Expert: ruth kraft - 10/26/2009

Question
If I was able to be a stay at home mom it wouldn't matter that my 4 month old son won't take a bottle anymore. This has been going on for about a month 1/2 now (he used to take it NO problem) and causes great stress for the grandmothers that watch him when I work (3 days a week). He also is a snacker and I still feel like I breast feed as much as when he was a newborn. Which makes it really hard to actually do anything other than stay home and feed him. He also uses me to fall asleep which is ok with me (for now) but I just want to make sure its an ok thing to do- I want him to be able to put himself to sleep eventually and don't want him in our bed forever! Should I be forcing him to self soothe? He won't take a pacifier nor does he suck his thumb. Any help would be so appreciated

Answer
You can try a sippy cup. He might be refusing the bottle because he feels everyones tention about it.  Or, give him the bottle and let him snack on it. let him play and drink as he wants.  and see if that doesnt take some tention from the situation.  My guess is he will go back to it after a while, ot he may like the sippy cup better :)  

Snacking babies are hard to deal with at times. I had one too. every 45 minutes they nurse for 3 mintues and they are done... he will adjust as time goes by to the new schedule. hopefully it wont be much longer.

Yes, nursing him to sleep right now if very good for him. I promise he wont be 7 years old wanting to nurse to sleep.  :)  He will learn over time, that he can go to sleep without it. but it can take some babies 18 months. some longer, some alot less. Every baby is different.  Forcing him to self sooth is impossible right now. Many people think that a child less than 18 months old is able to be independant. when you teach them to self soothe "to be independant" you are not actually teaching that. You are teaching him, that he cannot count on you when he needs you...  up until he is 18 months at least, he needs that nurturing and caring. that doesnt mean no boundries.  If you are ok nursing him to sleep, I encourage you to do so...it is good for both of you :)