Baby on Bottle Strike - Seeking Advice

Kelly · 01-07-2004, 09:26 PM

Maybe there are some other parents out there who have been through a "bottle-strike" with a baby and can help us out.

Macey is exclusively breastfed and has been since day one. We didn't attempt to introduce bottles before she was a month old because we were told by the Lactation Consultant that this could cause "confusion" in going back and forth. Well, she rejected them from that point forward and still has no interest in taking one. I don't mind it at all, really, but it would be nice if she would take a bottle sometimes. She recently started Parents Morning Out at our church two mornings a week and she can't stay the whole time because of her feeding schedule. That would be an instance where taking a bottle would be beneficial for her.

So, have any of you been through the same thing? What did you do to remedy the situation? Any advice??

Peace,
Kelly

**Role Modlin** · 01-08-2004, 06:13 AM

Both of ours were partially breast-fed and partially bottle-fed, so I really don't have the answer for you on this one. We were fortunate that our boys weren't real peculiar in this area. Now that they're 7 and 3, that's a different story altogether.

PianoMan · 01-08-2004, 12:37 PM

I was like that when I was a baby, and I went until long after I was supposed to start eating solid foods. (I was a pain, what can I say

)

Basically, my parents tried to get me to eat just about everything, and my Dad finally suceeded with meat and potatoes. (typical guy

)

Using that story, I would have to say keep trying, and when Macey is ready, she will go for it. But i'm only 17, so take my advice at your own risk.

Gracie Love · 01-09-2004, 01:42 AM

How old is she? If she is around 9 months just forget the bottle and give her a sippy. Forget the bottle all together if you can.

My oldest breast fed until he was a year old he never had a bottle. He went from breast to sippy.

Ethan my youngest, different story, we were told to supplement the breast with formula because he wasn't gaining. ( it wasn't my fault it was a disease but that is a whole other story and pain) He didn't want it at first. The doctor said well give it to him. So I ask the nurse and she said have your husband try so he doesn't smell the milk. Doctor told me to refuse him the breast until he took the bottle.
After he finally took the bottle with in a week he would breast feed at all. I later found out that the formula actually cause more damamge to my son. Like I said long story with lots of pain.

I wouldn't suggest the way they told me. I would say if she doesn't want it don't force. But Around 9 months I would start giving her a sippy. It is okay. They say around 6 you can start a sippy. Because you never give juice in a bottle.

ThanksALatte · 01-12-2004, 09:58 PM

Hey... I'm not a parent, but I'm a nanny, does that count?

Anyway, "my" kids went through a stage where they wouldn't take the bottle at all...it was a matter of repeated introduction and trying out different nipple styles. (fortunately the mom was home during most of the feedings until they got used to the bottle) We ended up trying the bottle every feeding for a little bit and then she'd nurse them.
But again, if she's old enough, you can start a sippy cup.

Latte

**redbaron** · 01-21-2004, 03:22 PM

I was involved in a conversation recently that might help you...

My uncle just had his first (in his forties for petes sake) and they're having the same trouble with bottles. Basically, you have to have daddy give the bottle when mom's not in the room. The baby can tell the mother is around from smell (and touch, if she's holding them) and the baby would much rather have the real thing than a bottle. Try waiting until she's hungry and then give the baby to dad?

anyhow, YMMV, i'm not a parent (and hopefully won't be for a while)

Shekinah · 01-30-2004, 11:10 AM

Hi!

I feel for you!! My firstborn didn't want to breastfeed, he prefered the bottle since he got one at the hospital. As soon as my daughter was born, she is a different story...she latched on, and basically never let go... made my milk come in FAST!!!

She N E V E R wanted a bottle... B U T she was interested in the sippy cup when she was 6 -7 months old. My ex husband got her interested in the bottle though, and now she has a bad habit of the bottle. I would def. not try to introduce the bottle to her. Because then you will have to wean her from the bottle, and there really isn't a need to put them through that.

I would keep trying to get her to drink out of the sippy cup. I like Advent even though it's expensive but it's easier to suck out of... whereas some of the other brands are hard to drink.

I was able to wean my daughter shortly after she turned one...and it was a dream!! She didn't like it... but I did!!