Refusing bottle, help!

catsinawindow · August 2014

So my first day back at work was yesterday, and while I was fine it was a disaster for DH (who is a SAHD) and DD. DD refused a bottle most of the day and only ended up taking 4-5 oz the entire time I was gone! This is a new experience for me as DS always switched from bottle to breast without issue.

We've tried two different bottles with different nipple shapes (one wide base, other narrow base) and it doesn't seem to make a difference. Once she latched onto the nipple and gets going, she does OK unless she is distracted, it's the initial latch-on that is the issue. Any tips/tricks DH can try out?

Unknown · August 2014

This content has been removed.

flerlgirl · August 2014

DD will only take a warm bottle with a medela nipple. Nothing else pleases Her Majesty. I would try different tactics while you're home so y'all can eliminate what doesn't work and hopefully find what does!

I know some babies do better being fed by a syringe - Idk if our babies are too old now but it could be worth looking into.

tbmadeamistake · August 2014

I found this and thought it might be helpful. A lot of babies have a hard time switching. Maybe have your DH always be the one to give bottles, even when you're home? That way she'll get used to it faster. https://uclamedpeds.com/?p=819

catsinawindow · August 2014

Thank you all for your advice. I'd never thought of the soap, I am using Dove to wash the bottles as a matter of fact. I'll pick up some different/gently/unscented soap to see if it helps.

Today was better. Evidently, DH watched some videos on how to bottle feed a breastfed baby and it helped. She drank ~7 ounces in the 9 hours I was gone. Still not "enough" but better than yesterday. Baby steps...

H&H2014 · August 2014

lisagde said:
Thank you all for your advice. I'd never thought of the soap, I am using Dove to wash the bottles as a matter of fact. I'll pick up some different/gently/unscented soap to see if it helps.

Today was better. Evidently, DH watched some videos on how to bottle feed a breastfed baby and it helped. She drank ~7 ounces in the 9 hours I was gone. Still not "enough" but better than yesterday. Baby steps...

Link? We are still having the issue here.

becomingmommyagain · August 2014

Anyone who is trying to start bottle feeding, try super slow flow nipples. Like the preemie ones. Breast fed babies suck hard and can pull in to much milk with each draw abd choke. The medela stage 1 is still pretty fast. We did best with similac disposable from the hospital.

LaurelJoy91 · August 2014

I am SO happy I saw this thread. H tried to test the temp of a bottle by, of all things, dripping it on his tongue. He told me that my milk tasted like soap and that I must not have rinsed the bottle thoroughly. This has happened twice on separate occasions. I knew I was washing the bottles thoroughly and was starting to think the milk had gone bad, even though I had only pumped it a few hours ago and it had been refrigerated one of the times and frozen/thawed in warm water the second time. We use Dawn. I guess it's time for me to switch dish detergents...

TonyaCody06 · August 2014

Mine is refusing the bottle too! Actually the only one who switched back and forth easily was DD#1. The issue always stresses me out! Breastfeeding is so much easier for me but then I never get to get away from the baby b/c I'm the only way of feeding her. I wish I had tips but I need them too!

catsinawindow · August 2014

H&H2014 said:

Thank you all for your advice. I'd never thought of the soap, I am using Dove to wash the bottles as a matter of fact. I'll pick up some different/gently/unscented soap to see if it helps.

Today was better. Evidently, DH watched some videos on how to bottle feed a breastfed baby and it helped. She drank ~7 ounces in the 9 hours I was gone. Still not "enough" but better than yesterday. Baby steps...
Link? We are still having the issue here.

I'm afraid I don't know. He told me he looked up "how to give a bottle to a breastfeeding baby" on YouTube and watched videos from there. Evidently, there are some tips on how to offer the nipple to encourage baby to take it.

Rei2metse · August 2014

@LaurelJoy91‌ I've heard the "soapy" milk issue was due to excessive lipase breaking down the fats in BM. There are a few articles on Kellymom about this. The recommendation is to scald the milk before freezing or refrigerating to inactivate the enzyme if baby refuses the milk. I REALLY hope LO is refusing bottle bc of Dawn soap too, b/c I already have a freezer stash and I don't want to add another step to my pumping regimen.

catsinawindow · August 2014

Rei2metse said:
@LaurelJoy91‌ I've heard the "soapy" milk issue was due to excessive lipase breaking down the fats in BM. There are a few articles on Kellymom about this. The recommendation is to scald the milk before freezing or refrigerating to inactivate the enzyme if baby refuses the milk. I REALLY hope LO is refusing bottle bc of Dawn soap too, b/c I already have a freezer stash and I don't want to add another step to my pumping regimen.

You know, I thought this too, but then I saw that she said she had just pumped the milk a few hours beforehand. I'm not certain, but it seems like the lipase wouldn't be able to change the milk that quickly.

