5 month baby issues...Need help!

Question

I'm a first time mom. I breastfeed my son since birth and I want to introduce a bottle to him. He does not take it at all no matter how much he's hungry. I would leave the house and my bf will try to feed the baby and he still refuses to take the bottle. I need help. Lastly, he wont sleep in his crib for nothing and always want to feel my body. How can i get him to sleep in his crib.

Answer 1

Try various nipple types for the bottle see which your baby prefers maybe one similar to your own, also be sure to start the change slow from one bottle a day and progress to more as baby gets use to it. For the sleeping part that's hard but try either a swing or a vibrating bouncer these are usually very soothing and although it may not be a crib at least it gives you a break and puts baby to sleep.  

Answer 2

The thing about changing a baby's habits is that it doesn't happen over night. Try giving him a bottle one day and if he doesn't take it give him the breast. Then the next day try it again. He will eventually take the bottle, then increase the bottle feedings to twice a day and so forth.

It's basically the same with the crib. First try putting him down for his nap in the crib and then after he's gotten use to that put him to bed in the crib. I even got to the point where I put my daughter's crib in my room so that if she did wake up I was right there to put her back to sleep and back in the crib.  

You have to think about it. His whole (5 month) life he's done something a certain way and change is hard for him right now. So work your way up to what you want. Good luck.

Answer 3

Try feeding the bottle to him yourself so that he can smell you and know that you are around, not some "other" person who doesn't normally feed him.  Also, feed him from it when he isn't really really hungry so that way he isn't expecting a nipple when he gets a bottle.  Gradually he should be able to eat from the bottle.  You can try putting some milk on his lips too so that he can taste your breast milk, that way he is sure its you!

As far as the sleeping thing, put him in there with something of yours like a night shirt or something with your scent on it.  Lay if flat, then lay him on top of it or use it as a blanket so he wont smother.  Smelling you is very calming and could help!  Babies have an excellent sense of smell!  

Answer 4

i never breastfed but i have a picky eater.  try to distract him with a toy.  when my little one gets fussy i give him a toy to play with and he sits there and plays with the toy and just drinks away.  i hope this helps and good luck

Answer 5

There are actually bottles that look & feel like a breast to get him to switch over, just look them up on the internet. They look funny, but if it works you probably won't care. Also try one of those water sounds mobiles that goes on the side of his bed. Also to try and get him sleep by himself, spray one of his blankies with your perfume or whatever you have that smells like you.

Answer 6

I would start him with a cup instead of a bottle.  See how he does with that!

As to sleeping, wait until you know he's just about asleep and lie him down in his crib.  You might have to go in a few times, he's been trained now to sleep with you and will have a harder time, but this can be done!  If he cries, go in, pat him or rub him to calm him, but DO NOT PICK HIM UP if you can help it!  Try to get him calmed down without picking him up.  It might take awhile, but he's a baby and can't stay awake forever!  Eventually this will get easier.   Here's a link to an article that looks very helpful on this subject!

Answer 7

I found that the Breastflow bottles from the First Years work great. I can't really offer any advice on the crib...Our first born slept in our bed until she was 18 months old and our son is 9 months old and still co-sleeping. We did use the Ferber method of sleep training with our daughter and that seemed to work well with her.