5 mo REFUSING bottle

Please help. I am desparate. I go back to work next week and my 5 month old is refusing a bottle. I have tried several ones. He has been EBF since the beginning and has never taken a bottle. I have been trying for a month now with no success. My lactation consultant rec. trying a sippy cup at his age but he won't take that either. She said I may have to use a medicine dropper if it came down to it.

I have tried feeding him in different positions, different holds, my husband has tried and nothing.

Help!!!!!!

Re: 5 mo REFUSING bottle

Are you in the same room when your husband tries? My ds took a bottle of bm right away, but I had a friend who left the house the first few times her ds was given a bottle.

What bottles are you using? Maybe try switching to a bottle that simulates the breast more. We used breastflow bottles to start ( now we use dr. Brown), but i know people love tommy tippee. Medela also came out with a new bottle. But I have never used it.

Good luck.

5 mo REFUSING bottle

I was in the same situation when I went back to work with my older DD (she was 4 mos at the time). Sadly and stress-inducingly so, we had to have our nanny/my parents feed her with a medicine dropper when I first went back. It was awful. BUT, the good news is that she DID eventually take the bottle. It took about a month, but it did finally happen. She was also a VERY extreme case and I've never actually found anyone else who ended up in the same situation.

Have you tried the Tommy Tipee bottle? I know a lot of BF moms say it worked well for their DC. (I also have a 4 month old now who is EBF and refuses the bottle, but thankfully I am not returning to work until Sept!)

Good luck!

5 mo REFUSING bottle

Thanks for the responses. Yes, I have tried breastflow, tommee tippee, playtex, avent natural with no luck. I have left the room when my husband feeds. I will try leaving the house next time. How long did it take to feed the baby with a medicine dropper? I have a feeling that is what we will have to do.

Re: 5 mo REFUSING bottle

I am in a similar situation. My DD is almost 5 months and has never taken the bottle. Only recently have I started to have some luck.
A few things we tried. Have you tried giving the bottle in the middle of the night (if DC is still waking to eat). Sometimes if they are sleepy they might be more willing.
The only way my DD takes the bottle now - and she still only takes a bit - is if I give it to her while she is in her infant seat. Not sure why that works, but she will drink a couple of oz that way.
Also, not sure how you feel about solids, but you could do a little cereal (or something else) mixed with breast milk if they will eat that way. The ped had me give cereal for another reason and my DD took really well to eating with the spoon. At least now if i have to leave her I know she will eat a bit that way - more breast milk, less cereal. I am not giving her solids regularly, but at least have it as a back up.
good luck!
oh, I also had two friends in similar situations and their DCs just didn't eat or only ate an oz or two while they were at work and just adapted to that schedule.