Leaving breastfed bottle refusing 4 month old

[StrawberryLeaf]

I have an ebf 4 month old, breastfeeding has been very easy but she refuses a bottle.

I need to go to work next week for 4 hours (including my short drive) and leave her with my husband.

She's a settled, happy baby and we have demand fed so no real structure but I'd say she feeds roughly every 2 hours but sometimes goes up to 4 hours of we are out driving and she's sleeping.

Husband could just drive we around for 4 hours (the petrol....! ) but I was wondering if anyone has any tips for us, I was wondering if there were any cups that might be suitable for a 4 month old?

Thanks

The Toomee Tippee free flow one seems to be the one that most EBF babies take to as the ones with a valve need a suck that is similar to a bottle. They're only about £2 so worth a try.

Asked the HV yesterday a very similar thing as DD2 is the same she just chews it and forces it out with her tongue and she said to use a cup and even try an open top one as they will often lap at it just like a kitten.
Had a similar thing with DD1 and ended up leaving her with OH and mum for the day running up to returning to work so bottle was the only option, she screamed most of it and eventually gave in but not sure I fancy doing that again.

I use the tommee tippee closer to nature but give a slow to medium flow so baby doesn't get used to fast flow and get frustrated when bfing

I bought a 'born Free' bottle from Tk Maxx at the weekend, this is the first bottle my 3 month old had drunk from without protesting, that said most of the milk dribbled out.

Nurse advised me to use plastic shot glasses if dd continues to refuses a bottle as they are a good size to get into babies mouth

Also do you have any kind of sling? My baby the same age had a huge nap with DH the other day. If you feed her before you go this might be an option

I must get round to trying a bottle before I go back to work!

My first baby was happy with size 1 or 2 teats when I went back to work. I had a bit of a struggle with my second but found he liked the variflow ones with the x shaped hole.

No advice on what to use as mine were both bottle refusers when I went back to work and nothing helped. But what I would say based on my experience is don't stress about it. Both mine were six months and at the stage of having maybe a teaspoonful of baby rice or stewed apple which helped slightly but basically both went without a drink from 8 to 6 for 3 days in a row for two weeks before they finally gave in and they were fine. So if they won't drink they will be fine, although your DH will probably be glad to see you home!

I've just had a similar thing with DS. I have a hen do this weekend so have been expressing small amounts for a couple of weeks for DH to try giving him. It took quite a few attempts, but eventually he took it, and the last few times he easily took 4oz. So my advice would be to persevere. Keep offering and look on the kellymom website for advice. We use avent classic bottles but I'm not sure it makes that much difference tbh! Good luck!

I have similar, mine is 5m and will only take a bottle occasionally and only from me which defies the point!
Yesterday I left him for about 3h for the first time, fed just before I left and although he was offered bottle while I was away he declined until he had another feed when I got back!! On the plus side he was absolutely fine and had a decent nap. I figure if they get sufficiently hungry they will take a bottleZ

Try not to worry - even if she doesn't feed it's not going to do her any damage. After all, some young babies sleep many more than 4 hours overnight without a feed.

Your DH may have to deal with an irate baby for a while but if she's desperate for a feed then she'll take it from a bottle.

Just make sure you give her a good feed before you go.

I remember I once left my DH with 3oz of EBM and a syringe

Thanks so much for all the advice. It went really well and despite feeding in the day with me every couple of hours usually she happily went 4 hours and slept easily while out and about with her Dad. I fee her lots before I left then she fed again when I got back.

Now next time to go for a facial instead of to work...!

The first time I left my BF baby was to go for a facial and a back massage!!

DS was about 7 months and I was gone for over seven hours in total and my boobs were swelling up, lol. Lying face down on the massage table was not a comfortable experience!! :)