12 week old refusing bottle

[Anonymous]

cmkeough wrote:Ugh, I feel your agony. My DD will be 4 months old on the 4th. We too had this very same issue and I too wrote a post not too long ago. I got a lot of the same responses you did. My DD goes to a nanny share 6 hours a day (max) M-F. We thought her starting this would help with the bottle. WRONG! I purchased practically every bottle out there, even bought a 4 month training sippy cup too. I also bought several types of nipples too. The trick....eventually was the following:

Playtex "latex" nipple; slow flow (drop in system), but I think it was the latex that was key...she still isn't a fan of other nipples.
Warmed breastmilk (funny since she used to take it cold or room temp) and it ALWAYS has to be warmed to at least body temp. now.
Time and most of all patience.

We were very fortunate that the nanny stuck it out and was finally able to get our DD to take the bottle. Now she takes it like a pro. I was actually able to go out to the movies (SATC) tonight with my girlfriends and leave her with my husband. YIPEE! I have yet to give her a bottle, I leave that to the nanny or my husband.

The biggest key factor is the patience - and someone else doing the bottle feeding. Everyone is right, you shouldn't be around the house for it either. It will be pure torture for you and your baby if you're there.

Best of luck.

The same thing worked for me, same type of bottle, and warming it up.

[Anonymous]

You need to leave and let someone else give her the bottle. If you stay in the house, she'll sense that you and your milk supply are still there. Your baby will not starve and will drink from the bottle if she is really hungry. This is very typical full BF'd babies. I'd suggest you arrange to get out on a regular basis (i.e., every day or so) until the bottle is well established -- go for a walk, go to the gym, go to the store, etc.

This, plus platex drop-ins with latex slow flows worked for us both times!

My first never really took to the bottle and would only take about 4-6 oz while I was at work for 8 hours. She was always in the 90th percentiles. She was a champion night nurser.

[Anonymous]

We ran into the same thing, just before returning to work.

Don't over-think the how, when, etc. You'll just wear yourself out. Instead, be patient. It will come.