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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

How do I get my DS to take a bottle of expressed milk?

17 replies

supercherry · 23/04/2008 08:17

At 4-6 weeks he would take a bottle no problem but now (11wks) he gets really upset when I (or my partner) try to give him a bottle. I have tried a fast flow teat this morning but he just gets upset. I am using Tommee Tippee bottles. I use nipple shields so technically it shouldn't be that different a feeling in his mouth should it? I don't mind trying different bottles but it could end up costing me a fortune! I would really like him to have the odd BEM so I can have a rest occasionally. Any suggestions?

OP posts:
egypt · 23/04/2008 08:23

had the same problem. tried everything. in the end just time worked, a slow flow teat, (avent bottles) and patience. wait until you know he is really hungry, try it daily, in the end he will take it.....

ninedragons · 23/04/2008 08:30

If my DD is crying and refusing a bottle, I pop my nipple in her mouth until she stops crying, then whip it out straight away and replace it with the bottle. Your good old bait-and-switch move, really. She definitely prefers the TT bottles to the Aventi ones.

Original poster
supercherry · 23/04/2008 08:31

Oh ok then I will just keep trying- hopefully he will get the hang of it eventually! Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
supercherry · 23/04/2008 08:34

I tried that this morning- fed for a bit till he looked nice and chiled then popped in the bottle- he just goes stiff and red in the face and gets upset. Poor little thing! I hate to upset him but my MIL has offered to babysit for a few hrs the wknd and I would LOVE the break.

OP posts:
MrsBadger · 23/04/2008 08:56

dd would never, ever take a bottle from me - the lure of the boob is too strong - but takes one fine from DH or at nursery. Maybe MIL will have mroe success, or get DH to try?

Tank him up before you leave and you should be good for an hour or two anyway.

Original poster
supercherry · 23/04/2008 09:06

DH has tried, so has my sister but maybe MIL will have more success- fingers crossed. DS is feeding on demand and he seems to be a really hungry baby- sometimes seems like he's feeding all day. I hate the thought of leaving him if there is no way for my MIL to feed him. Having said that she would call me if he wouldn't settle but then it's not really having a break if I spend the whole time worrying about him is it?

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MrsTittleMouse · 23/04/2008 09:18

We had the same problem with DD. She took a bottle just fine, and then refused at just under 3 months. What ended up working was having DH waking up with her for the first feed of the morning (when she was most hungry) and taking her downstairs well away from me. DH was very determined about it. It still took about a week for her to take the bottle happily, but it was well worth it in the end.
She never did take a bottle from me, by the way, until she was 9 months and took it by accident when she was busy watching exciting other children playing around her.

Louise76 · 23/04/2008 14:27

We've been having the exact same problem but I would say persevere! He will take it in the end but it is horrible watching him get upset. You could try a Breastflow bottle (about £6 from Mothercare). My dd seemed to like these when she was about that age as she had to work harder to get the milk out, just like when she was breastfeeding. Good Luck!

Original poster
supercherry · 23/04/2008 15:56

Thanks all. Will post again in a week and let you know if he's accepting a bottle!

OP posts:
BouncingTurtle · 23/04/2008 16:25

Try warming the teat, see if that works. Worked with my boobaholic ds.
I just poor freshly boiled water over the top, and wait for it to cool a bit.

welshmum · 23/04/2008 16:27

I wrapped a bottle up in the dressing gown I usually bf'd him in and he went for it.
I remember advancing across the kitchen with a determined look in my eye....ah happy days...good luck

Liz79 · 23/04/2008 21:06

I am currently having the same trouble, 18.5 weeks. She refused a nuk teat today, I stopped prior to her getting upset, thought I'd just let her play with it a bit and get used to it. As I didn't want to waste the precious EBM I tipped it into a tommee tippee 4m+ cup and that was a little better but not brilliant. She kept turning her head and I kept chasing her mouth and tipping a bit in! At one point she was helping me hold it and bringing it to her mouth. I do think it came out a bit fast for her though. Will persevere with the cup, my MIL is taking me to see Dancing on Ice next week so DH and FIL will have to babysit. IF it doesn't work DD is coming in as far as the car park, being fed and then being taken back to in laws where we're staying.

Liz79 · 24/04/2008 20:11

Offered her the cup again today, seems to be getting there (slowly) Hope this works.

littlemum2 · 24/04/2008 21:30

I'm having the same problem with my little girl. She's 16 weeks. I just want to pop to the hairdressers safe in the knowledge that she'll not go hungry. Am trying Mam bottles at the moment. I'm just trying it everyday - I live in hope!

Original poster
supercherry · 01/05/2008 13:24

For anyone who's interested it turned out that DS did accept the EBM for my MIL. I was amazed! Since then he accepted it from my DP too. That's one less thing to worry about- my DS never fails to confuse me!

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jammi · 01/05/2008 14:08

This reply has been deleted

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Essie3 · 01/05/2008 14:18

Hugely interested - see my post on combining breast and bottle! This has helped a lot.

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