help with bottle feding

[k&Hmum]

ok here's the thing, im starting work in 4 weeks and i need to get DD off the breast and onto the bottle but she just wont drink from a bottle, ive been trying and trying but all she does is spit it out and get hysterical till i put her on the boob.

my milk is starting to dry up so she isnt getting enough to eat, thats another reason why i need her on the bottle. Also she will not sleep at night or during the day. day time i put her down and 5 - 10 mins later she is awake and she is really only having the one daytime sleep no matter what i try. at night she will sleep about a half hour then wakes up screaming till i get into bed with her. she refuses to sleep in the cot.

She used the breast to suck herself to sleep even when she isnt hungry and she wakes at least 5 times a night and has to feed to get back to sleep or she will just scream.

I dont know what to do because i will be working nights and DF will be looking after her and he starts work early so he will need to get some sleep also but he cant sleep with her because he is a heavy sleeper and would probably roll onto her without realizing.

I just want my happy full bellied sleeper back.

[Taylors_mum]

You Poor Thing :hugs:

I would try and get her to sleep through the night before you worried to much about her not sleeping during the day.

Are you giving her Breast milk in the bottle or fomula?? There are so many different teats on the market it could possibly be that she just doesnt like the one you are trying to feed her with. Maybe its worth trying a few different types. I have heard Pidgeon (s/p) is really good for weaning. Dont forget you can buy the different flows in the teats, maybe she needs one that is faster/slower.

As for sleeping on her own maybe you could try putting something close to her that smells like you... give her the pillow you sleep on or a peice of clothing.

Does she have a dummy?? maybe you can give her a dummy to settle her during the night??

Im sure you will find something that will work for you. Let us know how things go :hugs:

[Goosie22]

Hi,
Just a question firstly how old is your baby? What makes you think your milk is starting to dry up?
G:)

[veve]

hey hon

sorry you are having so much trouble feeding Hailey at the moment- :hugs:

i have heaps and heaps of different teats and bottles - I'm happy to sterilise them if you want to have a look and try a few different things with her...

call me if you want to catch up and brainstorm for options

xx

[jkate]

As Taylors mum said try different teats, and maybe try the milk at different temps. Aden at first liked it really warm, where Travis doesnt care amount the temp but loves the cheap fast flowing ones :smiliedance:. Best of Luck :hugs:

[misskittyfantastico]

You poor thing, it doesn't sound like you're having much fun ATM:(
My DD gets a bottle every so often....we use EBM (expressing would probably help boost your supply too) and DH gives her the bottle, she wouldn't take one from me cos I think she reckons I can do better:laughing:
As the other girls suggested, play around with different teats and bottles
Good Luck with it all:)

[kuz78au]

Hi there,
The pidgeon teats (they are called prosthetic or something similar?) are the ones the LC's recommend as they are shaped closely to a woman's nipple. This might help. Sometimes you have to invest in different teats until they find the right one. Also maybe try a dummy to soothe instead of the breast? (not meaning to offend, only if you are open to that of course)!

Good luck! :hugs:

[meme]

sometimes there isn't an easy way to do things and you may have to prepare yourself for some crying as you gently try to introduce your new routines.

have you considered breastfeeding while you are home and using bottles the rest of the time? it sounds like your bubs loves her breastmilk and her special cuddles with you. because breastmilk works on the supply and demand system, those frequent feeds will probably boost your supply.

you could have your partner offer bottle feeds while youare not there. i'm not sure how old your bubs is but if you are away at night she *may * be able to wait it out and just breastfeed when youare home again? my bubs was not fond of the bottle but does go to care one day a week. on that day she has water some solids and about 2- 50ml drinks of ebm in a bottle. the first weeks she wouldn't have the bottle and i would go and feed her but they just kept offerring and now she does, but she also has an extra big feed when i pick her up.

there are lots of options for encouraging babies to sleep. i hope you find something that suits you.