Breast Fed Baby Won't Take Bottle

[JackandJill]

Hi! I have new little one, this is her second week. She will not take a bottle from me. Any tips or tricks? Parents are aware of the situation, and she take a bottle from dad when he is home with her. I know they say babies won't starve themselves, but its still makes for a less than fun day!

[NightOwl]

Swaddle her and hold her in a position as if you were breastfeeding, kind of turned toward your body instead of just laying in your arms. It's awkward getting the bottle in there in that position, but it's always worked for me with a little practice.

[NightOwl]

And make sure the milk is nice and warm. Remember it's body temp when coming from mom, so at least 98 degrees.

[sleepinghart]

Hi! I have new little one, this is her second week. She will not take a bottle from me. Any tips or tricks? Parents are aware of the situation, and she take a bottle from dad when he is home with her. I know they say babies won't starve themselves, but its still makes for a less than fun day!

~Hi! Have you personally viewed mom/dad giving her a bottle? I have found that this is good practice any time a breastfed baby starts with you- Sometime before their first day of care, have mom/dad bring a bottle with them and show you how baby takes the bottle from them. Sorry I don't have any other tips to give you for the situation now as it stands, but I did want to share that.

[Thriftylady]

I agree, I want to see BF babies take a bottle from someone and possibly take one from me before I will accept into care. Most states to require infants to be fed "at will" (when they are hungry). If you can't get them to take a bottle to do that, it could be considered withholding food. I don't offer on site BF, so they have to be able to take a bottle to come here. Depending on age, would dictate how long I would let a child cry to be fed, before I called for pick up. A young infant I wouldn't allow to go nearly as long naturally.

[JackandJill]

~Hi! Have you personally viewed mom/dad giving her a bottle? I have found that this is good practice any time a breastfed baby starts with you- Sometime before their first day of care, have mom/dad bring a bottle with them and show you how baby takes the bottle from them. Sorry I don't have any other tips to give you for the situation now as it stands, but I did want to share that.

That's a great idea! So common sense :: I will ask dad at pick up today, thank you!

[Thriftylady]

That's a great idea! So common sense :: I will ask dad at pick up today, thank you!

I would ask him to sit down and feed baby.

[Blackcat31]

My written policies for infants state that I will not keep a baby that will not eat for more than 3 hours. If the child refuses the bottle and is hungry, I will call for pick up.

I cannot force a child to eat and require children to be proficient using a bottle BEFORE I will agree to keep them longer than 3 hours.

[JackandJill]

I talked with mom at pick up about really getting her used to taking a bottle. During the interview I was told she had taken a bottle, and did a combination of bottle and breast feeding. I know people say babies will make up for it by nursing more at night, but I can't imagine going 6-8 hours without eating five days a week at 3 months is healthy. I am wondering how long I should continue care if she isn't eating at all during the day. This is her second week with me.

[Thriftylady]

I talked with mom at pick up about really getting her used to taking a bottle. During the interview I was told she had taken a bottle, and did a combination of bottle and breast feeding. I know people say babies will make up for it by nursing more at night, but I can't imagine going 6-8 hours without eating five days a week at 3 months is healthy. I am wondering how long I should continue care if she isn't eating at all during the day. This is her second week with me.

How does she act in care? Is she crying to be fed or is she happy?

[LysesKids]

I talked with mom at pick up about really getting her used to taking a bottle. During the interview I was told she had taken a bottle, and did a combination of bottle and breast feeding. I know people say babies will make up for it by nursing more at night, but I can't imagine going 6-8 hours without eating five days a week at 3 months is healthy. I am wondering how long I should continue care if she isn't eating at all during the day. This is her second week with me.

Suggest that someone other than mom or dad feed the bottle.... I require parents to start bottle feeding minimum of 2 weeks in advance & tell them have a good friend do it. It's useless to have mom do it because baby knows they can get the boob if they refuse

[JackandJill]

How does she act in care? Is she crying to be fed or is she happy?

Its mix, two days last week she slept a lot, the other days she gets pretty upset after being here a few hours.

[thrivingchildcarecom]

I had this problem with a family once. I found out that they were only breast feeding at home even though I require them to help the baby transition to child care by offering the bottle for some feedings at home as well. I was very uncomfortable because the baby was not eating the entire 10 hours he was in child care.

Anyway, I wound up having to really come down on the parents by requesting that they must offer the bottle at home for some feedings and not just the breast all the time. Otherwise, mom was going to need to hightail it over to the child care at lunch and feed the baby. For some reason, they seemed to realize that was not as feasible so they began offering the bottle more and finally the baby would accept it from us here.

Hope that helped.

[JackandJill]

I had this problem with a family once. I found out that they were only breast feeding at home even though I require them to help the baby transition to child care by offering the bottle for some feedings at home as well. I was very uncomfortable because the baby was not eating the entire 10 hours he was in child care.

Anyway, I wound up having to really come down on the parents by requesting that they must offer the bottle at home for some feedings and not just the breast all the time. Otherwise, mom was going to need to hightail it over to the child care at lunch and feed the baby. For some reason, they seemed to realize that was not as feasible so they began offering the bottle more and finally the baby would accept it from us here.

Hope that helped.

This is a good idea, Thanks!

[lovemykidstoo]

Oh this is such an issue with me right now. I have 2 babies. One is 6 months and the other is 3 months. The 6 month old has this problem big time and I talked to mom and dad daily about it. Finally like this week, the little girl has come around and will take the bottle for me. I've had her for a couple of months. She was crabbier than all get outs for me. Funny thing is right now she's up half the time because she "wants to be held to sleep" and cries. Here she sleeps all day because she was up half the night. So, they're reliving the crying that I dealt with for the first 2 months ! Shame on me, but it makes me smile haha!

The 3 month old really is a problem. Mom even commented to me about the other baby not getting a bottle at home and how that must be hard on me and then sends me hers now. UGH. This baby is twice as bad and absolutely refuses and screams! Daddy is a male chauvonist and I don't think has ever given her a bottle.