Normally keen breastfeeder will only take 1 oz of expressed milk from bottle

[Newcastle2013]

Hi my baby has been exclusively breastfed and is now 12 weeks old. I have started to express and offer him a bottle daily.

He wasn't keen on the bottle for the first couple of days but now takes it if offered by dad.

However, my 98th percentile baby who breastfeeds on both sides for 40mins every 2-3 hours won't take more than an ounce of expressed milk at a time.

Expressing one side for 5-10 mins gives me 3 ounces so I guess he is getting considerably more than this each breastfeed.

Any ideas about why he takes so little? And any advice on encouraging him to drink more?

It sounds like he just prefers breastfeeding rather than a bottle! My LO was exactly the same and wouldn't use a bottle properly until he was 9 months and then only when I was unavailable (I had to leave the house completely). Even then he would only take a small amount. Are you planning on stopping BF? Or just looking to have a rest for a few hours? Another option than a bottle might be to try cup feeding - a good HV should be able to show you how to do this - this worked well with mine when he refused the bottle and I was out!! Hope this helps

We've been giving a bottle of EBM since DD was 3 weeks. She's always been the same, fussing on the bottle. Not taking more than about 4oz tops. Recently (for various reasons) tried a bottle of formula instead and she scoffed it down! I'm wondering if my breast milk tastes odd in the bottle? this explains it better than I can! Might be worth trying the blanching?

Thanks guys. I am just trying to get him used to a bottle in case I need to leave him for a couple of hours. I think it is partly just preferring breastfeeding but the thing about the taste is also interesting. I will try formula. Ideally I would like him to take expressed breastmilk but if he takes formula then at least it gives me some peace of mind. I will speak to my HV regarding cup feeding at my next appointment.

Not sure if we have cracked it but he scoffed down 3oz of milk that i had literally judt expressed... So adds weight to the lipase theory...