Feeding the first bottle to BF baby???

So, I had defrosted one bottle worth of BM yesterday because I had a long car ride and thought he might need it. He didn't need it and I didn't want it to go to waste. So Dh got up at one of the middle of the night feeding to give it to him and give me some sleep.

Yeah.. not so much. He screamed the whole time DH was feeding it to him. He HATED it. It's only his second bottle ever. After about 15 minutes and only getting in one ounce he finally relaxed and took another ounce nicely.

But, I got no sleep because I was so upset to hear him crying. Is that typical for the first few bottles? I wasn't sure if he was just gassy and after he worked it out and he calmed down or if it the bottle that was so upsetting to him. ANY tips for getting him used to the bottle? I would love to have DH do a few night time feedings a week but, not if I have to lay in bed and listen to the screaming. THat doesn't help my sleep and it just leaves DH tired for work.

Message edited 6/18/2009 9:50:58 AM.

Re: Feeding the first bottle to BF baby???

Totally normal. Just keep trying. You may want to try a different bottle with a different nipple. We went through 4 types before we found one DD liked.

Re: Feeding the first bottle to BF baby???

once he finally got the hang of BFing, DS hated the bottle at first. you just have to keep trying. and definitely have someone else give him the bottle, when i tried to give it to him OMG he would lose his mind.

ETA: i use the playtex drop ins because the nipples are larger, he wanted nothing to do with the dr. browns or medela bottles.

Message edited 6/18/2009 9:52:59 AM.

Re: Feeding the first bottle to BF baby???

Okay maybe we'll wait until the weekend and then try a different bottle. I don't know if either of us can go through that on a weeknight again! He was hysterical and then he couldn't go back to sleep for so long!!

Re: Feeding the first bottle to BF baby???

My DD was NOT a happy camper when we started either. She would scream when DH would give her a bottle too....it was hard to listen to. Just stick with it! She is now totally weaned and loves her bottle. We started with Dr. Brown's and then went to the Playtex Drop Ins....she seemed to like the Playtex better. Good luck!

Re: Feeding the first bottle to BF baby???

Agree w/ the pp. Try a different bottle, aslo make sure the temp of the milk is good. Some babies need the temp to be as close to the temp of your breast to eat. Also try burping more, babies tend to need burping more when drinking from the bottle. It will get easier.

Re: Feeding the first bottle to BF baby???

I agree with the above. Try different nipples, different bottles, check the temp to be as close to body temp. Also, DH had such a hard time doing it until he tried different holds. DS was more willing to take a bottle that was angled as close to DH's 'breast' as possible. He was just used to that angle.