Feeding baby BM with a cup?

[Anonymous]

We are having trouble getting DD to drink from a bottle -- she's 4.5 months old, and we didn't even attempt a bottle until 3 months. I'm going to be going back to work/school in about a month, so we need her to take a bottle. (I know we should have tried at 5-6 weeks.... didn't for various reasons.) We've tried nearly everything -- DH giving bottle with me not around, with me around, me giving bottle, different nipples (Adiri, Playtex drop-ins with latex nipples, etc.), different feeding positions.

We haven't totally given up yet, but just in case she won't take the bottle....anyone do feeding with a cup? Is she too young for this? I read somewhere that you can start this at about 6 months.

[Anonymous]

have you tried putting a nipple shield on yourself while your DD nurses? That might help her "get used" to the nipple feeling in her mouth.

It was a reverse for us - I used the nipple shield to get DD latched back on to me from the bottle.

Also, have you tried the different flow rates of the Nuk nipples?

Finally, what is your DD doing when she resists the bottle - is she just gumming the nipple, arching her back, etc.?

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply.

No -- haven't tried the nipple shield. You think that will help?

I haven't tried the nuk nipples because the nuk bottles are plastic (worried about BPA). But maybe we could go from NUK to something else.

She gums the nipples a little, sucks on it for a minute, then moves it to the side of her mouth. Then starts fussing. Occasionally starts screaming. I'm not sure if she arches her back; I'll have to ask my husband -- she didn't do that when I tried. (It's so sad to watch, or to hear about from my husband.)

[Anonymous]

I agree with trying the silicone breast shields (will make her more familiar with the feel/etc of the bottle nipple.) and the nuk nipples.

They're the only ones we could get my nephew to take at first.

[Anonymous]

Also, in addition to trying to feed from a cup- you can also try with a dropper.

In reality, it may be rough at first, but if you're persistent, eventually the baby WILL take a bottle.

[Anonymous]

My dd never took a bottle (or a paci). Flat-out refused. She started on a sippy when she was 7 months. BUT - I was home with her and didn't have to push the issue. I'm sure your baby will eventually take a bottle. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

:08 poster again.

The Nuk have different nipples for different ages and, thus, different flow rates. You can check the packaging to see which you think would be best 0-3 months (slow), 4-6 months (medium), etc.
Like you said, OP, maybe you could try it for a little bit and switch to a BPA one.

I recommended the breast shield in the earlier posting since that really helped us so I thought I would suggest it to you too. It really helped our DD get used to the feel and "flow" of a rubbery-type nipple. It won't work overnight, but after a few days and intermittently using the Nuk nipples we had a good transition.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I think you need to keep trying. Most babies will eventually get it, although I am sure there are a few who don't.

And during the hours you will be at work, only allow bottle feeding. As long as the baby knows an alternative is nearby, he/she won't switch.

I know this sounds harsh, but I think it's the best way. If you are concerned about safety, speak with your pediatrician first. Unfortunately, I have heard of this before. Some mothers just didn't know this could happen, and they got caught by surprise. Well, after some days of no feeds/weak feeds, the babies all took to the bottle. It wasn't pretty, but no one starved. I think babies can make up for a lot of lost ground in the evenings.

As a backup, you might consider introducing some solids. She's old enough by AAP guidelines, although a bit early for me. But necessity is necessity, and an extra source of calories couldn't hurt.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, everyone!

DH did get DD to take a bottle tonight -- only about 2 ounces, but she didn't cry while she took it. The Adiri bottle worked this time.

Thanks for your encouragement!

[cmkeough]

If DD doesn't continue to take the Adiri (I'll keep my fingers crossed for you) you may want to opt for the Playtex (drop-ins) with the laytex nipples. I BF DD and although she was getting approx 1 bottle a day from DH she wouldn't take a bottle, all shortly before I went back to work outside of the home. She had been taking the Adiri - so I purchased the next stage (blue), when that didn't work I purchased the orange stage...and then I proceeded to buy practically every darn bottle out there. I now have a large bag FULL of bottles that DD won't touch (including sippy cups), yes...I was a desperate mother. After a couple of days to about a week she finally gave in and starting taking the bottle like a little pro! YIPEEEEE! That was almost 3 months ago (DD is almost 6 months old) and after the nanny kept trying the Adiri (essentially it would leak out into DD's mouth and she would swallow, so she wasn't really latching on) we tried the laytex nipples and voila! Guess it was a little more like mom's nipple.

I may try eventually to see if she'll take the other bottles since it's easier to pop all the pieces into the dishwasher. The unfortunate thing about laytex nipples is that you can't put them in the Medela bags or in the dishwasher (phooey).

Best of luck!
Christina

[Anonymous]

Babies are born with the ability to drink from the side of a glass (or plastic cup). It isn't unrealistic to feed them this way.

[Anonymous]

OP-
If you are still searching for nipples, I recommend the NUK (stage 1 - slow flow). It fits on Medela bottles (BPA free) and very convenient if you have a Medela pump...