Start work on Monday and DD still won't take a bottle

**lottaLove** · 12-09-2010, 06:05 AM

My maternity leave for DD is up on Sunday, and Monday is my first day back at work. I've been trying in vain to get her to take a bottle for 2 months now. She refuses to take it. She chews on the bottle like its a teether.

DD is 6 months now, so she is eating some rice cereal and I've introduced a few fruits and veg. I just can't for the life of me get her to drink her milk. I've tried 4 diff brands of bottles and a sippy cup, all with the same results. I can't really afford to go out and buy many more different bottle brands in an attempt to get her to take one, because you can't return them to the store if it doesn't work out.

I'm desperate at this point, she needs to be taking a bottle by Monday because I'll be out of the house for 10 hours a day and unable to nurse her. Does anyone have any suggestions or experience with a baby who won't take a bottle?

**MaryCarney** · 12-09-2010, 08:32 AM

As a nurse, you just (and this is going to sound cruel) need to let her get hungry. She is really too young for a sippy cup IMHO, and the style of bottle really doesn't matter. Just let her get hungry, she will eventually eat. Never yet seen a little one who voluntarily starved.

I babysat a six month old once who had also never had a bottle, and once she reached critical mass, gave in, took the bottle and lived happily ever after.

**Mom2-3** · 12-09-2010, 10:31 AM

Mary got it. Sounds cruel, but true. Your little one wont starve

I also had a hard time giving the bottle, but other people could. I think it confuses the baby because she is used to being nursed by you.

Hang in there. Your little one will be fine

**Rosebush3** · 12-09-2010, 08:12 PM

Is it only you offering your daughter the bottles? She knows what she can get from you, why would she take the bottle when your breast is right there. Have you tried getting someone else to give her the bottle instead?
What are you putting in the bottle? Is it expressed milk or formula? Is it body temperature?

**lottaLove** · 12-10-2010, 05:45 AM

It's been expressed milk and given by DH, and he gives it to her at body temperature. I think you're right, we just have to wait for her to be hungry enough. I should have been doing that all along but always cave in because nursing is just easier.

She wouldn't take a pacifier either. I'm thinking if she had been a pacifier baby maybe taking the bottle would be easier because they have the same silicon texture.

**ml2620** · 12-10-2010, 06:58 AM

LL, it really will be OK.

I started back to work two weeks ago and my 3 month old also wouldn't take a bottle. It was a rough first day for me because I worried so about her, but after a very short fuss of about an hour she took the bottle without further trouble.

One thing we do is that I sleep with a swaddling blanket next to my skin (I use it as an overnight breast pad) so it has my scent. When its time to eat, my mom or DH wraps her in the blanket for a snuggle for a few minutes and then its bottle time.

She may be rejecting the bottle because she still sees and smells you. Go do errands or have a visit for 5 hours and see how it goes.

I am so jealous of your 6 months with DD, Canada rocks!

**imagine** · 12-10-2010, 08:31 AM

I nursed while working. Went back to work when DS was 6 months also.

Here was our experience:
He hated the bottle but would eat when he was hungry. He also changed his eating pattern and ate only three or so ounces from the babysitter just enough to keep hunger at bay and nursed a bunch when I got home. Doctor said some do this that it was perfectly okay.

It will all work out. You don't need to worry. She will be fine.