QUESTION: My baby has always refused to take a bottle since birth, and refuses to take juice or milk from a sipper cup. About a month ago I tried to wean her to a bottle and did not nurse for 26 hours. During that time she refused to eat and so I finally gave in. My husband's work is taking us to Australia in three weeks and taking the baby is not an option. I am desperate - I have been trying to wean for two months now, and it breaks my heart to see her suffer. Any solutions?

 

Dear Lisa,

You have plenty of time left to remedy your situation, so don't panic. Getting an older baby to take a bottle requires patience and persistence. Also, you should not be the one trying to do this. A baby who has always gotten her food from mom will be terribly confused when mom all the sudden is trying to change things! You can see how important this is to your baby emotionally! Get a friend or family member to help. Do this at a time when your baby is not starving. No one wants to try to learn something new when they are really hungry. They just want to eat. Mornings are usually best. Have this person offer the bottle. If your baby fights, stop, and try again in 15 minutes. Trying different nipples can help. Have you tried the Avent or Munchkin? Many women have reported to me that their babies would not take a bottle until they discovered these. Sometimes putting the nipple in the freezer first can help--or warming the nipple in hot water.

You will probably need to try this on a daily basis for a while. If, after repeated attempts, the bottle just doesn't work, why not just use a cup.? Small medicine cups are often used to supplement newborn breastfeeding babies. Sit your baby upright, tilt the cup to her lips, and let her drink at her pace. I have found that most older breastfed babies do like the cup better than a bottle. Now I have a question for you and something for you to think about. You did not say how long you are going to be gone from your baby, but I assume it will be more than 24 hours.

You said it breaks your heart to see your baby suffer, so I'm wondering why you are leaving her. You said your husband's work was taking you to Australia. If it is your husband's work (and not yours), why do you have to be there? And, if you do HAVE to be there, why can't your baby go? If it were me, I would certainly insist that, if I HAD to be there, then my baby would HAVE to come too. Your baby has no way of understanding why you are gone. Please realize that this is only MY opinion, but I just want you to think about it.

Good luck--I hope everything works out for you!


Cher Sealy, RN, BSN, IBCLC, LLLL

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