Anyone had bottle refusal while supplementing a hungry baby?

Question

I have reestablished breastfeeding after exclusively bottlefeeding my 10 week old for 2 weeks.

I thought we may experience breast refusal but it appears baby prefers taste of mummys sweet milk over bitter neocate formula (that's the only one she can take).

Anyone experienced this? What will I do if my milk is not enough and baby refuses the bottle?

Answer 1

Why does everyone think their milk won't be enough? Your body was made to nourish your baby. Believe in yourself! Your baby will flourish on your milk.

If for some reason you feel the need to supplement, supplement with your own pumped milk in a bottle. When baby naps, double pump for 15 minutes and build up a little freezer stash. That way whenever you think baby needs a little top off you can do it with sweet mama milk rather than nasty Neocate (just the smell of that stuff is enough to make me puke!)

Answer 2

Hun first stop stressing over it. Here's what you do. When baby is hungry give her a breast. If she's not done give her the other side. If she is still acting hungry then you can switch her back to the first breast since it will have been making milk while you were nursing on the second breast. The first few days will be tough as your body makes the adjustment to the higher demand for milk but as long as you keep hydrated and give your baby open opportunity for the breast you will be able to ditch the bottle very quickly. If there are serious issues where you just cannot handle that much stimulation and irritation to your nipples from the constant nursing you might consider asking baby's doctor for a supplemental nursing device. It goes around your neck with a small tube that is lined up with your nipple so baby gets breastmilk and formula at the same time and your breast gets the stimulation needed to make more milk but baby gets full.

Answer 3

Try getting a pump and putting breast milk into a bottle. You b*****s will actually make more milk the more you 'use' them.

Answer 4

Barring any physical problems on your part (unlikely) your baby will literally stay on your breast until they get enough.  That and possibly eat more food (if you offer non-breastmilk foods, I know some severely allergic babies don't start until after 12 months).

Actually a recent study shows relactation is easier and more common than previously thought.

http://www.unicef.org/malaysia/media_855...

“There is a common misconception that malnutrition greatly reduces the amount of milk a mother produces. Studies show that the amount of breastmilk produced depends mainly on how often and how effectively the baby sucks on the breast. If a mother temporarily produces less milk than the infant needs, the infant responds by suckling more vigorously, more frequently, or longer at each feeding,” says Mr. Youssouf. “This stimulates greater milk production.”

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob...

10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&...

sion=0&_userid=10&md5=81e62b2594b486ee...

Researchers have normally considered weaning to be a non-reversible

event. To determine the validity of this assumption, we interviewed 36

mothers of toddlers who were living in a poor shanty town of Lima,

Peru. Data from 32 women were complete and used in this analysis.

Mothers described their beliefs, practices, and decisions about

breastfeeding, weaning, and relactation (the reintroduction of

breastfeeding after weaning). We recorded attempted weaning events if

the mother reported (1) purposefully not breastfeeding with the

intention to wean, or (2) carrying out an action that was believed to

cause the child to stop breastfeeding. Using a constant comparative

approach, references to child-feeding decisions were coded,

categorized, and analyzed. All mothers breastfed for at least 12

months; the median duration of breastfeeding was 25 months. There were

several different patterns of child-feeding. Thirteen women never

attempted to wean their children or had weaned on the first attempt.

The majority (n=19) of women, however, attempted to wean their

children – some as early as 3 months of age – but relactated between

less than 1 day and 3 months later. Factors that influenced feeding

decisions were primarily related to maternal and child health, and

maternal time commitments. Children were weaned when there was a

perceived problem of maternal health or time commitments and child

health was not at risk of deterioration. Mothers postponed weaning

because of poor child health. The primary reason for relactation was a

child's negative reaction to weaning (e.g., incessant crying or

refusal to eat). Personalities of the mother and child were important

determinants of feeding decisions. These results demonstrate that

maternal and child factors jointly influence child-feeding decisions

and that these decisions are easily reversed. As relactation is

culturally acceptable, health practitioners should consider

recommending relactation when children have been prematurely weaned

and human milk would improve their nutritional and health status.

Answer 5

Don't underestimate a baby's survival instincts mommy. I did breast with all three of my babies and supplemented with bottle when I didn't have enough milk. They always refused it for a long time but when they actually got HUNGRY hungry their little instincts took over and they took whatever was in front of them. I just always made sure to have a nipple on the bottle that was nearest to the shape of my breast, and also kept their face very close to my chest when I was bottle feeding, the scent of mommy can make them think they are breastfeeding, and also try to make sure there is some milk/formula on the nipple so that they taste something.  

Answer 6

You have to control your own feelings and thats why its hard. If she wont take the bottle....then dont give her the boob...distract her with something else, play with her?? When she gets hungry again try the bottle again, of course give in to the breast if its been too long since she's eaten but if she is hungry enough she will take the bottle. Also since you are the momma she knows that he breast is there.....maybe feed her the breast and have daddy give her the bottle or babysitter...she will take it from someone else

Answer 7

My mom went straight from breastfeeding to soft people foods like mashed potatoes, apple sauce, and I think even Cheerios. Breastfeeding is better to do and should keep them full. Every time they feed that way, they are getting all of your immunities and antibodies. It makes them stronger and less prone to getting sick.