help!! I can't get her off my breast

kremerks

My daughter is 5 months old and we have been trying to get her on a bottle since 2 weeks old since I work FT and knew eventually I had to go back to work.  I have been back to work for a month now and she still is not taking a bottle well, basically have to squirt the milk in her mouth.  During the day she only takes about 3 ounces, on a good day, and then she has started a cycle of eating a lot at night to make up.  We have tried every make of bottle and type of nipple and she seems to push everything out of her mouth when she trys to suck on it...it's like she has a tongue thrust or something.  I can't figure out if she is doing it because she knows what she wants and she wants me or if she truly can't grasp the bottle nipple???  I am going insane with the sleepless nights, not having a break etc.  The sitter has really tried hard and has had so much patience working with, it's a burden on her too!  Hiring a nanny in the house is out of the question, too expensive, so have to bring her to daycare. 

 Has anyone had this?  What worked for you?  Right now I think she will never take a bottle and work on getting her on a sippy cup.  How early did anyone get there child on it and how did you introduce it and get them to star taking it?

 Sorry some of this is a vent as I am at my wits end.  She doesn't take any sort of paci either...anything in her mouth other than me is rolled out by her tongue. 

Ananke

DS has the same problem with bottles.  I've started him on a regular cup since he had the same issues with the no-spill sippies.  Currently he'll only take water from a cup, but once he's got the hang of it, I'll try some BM - I'd love to leave him for an hour or two with MIL so I could have some me time.

FLchicken

I was in your situation just a month ago.  Are all the nipples that you have silicone?  If so, I would suggest getting a latex (tan) nipple.  I had every brand of bottle out there until someone on here suggested I get a latex nipple.  She took to it.  Also, my lactation nurse suggested that I lightly squeeze her cheek when she first take the bottle to encourage sucking.  Once she starts sucking, let go.  Try to make sure your BM is quite warm.

My daughter did the same thing you are describing...pushing the nipple out with her tongue.  It's more a matter of being stubborn about taking the bottle vs. knowing how to suck.

It's a month later and she still sometimes fusses at daycare.  But the playtex nipple is the savior here.  She actually took a whole bottle from me today without one bit of fuss.  There is hope! I promise!!

kremerks

Thanks for the responses, I will try both.  This mama needs 1) a break 2) 1 night of sleep .