I want the bottle to be as hypnotizing as my boobs!

dollypardon · January 2014

My 4-week old is doing increasingly better at sleeping at night. Not through the night, but at night, period; he was a full-time nighttime party baby until last week or so.

My milk is finally coming in in abundance and I've been able to successfully BF and pump for the last few weeks. DH is going to be the primary stay-at-home parent when I go back to work, so I've got our freezer stash started.

My husband and I are trying to share the feeding duties on the outset, especially in the middle of the night. I recently began nursing while laying down, and it's the best thing ever as it simultaneously feeds him while lulling him to sleep. It's the most effective baby knocker-outer in my arsenal. But ever since I've been doing it, it seems like bottles do nothing to soothe him in comparison to boobs. It's not nipple confusion per se, as he'll take the bottle (though I am noticing that he spits milk back out from the bottle lately while he's feeding), but he'll take it fast and then it seems as if the bottle just gave him nervous energy, which is the opposite of what we're trying to do in the wee hours. So, essentially, with 3 am feedings: If I feed him he conks out for another 3-5 hours; if my husband bottle-feeds him, he commences with a baby rave till dawn. Wide-eyed, aimless fussing, wiggle worming around, the usual...

In case it has to do with our bottles: We've tried a bunch of different brands and have had the most success with the Joovy Boobs. I've tried the Medela Calma and hated it (the milk just went all over his face). The Avent nipples seem to fast for us, even the newborn ones. I have a Como Tomo that I haven't opened yet out of laziness.

Anyway.

My question is: Have any of your partners figured out hacks to simultaneously calm your baby while feeding them in the middle of the night? What's the trick to making a bottle-feeding as pass-out worthy as a boob fix? Positions? Special bottles? Tricks? Help!

(And yes, we watched the Happiest Baby on the Block dvd, and those methods are great. He's swaddled all night long, we do the pacifier, and the white noise machine is in the mail forever (thanks Zulily). We don't have a swing, but he currently sleeps in a bouncy seat in the Pack n Play. None of these things are helping during and after bottle feeding.)

FutureMrsCaesar · January 2014

This isn't what you want to hear, but we have had the exact same experience as you with out kids and bottle vs. Boob. Babies are just preprogrammed to love the Boob. Breastmilk contains melatonin and tryptophan which make baby sleepy, combined with the fact that it comes out slower and they love the warm cuddles.

The only 2 things I can think of to suggest would be to get some preemie nipples to make the flow super slow, and after the bottle have dh try to hold the baby in a cross cradle position and give him a paci to suck on. My dh has had luck with that on occasion. Fingers crossed your lo will be sleepingb through the night by the time you have to go back to work!

Islandgirl1129 · January 2014

You can download a white noise app on your phone. I have to be honest the swing has been the only thing that works for my husband.

frankierokx · January 2014

Try and find teats that are shaped like your nipple. For me Tommee Tippee ones are the best. I have had no problem switching between breast and bottle. I also second your H lying down with LO to feed in the dark. My H also lies in the dark next to M until he falls asleep.

insertclevername · January 2014

Use a preemie or newborn nipple, keep the room quiet and dark and have your H practice paced feeding.

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I want the bottle to be as hypnotizing as my boobs!

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