[ProudMommy77]

I need help from anyone who has ideas for how I can get Amber to take a bottle or some kind of nursing alternative. I've tried breastmilk, and formula in a variety of containers, and she's not having it. The best she'll get is from a sippy cup, but she shuts her mouth and refuses to let it in.

I'm going back to work in September, and I have to get her weaned soon. I'm more concerned because my husband is staying home on Tuesday with the girls for a few hours while I go to lunch with some of my coworkers -- of course, it'll happen during a normal feeding time!

Any help is appreciated.

[LeanyBean]

I have seen bottles out there that actually look and allegedly feel like a boob. Perhaps if you could wrangle some of those she'd start making the transition.


Here's a link to One Step Ahead which sells them. They are called Breastbottle Nursers.

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/...tegoryId=85207

[ProudMommy77]

Thanks Arlene. If we have to go to that, we might. Right now, my mother is going to take Heike for two nights next weekend, and we'll have to do it the hard way with Amber. If that doesn't work, we'll search out something like that. I've never seen it here in Canada, but I'm not against ordering things online!

[twinzplus3]

You might also try Dr. Brown's bottles. Usually if bubs is refusing to drink it's bc he/she doesn't like the flow of the milk. Babies are very finicky that way. That's true at the breast or bottle. But Dr. Brown's supposedly flows more like your breast would.

My second suggestion would be to just use a sippy cup without the suction/spill proof piece. It's a little messy but that might do the trick.

Oh and one more thing I thought of. . .are you around when people are trying to give the bottle? She may well take the bottle from anyone else besides you. If you're around--she knows where the real stuff is. But if you're not anywhere in sight or in ear shot, then a bottle might be just fine with her.

[MiaCamille]

I'm wondering is she refusing the bottle when you give it to her or we it's both you and dh that gives it to her, it's possible that if it's only you it's because she wants "you". If dh tries while you stepped out maybe then she'll take it? Leanybean those bottles are cool maybe they could do the trick..

[barefootbookslady]

My sister was successful in convincing my oldes to take the bottle - I hid in the other room my daughter cried and protested but my sister (the teacher) just held her and the bottle and waited until Audrey became hungry enough to try it. She was patient and consistent but it did take about 10 minutes of crying. I still marvel at how calm she was but it worked! My husband could not handle the crying and it was tough on me - she just said, " you may come when I call you" and I knew my luncheon date depended on her success! Yikes, good luck - I hope you can find one of those calm, teacher types!

[ProudMommy77]

Thanks again, ladies, for the help. I did forget to mention that she wasn't taking a bottle from myself, or anyone else for that matter. However, I think we can persist through several minutes of crying if she'll eventually take it (that's my hope when we try with her first feeding after sleeping through when she's super hungry). And my hubby will do it while I "hide".

[Alejandros Mommy]

Originally Posted by twinzplus3

You might also try Dr. Brown's bottles.

If you want you can PM me and I can send you some...Aiden is done with them and only has used the ones I bought for less then a month. They are a little pricey and if she doesn't like them then you won't have to waste the $.

[ProudMommy77]

Good news, everyone. After a rough weekend, Amber is now officially taking the bottle. My mom was a HUGE help in this. She took Amber for the weekend while Greg and I were away at a Stag & Doe to get her to take a bottle. It took about 24 hours, but she did it. Nursing is now done, although it was hard for me (emotionally and physically) -- I cried a lot, about many things -- but now she's continuing to learn, eating more solid food, and getting ready for Mommy to head back to work in a few weeks.

Thanks for everyone's advice. I did what I could, but in the end, my own mommy was my saviour this time!

[mama2riley]

I missed this thread somehow!

Glad things are going better. How have you been Annamae? It's been awhile since I've run into you! Bet the girls are getting big!