Getting Baby to Take Bottle

Updated on December 16, 2006
L.C. asks from Sioux Falls, SD
13 answers

How do I get my breastfed infant to take a bottle?

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R.Y.

answers from Davenport on

Along with trying different nipples. Also ,try putting breast milk on the nipple as often as you can through out the feeding might help.

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R.B.

answers from Bismarck on

when i went back to work, my son was 3 months old, he is 5 mo now. but i bought those expensive bottles that breast fed babies "will take" nope, didnt like it one bit!!
so i went to walmart and i found this one
http://www.evenflo.com/Homepage/ProductList/tabid/203/nav...
its textured and has raised "bumps" that imitate a nipple...and he uses it with no problem!
hope this helps!

R. b

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L.H.

answers from Des Moines on

Depending on how old your baby is, could be easy or difficult. I was told to introduce a bottle between 5-8 weeks- even if just an occaisional feeding to get them used to the idea so they don't reject it later. I had very good luck with the Playtex naturalatch disposable system, it has a slowflow nipple that is supposed to be very similar to breastfeeding. If you plan to continue to breastfeed as well, make sure when baby takes the bottle, baby latches on like he/she would on the breast. Until baby got used to the bottle, I would leave the house during bottle time or he simply wouldn't take it (FYI- still won't take a pacifier if I'm in the house). Good luck!

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K.B.

answers from Billings on

Alternate Every other feeding give him/her a bottle and everyday give your baby one extra bottle and one less breast feeding. eventually your baby will be so used to the bottle it won't mind the bottle. Or you can start each feeding with the breast and about half way through switch to the bottle and eventually your baby should be ok with the bottle. I had the same problem so good luck.

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B.B.

answers from Davenport on

Pure will power on your part. I nursed my daughter until she was 8 months old. I was going to stop at 6, but it took 2 months before she would take a bottle. She screamed, and cried, and gagged, and puked, but I didn't stop. Eventually she realized that she wouldn't win and gave in, but it was a seriously stressful, angry, sad time of our lives. My son on the other hand, he put up a fight for a little while, but he was more in to it. I really suggest the Mam bottles. You can get them at Target (only online) and you've got to flip through all the bottles to find them. They make boys and girls, 2 different sizes. I have had the most success with these bottles and now are the only thing I will use. They are designed to go from breast to bottle, and simulate what the nipple looks like when the baby is nursing. If you have ever used a Man pacifier, that's what the nipple of the bottle looks like, and I have found it's almost like tricking your child because they think they're getting the pacifier and really it's the bottle! HA! Hope this helps.

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R.S.

answers from Davenport on

i have always heard that useing the nipples that look and feel like a real one that they latch on and that is ur disposibles/ like playtex. they should latch on to it

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L.C.

answers from Omaha on

How old is infant? have some one else help you the baby can smell you and want the breast

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L.B.

answers from Fargo on

First, how old is your baby and how long have you been breast feeding? If you have tried to bottle feed and have had little success...there is a product out called the Lactina. It is a device that is a supplemental nurser....and you breastfeed while using it. There are also different types of bottles and nipples...a lot of things to try. You don't need to use formula either..you can pump and start saving milk and use that as your supplement. And depending on your location..there is usually a lactation consultant at the hospital. Good luck, and let me know how it is going for you. LAB

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K.D.

answers from Fargo on

I had this same trouble with my first two children. I tried everything, they would not drink from a bottle. I tried every type of bottle nipple out there.
Everyone told me to skip a feeding and they would get so hungry they would drink from a bottle. Didn't work for me.
You could try put a little sugar or jam on the bottle nipple. I heard about that after the fact.

Good Luck.
K.

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L.P.

answers from Pocatello on

First use silicone nipples (the clear ones) they don't have a bad taste. second start out giving them warm breast milk in the bottle if possible to make the change. Third give it to them first when they are really hungry and then reward them with some breast feeding afterword. Its a good idea to make the transition a gradual one. Some babies do very well changing to a bottle because they like getting their milk quickly. Other babies on the other hand fight it. gradually offer the bottle more often over a two week period. If you are weaning off of breast feeding, this option is best so that you avoid engorgment (OUCH!) Good luck :) you can e-mail me if you need more information. ____@____.com here is a link about it from LLLI. http://www.llli.org/FAQ/bottle.html

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H.H.

answers from Davenport on

There is a bottle by first years called "BreastFlow." www.breastflow.com I have only found it at babies-r-us.com. I still have some problems with the baby playing with it, but it is better.

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T.T.

answers from Denver on

Someone else should give you baby a bottle until he/she takes it well. Your baby can smell your milk very very well, so you might have to leave the house. My daughter has a hard time with some nipples because my milk flows really fast and she gets frustrated with slow bottles. So try different nipples to see which one he/she likes the best. Start with breast milk and then give formula after the bottle feedings are going better. And keep trying! Hunger will win out in the end! Don't worry about starving your baby. He/she won't starve. He/she will take a bottle. Some babies are just more stubborn than others! Good luck!

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J.M.

answers from Des Moines on

you know I did my son until 8 mos. and thought I would do the same w/our dau. but she got 4 teeth by 3 1/2 mos. and bit 2x, that was it. She was much more agressive at eating than our son, so just that's it, if your hungry you get the bottle, if their hungry enough they'll take it.

I use the playtex disposable bottles. Neither one of my kids would take the Clear nipples, too hard/long or something. I did try 4 or 5 nipples though so if you haven't tried a different nipple I'd try that first.

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