Expert: ruth kraft - 12/19/2009

Question
I recently went back to work and my 3.5 month old really hates taking a bottle.  We've tried all manner of bottles and methods and can sometimes gets 1oz, maybe 2, down him during his feedings.  His schedule during the day is like this:  Breastfeed 8:15am, Bottle 10:30am, Breastfeed (lunchtime) 1:30pm, Bottle 4:30pm, Breastfeed 6:30pm, then bedtime.  He gets up at 10:30pm, 1:30am, 3:30am, 5:00am to eat.  Sometimes he gets up less.  The two bottle feedings he barely eats and I think that's why he's up all night.  I worry because he'll go sometimes five hours during the day without eating hardly anything.  Understandable he is extremely irritable and angry for the babysitter most of the day because he is hungry.  It also prevents him from being able to take good naps which exacerbates the problem.  Any advice?

Answer
I also had a son who refused bottles so I can relate :) My suggestions would be, try a sippy cup instead of the bottle. he is old enough ( seems crazy ) to take it, but you have to train him to do so. take the filter part out so he starts to realize that your brestmilk is in there, and then when he gets the hang of it , you can put it back. you can also have the baby sitter feed it to him on a spoon or in a small kids cup. where she holds it, and then turns the cup just a bit for him to get the food. Once he gets a hang of it, it will be much easier ;) try those and see if that helps. I would also give him a bottle to play with. Put freshly expressed milk in it, maybe an ounce, and let him explore it alone. freshly expressed milk can last 8 hours before its refrigerated, so he will have plenty of time to play and see if he will start using it on his own. You can also practice at home, get a bottle for yourself and fill it with water ( or whatever makes you happy ) and practice with him. Kids learn by watching US do things, so he may mimick you :)