, I fed baby in the coffee breaks (DH did childcare!).

Bumpstarter · 25/06/2013 20:53

With respect, spoo, it sounds like there would be a lot of screaming going on, as this baby is very clingy to mum. That will not allow op to focus on whatever she is doing at this event.

You can be sure she will take the bottle when she is hungry enough.

adagio · 25/06/2013 21:00

My baby is a month older than your's. She detests bottles.

At just under six months DH had her for three full days while I was on a course. We found that when she was hungry enough she would take a few ounces, but nowhere near what I imagine she gets off me (we are talking she had about 3oz over 8 hours each day, whereas the formula cartons indicate that babies that age are usually on about 7oz 6 times a day?).

She survived, but was very pleased to see me on my arrival home!

Out of the bottles, He had most success with a Breastflow bottle (amazon) as recommended by SIL. Less success with Medela Calma and mediocre success with an Aveda bottle.

We also (on day 2) got a Doidy cup from John Lewis (only place in driving distance which stocked them!) which although slow/messy, worked much better. She drank water and milk from it, and still has her water from it.

We also used a tommee tippee sippy cup (the cheap ones where you tip it up and water falls out of the holes) for water - the cups where you have to suck just were not working for her (she didn't suck).

She also, on the days he had her, demolished those pouches of food you can get - she doesn't seem to be at all bothered for food now I am back with her all the time, she just plays around with it and eats a little bit (which is fine). She doesn't really like bland things so cereal, baby rice etc is all too boring. Banana, pouch of pork and apple casserole (mashed, says its for 7m+ on the pack) went down a storm, apparently.

She no longer likes my loving prepared bland vegetable purees though!!

My HV suggested I start weaning a bit early, due to the course. Have you spoken to your HV?

Make sure you express too to keep your supply up and for comfort (I expressed mid morning and at lunch each day)

Sorry for length

YokoUhOh · 25/06/2013 21:04

I was in exactly the same position when DS was 5mo.

Left him with mum and he took the bottle of EBM no problem (he'd never, ever previously managed a bottle). I'd also left a sippy cup, and I think sips from a normal cup would have been fine.

Give her an extra-big feed before you go, and she'll tank up on boob when you get back :)

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