BFing moms or BTDT BFing moms a bottle question

I am EBF my DD#2 - she will be 10 weeks tomorrow. For 6 weeks now I have been trying to get her to take a bottle and she just won't. I have bought just about every bottle out on the market and have tried them all. I end up with two issues - she tries to suck sometimes but for some reason has trouble and it just ends up spilling out of her mouth and she is gagging and choking. Or she starts crying so hard she can't even suck (she won't take a paci either - she has only sucked on one 2 times total).

I'm at my wits end. I'm not comfortable BFing out in public and will only BF at a close friend's or family home, my car or our house. DH wants to go to the zoo but I have no idea how I will BF DD if we go (since it is a LONG walk back to our car).

What have other's done in this situation. And NO btw no matter how hungry she gets she still won't take the bottle and only gets more and more hysterical.

I have tried various nipples, having other people give the the bottles when I am not around etc. It is also hard b.c my parents are our babysitters and they won't watch DD if she won't take a bottle b.c my mom says if I can't feed her I won't watch her.

Etd to add it doesn't help that when I feed the baby - DD#1 points and yells baby eating! baby eating (so it is hard to be discreet).

Message edited 7/31/2009 9:01:19 AM.

Re: BFing moms or BTDT BFing moms a bottle question

Have you let someone else offer the bottle?

I know Ryan would never take a bottle from me but would take it from DH.

We were going to do both but I got really lazy with pumping. So by the time Ryan was about 4 months old we stopped offering bottles. And then at 6 months he just completely refused them.

Re: BFing moms or BTDT BFing moms a bottle question

Yes my DH and my mom have both tried to give her a bottle in another room from me. The most she has ever taken was 1/2 to 1 ounce - but then wouldn't take more and was screaming to eat.

Re: BFing moms or BTDT BFing moms a bottle question

I feel ya That was Bella...refused all bottles, from anyone. I just gave up trying

She never ended up taking to one.

I hope you have better success. There are kinds that mimic the boob...I forgot the name of them. You might want to try them.

Good luck

Re: BFing moms or BTDT BFing moms a bottle question

I have to say DD#1 is funny. You'll look back at it and laugh.

With DD I was just persisitant. When I tried to give DD a bottle I would swear my landlord would think I was hurting her by how much she would scream. I would hold her and walk while I tried to give her the bottle. I did this in preparation for going back to work, so she HAD to learn. I would just keep offering it, a little at a time and get progressively longer until she finaly takes it. The walking for me helped until she finally took it and then I was able to sit and feed her. Good luck!

Re: BFing moms or BTDT BFing moms a bottle question

Do you think a nursing cover would make you feel more comfortable nursing in public?

I have no shame, so I whipped it out wherever, whenever

I never forced the bottle issue with Ryan. But, I will say I think persistence is key. Just keep on trying.

Maybe try offering it to her before she is actually hungry so she can learn how the nipple works and will have more patience to work with it?

Re: BFing moms or BTDT BFing moms a bottle question

My ds was easy he took the bottle no problem. But I had a lot of practice from my niece. She had to have everything perfect or she wouldn't drink it. I was her nanny while my sister worked. These were her rules:
-mommy could not give her the bottle
-bottle must be the correct temp. I warmed it till it felt a little hot. not hot like it burns but like a hot shower
-we used playtex drop ins with a slow flow nipple.
-had to be held close right next to my breast in a breast feeding position.
-the person feeding could not be too bony
-I would rock or sway and pop the bottle in her mouth when she turned to the breast
-she would suck down the bottle with a burp halfway thru the 3-4 oz

if I followed her rules she did great. But if you didn't (like her dad refused) she would scream and cry until someone did it right or mommy gave her the boob.

good luck

Re: BFing moms or BTDT BFing moms a bottle question

Posted by imyself

My ds was easy he took the bottle no problem. But I had a lot of practice from my niece. She had to have everything perfect or she wouldn't drink it. I was her nanny while my sister worked. These were her rules:
-mommy could not give her the bottle
-bottle must be the correct temp. I warmed it till it felt a little hot. not hot like it burns but like a hot shower
-we used playtex drop ins with a slow flow nipple.
-had to be held close right next to my breast in a breast feeding position.
-the person feeding could not be too bony
-I would rock or sway and pop the bottle in her mouth when she turned to the breast
-she would suck down the bottle with a burp halfway thru the 3-4 oz

if I followed her rules she did great. But if you didn't (like her dad refused) she would scream and cry until someone did it right or mommy gave her the boob.

good luck

Re: BFing moms or BTDT BFing moms a bottle question

I will give some of those tricks a try!!!

