My daughter Autumn is almost six months old. She will not take a bottle. I need
her to take a bottle soon. I will start graduate school and my husband needs to take care
of her two nights a week. It seems as though she does not know how to suck on the nipple
of a bottle. I have tried avent, playtex nurser and regular playtex nipples. Before she
would have a fit, now she nibbles or chew with her gums but doesn't do much sucking.
Its worse if I try. When my husband tries, she takes a little (if its juice). She will
drink a little from a cup, but this is very time consuming. What else can I do. She only
weighed 13 pounds at last weight check. She seems little, but she is fed on demand.
Including during the night also. Is it ok if when she does fully take a bottle, I want to
give her juice and similac. I don't get very much milk out of my breast when I pump except
around 8 a.m., I can get four to five ounces. Please answer soon. Thank you.
 Before I try to answer your question about feeding Autumn while you are at
school, I feel like I need to ask you about her weight. You said she weighed 13 pounds at
her last weight check. Can I assume that she was very small at birth? My only reason for
concern is that you said she "seems little." Has her weight gain been
consistent, and is your doctor pleased with the progress? Has she grown in length and in
head circumference? If the answers to these questions is yes, then that is great!
Otherwise, please let me know....
Since Autumn is almost six months old and you are only going to be gone two nights a week,
you may want to consider just introducing a cup instead of the bottle. Initially it may
take a little more time, but shouldn't after a little practice. Cup feeding (using little
medicine cups) is actually used to supplement premature breastfed babies. A baby doesn't
even need to be able to suck. All she needs to do is swallow. Tell your husband to try
sitting Autumn upright on his lap. If she is upright, and he goes slowly, she will not
choke. Put a towel or bib under her chin, and tilt the cup to her lips. At first he may
have to pour a few drops into her mouth just to show her what is in the cup. She should
soon get the idea. You do not need to keep tipping the cup--just hold it to her mouth and
let her set her own pace. He may want to experiment with using your expressed milk and/or
juice to see which she does better with.
You didn't say how long you will be away. I would assume it will not be longer than 1-2
feedings. However, you need to take into consideration what you will do for comfort also.
Are you planning to pump at school?
Another thing to think about is solids. Since Autumn is about at the age when you will
be introducing solids, while you are away at school might be a good time to do that.
Autumn will need less milk during that time period if she is getting some solids also. If
you would like to keep trying the bottle, here are some suggestions which were printed in
the Summer 1990 Medela "Rental Roundup":
1) Have someone else give the bottle. Many nursing babies won't take a bottle from mother.
One of the best people to give a bottle is an experienced bottlefeeder. Besides her
experience, she has confidence, and conveys that to the baby as she presents the bottle.
2) Gently stimulate the mouth with the nipple like is done for the first nursing at the
breast. Let the baby "mouth" the bottle nipple and become familiar with it.
3) Some babies prefer breastmilk in the bottle; some prefer something other than
breastmilk. If it's an occasional bottle, consider apple juice (diluted with water),
water, or something else.
4) Try different kinds of nipples. Cut more or less holes in the nipples. Some babies
like a premie nipple because it's so soft.
5) Try varying the nipple temperature. Put it in the refrigerator (teething babies like
this), or run warm water over it.
6) Use lots of cuddling by the sitter.
7) Some babies take a bottle better in the nursing position. Others do better in a
totally different position from nursing. Try propping in your lap with the baby's back to
your chest. The baby will see the room while drinking the bottle (don't forget eye contact
later); or prop the baby on your slanted forelegs, like in an infant seat, and give the
bottle while looking at him.
8) If may be best not to give the baby a bottle when he's starving. Anticipate.
9) Try to feed while moving rhythmically, calming the baby and distracting him from the
different nipple.
10) Try putting the bottle in the baby's mouth when he's asleep.
11) If all else fails, try doing without a rubber or silicon nipple. Use an eyedropper,
spoon, medicine spoon, training cup, (The InfaTrainer by Sassy is a good cup to try).
Premie nurseries outside the USA have used Tupperware bowls. A rocking action, back and
forth, helps give the baby liquid in this way. Then, when mother and baby are together,
frequent nursing helps satisfy sucking need.
I hope this information will help you. Good luck on your studies!
Cher Sealy, RN, BSN, IBCLC, LLLL
Follow-up to above:
Thanks!
I really appreciate the information. I forgot to mention that the doctors say her
weight is fine. She weighed 7lbs8ozs at birth. I only weighed about 118 at conception. My
other daughter is almost four and weighs on 27 pounds. Before the cup, I will try the
premie nipple and see how that works.
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