8 week old won’t take bottle

[Shellyrayx]

I have an 8 week old EBF DS who I need to get to take a bottle as I’ll be doing a few days work when he’s 3 months and back to work 3 days/week when he’s 4 months.

I’ve been pumping most days and trying some different bottles. He seems to like MAM best but still won’t properly suck or get much milk.

I have been consistent for the past week or so with MAM. Offering when he’s settled, not too hungry etc and am starting to lose hope.

Will he eventually get it?
Will I have to delay going back to work? (not really an option)

Any advice welcome. Thanks x

I can’t remember if it was the MAM or NUK bottles but my EBF DD took 45 mins to take less than 1oz. We’ve finally found she’s good with Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature bottles or Tescos own newborn ones.

She was tongue tied aswell which didn’t help

Maybe have a play round with brands/teats/flow etc

who is giving him the bottle? If it is you, he would probably prefer the boob. If it is someone else less milky smelling it might go better

When I give the bottle he tries to drink from it but doesn’t succeed.
When DH does it he just cries 🤷🏻‍♀️

I ended up having to leave the house for DH to feed the bottle. They can smell you and know you're in the house!!

he’ll smell me regardless as it’s my milk in the bottle 😂

I'm afraid my youngest refused the bottle and never did accept it, however I didn't try until he was older than that so I hope you will have some luck! I would keep trying because I waited for a few months and then my son refused all bottles and also all cups and beakers!

My DD got on better with an old fashioned type of bottle (like philips avent classic) rather than a breast shaped /natural type one, even though she was EBF.

Neither of mine ever took bottles but would take milk from an open cup (we used the Tommee Tippee beakers without the lid on). Randomly, my older daughter seemed to prefer it when the milk was cold from the fridge rather than it being warmed up, so it's worth trying that too!

After 3 long months of trying, the below worked for us:

• stop feeding on demand, move to a feeding schedule (we did every 3 hours) so he knows when next to expect/he wants his next feed. (I think this was the main game changer)
• pick the same time of day every day to give the bottle. Even when he takes it, keep giving it at that time every day
• sit him in a chair or similar, I.e. don't hold him like you do when BF, and sit opposite him, give eye contact and encouraging noises
• warm the milk and teat
• lansinoh teat

Thanks for this! How old was yours when you did this? I’m not sure mine will manage 3 hours between feeds. Maybe I could try every 2-3 hours as he’s only 8 weeks

@Shellyrayx he was about 4 months or just under. Yep I think 2 hours would work, as the principle is the same - baby is defo hungry, ready and expecting the next feed so is more likely to accept the bottle. So maybe wait a few days of doing your new feeding schedule before throwing the bottle into the mix.

What worked for us was Lansinoh bottles with the slowest flow teat, pick a night where it doesn’t matter hugely if it’s a bad night sleep wise then after his last feed before bed only offer a bottle when they wake. Continue only offering bottles until they are taking them well and then keep it up with at least one bottle a day. I found because it was night he was very sleepy and happy to take the bottle after a little bit of fuss. Then the three or so bottles he had at night had got him used to feeding from them and so he was still happy to take them in the day. Good luck!

he’ll smell me regardless as it’s my milk in the bottle 😂

Well it was my milk too. We tried every different test and the only thing that worked was me going down the road

I tried every single day for 2 months+ for her to learn if. Size 0 teats, heating the milk, feeds every 4 hours (if age appropriate)

We had a breakthrough yesterday! He had a 2+ hour nap and I had a warm Avent bottle ready to go. No time to think he just woke and took the bottle! Drank nearly the whole thing. I was in disbelief. Thanks everyone for your tips

@Shellyrayx amazing! I know the feeling of relief when it happens! Keep it up and offer a bottle everyday so that hopefully baby doesn't reject it again.