My mom BF me but sometimes she isn't the most supportive - at DD#1's birthday party I was asked to go sit upstairs alone and feed (I was trying to BF in the kitchen the rest of the party was in the living room so I was alone) but she feared someone would WANT to come into the kitchen and I would offend them or make them uncomfortable (I was using a cover up at the time so it wasn't like I was exposed). Although she is supportive of my BFing b.c she feels in her opinion it is the healthier option for immunity reasons- she feels it should be done in private. So she is constantly saying well how are you going to go away, you can't go back to the hotel every 2 hours to feed your daughter etc. So there is some pressure there. I BF my DD until 13 months and at 9 months when I had to supplement b.c I couldn't pump enough for DD#1 when we went out - she was like it is about time - when are you stopping?

I have tried the Adiri, breastflow, nuby, dr browns, playtex, gerber, medela (which she took a little back at 6 weeks), avent, and several others. I have like 15 different type of bottles at home - all are the lowest stage nipples. What I don't understand is that I have a very strong and forceful let down (according to my OB who asked if she had trouble BF as a result of it) and she doesn't have any problems when she is latched on (although she does spill some milk out when she eats.)

Re: BFing moms or BTDT BFing moms a bottle question

Sorry Christine, can't really help you, but I do understand b/c I'll nurse DS but only when we're home. I just don't feel comfortable doing it in public or even at IL's house. I'm sorry she won't take the bottle

Re: BFing moms or BTDT BFing moms a bottle question

I'm sorry...that sounds frustrating.

Have you tried the Adiri bottles? They most mimic the breast. I agree with warming it (which I'm sure you are doing already).

I know you said you have tried the bottle at home....but something tells me you may have luck if you try it OUT. Maybe go down the block to the park (somewhere close to your home) and give her the bottle there. Maybe the change of scenery?

I hope it works out! Hang in there!

Re: BFing moms or BTDT BFing moms a bottle question

I am sorry your Mom is so difficult. I know this is easier said than done and totally depends on your personalty, but if it were me I'd be having a talk about it with her and let her know there is nothing shameful, offensive or disgusting about a child eating. You are being curtious by covering up.

As for the bottle my sister had issues getting her son to take the bottle and funny her solution ended up being very similar to the PPs list. They used the playtex drop in, he prefered the latex over silcone nippes. It had to be hot and his really funny requirement - the person giving it to him had to have long hair so he could play with your hair while he took the bottle

Re: BFing moms or BTDT BFing moms a bottle question

Re: BFing moms or BTDT BFing moms a bottle question

If you are going to the zoo have you looked into weather they have an area you can breastfeed in private... maybe a babycare area or a first aid station??? just a thought... I know I could never do it in public which is why i ended up pumping from day 1

Re: BFing moms or BTDT BFing moms a bottle question

My son had this exact issue. I EBF him and he could not take the bottle (from anyone) and milk would pour out of his mouth like he was choking.
I went to an LC from the hospital who recommended valved nipples called special needs feeders from Medela. They were expensive (like $27 for each nipple set) and they needed to be replaced every 3 months. However, they were the only nipples DS could ever use. I know you can get them from Buy Buy Baby in Totowa, NJ b/c I saw them there two weeks ago. Alternatively, call Medela and you can set up an account and they will mail them to you.

In a Target baby catalogue I received I saw some valved nipple bottles.

ETA: I too had an extremely forceful let down. I am also really sorry to hear about your mom's attitude towards BFing.

So a lot has changed in 2 years you can get them on Amazon for less $17.49. Special Needs Feeder

Message edited 7/31/2009 8:40:28 PM.

Re: BFing moms or BTDT BFing moms a bottle question

THANK YOU!!!!! I will look into those options. I ended up having to BF at the zoo - but found some quiet shaded areas and used a cover up - I don't think anyone really noticed b.c I stood up by a railing and turned my back to the people walking by so I don't think people noticed. It was really uncomfortable but it did work. I will keep working on the bottles esp bc her reflux has gotten worse and the ped said he wasn't happy with her weight gain this month (not concerned but just not happy with where it is) so I might have to give her supplements or more pumped milk by bottle so I really have to work on this.