Breastfeeding Support Group

While breastfeeding is recommended by many doctors, it is not as simple as it seems. This is a community dedicated to parents who are choosing to breastfeed, providing a safe place to discuss everything from pumping, to questions of whether baby is getting enough, weaning, breast care, scheduling, supply, and more.

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refusing bottle

allie80
allie80
Hi- I'm sure there have been similar posts here in the past, but I'm hoping you can help me with this issue. My daughter (3 1/2 mo) gets one bottle of EBM per day because she gets probiotics and they are in the powder form and need to be mixed with milk. This had been going OK-not great, but ok. She is not a fan of the bottle and usually will just take an oz or two, but that's fine, that's all she needs to get the probiotics. However, four days ago she started flat-out refusing to take the bottle. When my husband or I put it in her mouth, she either screams or gags. No matter how many times we try, she won't take a drop. I've tried three different nipples (Medela, Evenflo, and a preemie, slow flow nipple from the hospital). This is a problem because she has been doing GREAT on the probiotics-it virtually eliminated all of her tummy issues. Also, in a month I'm going back to work (just one night per week) and she's going to have to take a bottle from her Dad at bedtime. Any suggestions on getting her to take the bottle? Do you think it' a nipple issue, or a phase, or just that she only wants the breast? Any nipple suggestions? I'm up for any suggestions! Thanks!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Both of my kids adamantly refused the bottle from the very beginning so I'm interested to see what feedback you get!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I would cross that bridge when you get there. The thing is, the absolutely best thing is bm straight from the source. Your baby has figured this out! She is a smart cookie and may very well end up "reverse cycling" when you are away. That is, she will "wait" for you to nurse. And when she will be with you, she will nurse tons to make up for anything she may have missed during the day. You can google "reverse cycling" for more info.

As for the probiotics, they may have helped....but typically, babies often outgrow tummy type issues with time. See how she does if you skip the bottle...maybe she no longer needs the probiotics. And if she does, your DH can give them to her mixed with a tiny bit of bm in a syringe, a dropper, a cup, or even a spoon! :)

And if need be, dad an give your ebm in that same fashion in a month.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I agree with franny. Try a syringe or cup to get the pro biotics in. I have some experience with reverse cycling. Ds.takes just enough milk during the day to not starve and then nurses every two hours from the time I feet home from work until bedtime and usually 2 or 3 times at night. I don't mind as I prefer he gets his milk from the source too! I didn't realize it was rc until I told someone he only takes 2 3oz bottles at the sitters.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I agree with franny. Try a syringe or cup to get the pro biotics in. I have some experience with reverse cycling. Ds.takes just enough milk during the day to not starve and then nurses every two hours from the time I feet home from work until bedtime and usually 2 or 3 times at night. I don't mind as I prefer he gets his milk from the source too! I didn't realize it was rc until I told someone he only takes 2 3oz bottles at the sitters.
allie80
allie80
We have tried the syringe a couple of times and were able to get a tiny bit in, but she is a funny girl. Anything put in her mouth (other than my breast) is objectionable to her. This is not new-gas drops, tylenol, Vit D....we haven't been able to use any of them because when we put something in her mouth with a dropper, she gags and vomits! I guess we'll just keep trying...thanks for your suggestions...