5month refusing bottles?

Question

I have exclusively breastfed my daughter and i expressed the odd bottle for her by the time she turned 8 weeks. She never had a problem with the bottle before, and took to it naturally.

She would also take formula out of the bottle too.

She is now 5 months and has suddenly started to refuse the bottle.

I have tried every teat going, latex, orthodontic etc.....

I have been extremely persistant, everyday i offer a bottle to her, breastmilk, formula...fast flow...slow flow...you name it!

She just gets very frustrated and starts to cry, i cant stand to see her so upset so i end up just giving her the breast.

She is a great eater, and also has the odd bowl of baby rice cereal when she's overly hungry, shes fine with that too!

It is going to be a HUGE problem if she continues to refuse it as i will be starting a college course soon so she will need to be fed between the times i leave...

Has anyone had the same problems and have any idea how to get her to get used to a bottle again?

Or any tips if you have weaned them off the breast?

Any feedback would be great right now, i dont have a clue what i am going to do.

Answer 1

Is she just refusing it from you or is she refusing it when you leave her also? My son won't take the bottle from anyone inside my house, if I leave him at grandma's he is fine. What dolly is talking about is called reverse cycling which is also an option. If you aren't going to be gone longer than her normal longest stretch at night you can reverse her eating patterns so she does her 1 long stretch during the day when you can't be there. Also try feeding from a regular cup or a sippy, since you said she takes cereal maybe just let her have that while you are gone to hold her over until you get home.

Answer 2

I had the same problem with my daughter.  I took work off to breastfeed but was going back to college.  She never would take a bottle and had to wait the 3-31/2 hours until I got back home to pick her up.  Nurse immediately before and immediately after and she should be fine.  Be prepared for her to wake up for an extra night feeding to make up for the one she missed.  Have the baby sitter offer cereal and water or expressed milk at your baby's normal nursing time.

Edit-  I'm pregnant again and will be required to do clinicals when he/she is due.  I plan to exclusivly breastfeed and I will have my husband bring the baby to me at least twice during my 8 hour clinical.  Is it possible you can take a nursing break?  Have someone bring the baby to you?  At five months I don't think you'll get her to take a bottle.  My daughter was 4 months when I went back to school and nothing worked for her.  She went 8 HOURS at my mom's house (I wasn't there) with my mom trying to feed her with a bottle before we both gave in and I let her nurse.

Answer 3

Have someone other than yourself swaddle her & offer her the bottle.

She is at the age where she knows what she prefers & that is to snuggle with her mommy & breastfeed.