is it normal?

**silver_locket** · 16-01-2008 17:50

hello was just wondering if it's normal for a baby to not want a bottle feed anymore? i have a 4 n a half month old and i'd been breastfeeding him part time and feeding a bottle before going to bed and if we went out somewhere eg. shopping. but he's decided he only wants to drink from the breast, how can I change this, and is it a good idea to give him both anyway?. I have no problem breastfeeding, but would like more sleep than what i get if i'm feeding full time.

**nicoleE** · 16-01-2008 21:55

My 3 and a half month old started doing this a month or so ago!

I BF but was advised at 5 weeks that I should 'top up' with formula after BFding because she wasnt putting on enough weight. She took the bottle well and would take varying amounts after 20-30mins on the breast. Then what seemed to be all of a sudden she didnt seem to want to take the bottle anymore... i figured she just perhaps didnt need them anymore as she must have been now getting enough from me. Now however she wont take a bottle instead of a BF either which she had done before on occasion with little fuss if I had been out and she was being looked after. Problem is i have a wedding to attend this weekend about an hour from home! luckily i have been able to hire a cottage straight across the road from the reception so if all else fails i can pop over there (the inlaws are coming up to baby sit) and BF her.

I did read that at around 3 months they develop more of a fussiness for taste so this could be it... however she didnt take EBM very well either although allot better.

At the moment my plan is to express what i can and get her to once a day have EBM out of a bottle so she gets used to that again, then perhaps i can try formula again. at the moment im still offering the top up after most feeds even if she isnt drinking it. She is happy to have it in her mouth and just plays around with it and chews on the teat. (if i try to give it to her instead of a BF she screams).
My plan was to cut out offering the top ups and give her 1 bottle of formula a day so she keeps being used to it for when i need to go out etc... not going to plan so far!! (im about to post my own Qn on this topic to)

As for if its a good idea or not... well my Paed and Ob (who both recommended the top ups) said that given a month or two she will eventually reject the boob and prefer the bottle... well as you have just read she is doing the exact opposite!

**OJandMe** · 16-01-2008 22:04

Originally Posted by nicoleE

As for if its a good idea or not... well my Paed and Ob (who both recommended the top ups) said that given a month or two she will eventually reject the boob and prefer the bottle... well as you have just read she is doing the exact opposite!

Sorry, I know this is the bottlefeeding section...

but that statement just shocked me! Why would a paed and ob both say that like it's a GOOD thing.... Breastfeeding is best for baby... so I think it's a blessing that it's gone the other way for you.

I bottle feed, because I couldn't keep up a supply. And I'd give anything to be able to breastfeed again.

That being said, it is handy to have bubs accepting a bottle of EBM.

**nicoleE** · 16-01-2008 22:17

Oh, dont get me wrong, it is a good thing she isnt rejecting me. they just warned me that it will probably happen as she will eventually prefer the bottle as she gets more out with less effort.

**OJandMe** · 16-01-2008 22:20

she may or may not.

If you keep her on the slowest teat, eventually she'll be getting more out of you quicker than she will out of a bottle.

I keep Gabby on the slowest teat, and he takes about 25-35 mins to drink a bottle.

My friend who fully BF's her baby is the same age as yours and can drain her boob in 10 mins flat!

***babygirl*** · 16-01-2008 22:23

its true.. they do eventually reject the breast... the wort day of my life

i think if you persist at giving baby breast when they 'demand' it they should slowly gain weight and then ideally thrive... dont get TOO worried about weight gain in breastfed babies.. they all take it on differently... as do formula fed babies.

about the bottle refusing.. perhaps it is too cold/warm or the flow is too slow/fast... i am a bottle feeding mummy since four months old because baby started to refuse breast after i was sent into hospital for surgery and she was given formula...

i hope you find a nice balance... but breast is definately best.. and bottle is perfectly ok too