Rei2metse · August 2014

@lisagde‌ I'm inclined to agree with you. I tried a bottle that I pumped this AM but it didn't have much cream in it (or maybe it had not completely separated yet). Regardless, it did not taste soapy, but wasn't as sweet as last night's bottle. Maybe it had more foremilk? I've become obsessed with tasting all his bottles beforehand now…momma needs a break!

catsinawindow · August 2014

Rei2metse said:
@lisagde‌ I'm inclined to agree with you. I tried a bottle that I pumped this AM but it didn't have much cream in it (or maybe it had not completely separated yet). Regardless, it did not taste soapy, but wasn't as sweet as last night's bottle. Maybe it had more foremilk? I've become obsessed with tasting all his bottles beforehand now…momma needs a break!

Haha we'll all be breastmilk aficionados before this is through!

LaurelJoy91 · August 2014

There's never one clear answer is there... Every time I think I have figured something out about breastfeeding, I learn something new. I wish it was as easy as just sticking a boob in LO's mouth!

H&H2014 · August 2014

I have oald and have been thinking the bottle flow was too slow and she got frustrated. We bought some faster flow nipples but can't get her to suck... She didn't cry tonight though, so at least that was an improvement.

Aaward1658 · August 2014

I found "paced bottle feeding" technique to work for my baby who was refusing bottles as well. I was able to get an ounce in yesterday and today that way. Search you tube for a good tutorial. She's not any more gassy either with a good burping afterwards

QT3.14 · August 2014

If the soap is not the issue, you could try putting some sugar water on the nipple. The lactation consultant did that in the hospital to get LO to take the nipple shield so I assume it would work the same way to get LO to take the bottle.

tclayton53 · August 2014

I had a friend who would stick her pinky finger in the mouth along with the bottle nipple and then slowly remove her finger. The sensation of skin was enough to get a strong latch on the bottle.

JmeJoLee83 · August 2014

Kind of off topic but I will ask anyway.. Does anyone's LO resist burping? I've tried lots of different positions. He screams and cries if I try to burp half way through a feeding yet I can tell he's uncomfortable!

H&H2014 · August 2014

JmeJoLee83 said:
Kind of off topic but I will ask anyway.. Does anyone's LO resist burping? I've tried lots of different positions. He screams and cries if I try to burp half way through a feeding yet I can tell he's uncomfortable!

Yes, same here. Sometimes I try and burp her other times I just put her back on and wait for a calmer period.

tbmadeamistake · August 2014

@JmeJoLee83‌ Charlie resists it these days. Silly thing has such big burps I think he resists because they hurt, but they just more the longer he waits. I often hold him up under his arms so it stretches him out a bit and then sit him on my lap to do it. Sometimes also lying him on his for a few minutes helps. If I can't get it one in a few minutes I give up and try again when he tells me he is uncomfortable.

catsinawindow · August 2014

If anyone's still checking (or trying to find tips for getting their LO to take a bottle) I thought I'd share how things are going with my DD. The past few days have been much better. Yesterday she drank a full 9 oz while I was at work!

In addition to the videos on YouTube, DH found that he needed to warm the bottle a little more than he was originally warming it. He said that the milk needed to feel a little warm against his forearm for her to be happy with it. He also found that he needed to re-warm the bottle half-way through because it would start to get cold and she would refuse it again. We also switched to Seventh Generation free&clear dish soap, but I'm not sure how much difference it made. At least to DH, it seemed like warming the bottle more was the #1 thing that worked.

H&H2014 · August 2014

I'm still following. Still refuses bottle. Two weeks until we start daycare transition. She starts full time October 8th. Appreciate the tips you're posting! Thanks!

irenewslee · August 2014

Have you try a different bottle? I heard there are a few different ones out there that resemble the boob like Tommie Tippee and Comotomo. I have heard really good reviews on Comotomo but it's also fairly pricey. I have been using TT and luckily so far LO has not been very picky. Also maybe try a very slow flow? My LO tends to get really messy with the bottle because when she sucks, too much milk comes out (as compared to my boob). She also choked a few times before.

Rei2metse · August 2014

@lisagde‌ - we're having similar success here at my house. Earlier this morning he refused the last ounce of his feeding but I believe that was because he was too busy staring at ceiling fan and taking a poo (not a strong multi-tasker at this point). I'm using Dr. Browns, Tommy Tippee and the Medela bottles. LO's preference is Dr. Browns but he will now take all 3. I'm attributing the win to warming up bottles to remove the chill has along with using a diff dish washing liquid. I'm currently using Dapple dish liquid.

bigdreams24 · September 2014

thank you for all of your suggestions! I plan on trying the intermittent method mainly because thats one thing we havent tried!

Want a personalized experience?

Refusing bottle, help!

Re: Refusing bottle, help!

Married DH 7/30/11

CSC arrived 5/7/12

CHC arrived 6/2/14

Married DH 7/30/11

CSC arrived 5/7/12

CHC arrived 6/2/14

Choose Another Board

Search Boards