Bottle refusal

[Gruzzlebub]

I am breastfeeding my little guy - demand feeding - but wanted to introduce a bottle so that (1) I get to go out for longer than 2 hours without him (yes, he feeds 2 to 3 hourly and is 6 months!) (2) Hubby can feed him.

Anyway he hates the bottle. Won't even let it past his lips. He will take the dummy happily though. He is getting interested in solids too. Has anyone had success in introducing a bottle as well as breast feeding?

Thanks in advance.

[Mojogal]

I would love to hear some advice on this one too. Our breastfed bubba refused bottles too, after about 2 months of age. She went straight to a cup after breastfeeding, but it was a LONG wait! Any advice for next time?

[the_queen]

Nope, mine is the same :D I'm trying to introduce him to the sippy cup, and to a plastic spoon, in preparation for solids. I put some breastmilk in the sippy cup. He drank it, but was giving me this really betrayed look, like he was saying "how DARE you! This is not how I want to drink my bitty!!" :laughing:

He had some EBM in a bottle a couple of times when he was younger - he hated it at first but once the milk was in his mouth he was alright. Husband kinda let it drip into his mouth, rather than putting the teat in his mouth - then when he realised it was his bitty he was half-happy to drink from the bottle :laughing:

What kind of dummy does he have? If it's a brand that also do teats, try that brand (ie if it's Avent, use Avent bottles). Or, would he take it from a sippy cup? Maybe a bottle with a sippy cup attachment - I know Avent have a sippy attachment thingo, not sure about other brands.

There is a bottle shaped like a boobie called The Breastbottle (http://www.babysupermall.com/main/products/adi/adi42443.html)

[the_queen]

Oh, and if it makes you feel better, my boy feeds about that often too. :)

[Seekrit]

Cobey has only taken a bottle from a friend, in her house, of freshly pumped milk, when I was out of the room. He hasn't taken anything from my husband, and certainly nothing from me!

I tried him on an avent cup thingie, nope, doesn't like that. My next try is a tommee tippee cup that works on pressure application, rather than suck. He might like that better (?) I think it's like a cup I've noticed American boob nazis recommending...

[Gruzzlebub]

Thanks for the replies - I'm glad it's not just me!! We had a horror night last night - feeding 1 and 1/2 to 2 hourly - it's killing me.

[SilverStarfish]

It took Sarah a while to get the hang of bottles. She wanted Boob, and boob only! We also tried a few different teats and found the pidgeon perstaltic ones to be the best for her.

For us it was just time and persistance that got her to enjoy the bottle.

Now she can slam down a full 240ml of EBM in about 3 minutes flat. I kind of look at her and go "Hey, slow down there! Do you know how much effort I put into making that for you!!?? The least you could do is pretend to enjoy it!"