Source
r/breastfeeding•
Susie_M

Please help...Need baby to take Bottle ASAP

I'm sorry if there are already 500 posts about this or if this makes no sense. I've had a horrible past few weeks and am kind of frantic right now. It's a long story, but I've been struggling with inconsistent letdown for the past two to three weeks (ironically, the stress this creates is making things even worse). I have good days, during which I let down multiple times per feeding, then bad days where I miss a feeding or two because of this. Today has been awful, because I've only let down for one feeding, and it's already 4 PM here.

I'd feel a lot better if baby would at least take a bottle to make up for what she's missing, but I haven't had the need to introduce one until very recently. Right now, she's upstairs, screaming at DH while he tries to get her to take one, and I hide on another floor. We've tried a Comotomo and Avent bottle, to no avail. We're trying to feed her pumped breastmilk (although I don't know how long that will be an option, because I'm not letting down for the pump either), but she keeps shoving the nipple out with her tongue and screaming.

My heart is breaking, and I'm an anxious mess. Can anybody help?

ETA: Baby is 10 weeks old. We were EBF, no problems, until the letdown issue started a couple of weeks ago. I know it's not just me not feeling my letdown, because I've weighed her to check. She's had enough diapers today (she will often drink up to six ounces at a full feed and we've managed to force her to take an ounce or two twice today from the bottle), but I'm so scared, ugh.

Posted Nov 24, 2016, 12:23 AM UTC · edited

314
TerwaAnne•

Check the bottles she's screaming at... does it smell or taste bad? Our daughter did this and it's because I produced excess lipase and didn't know it. She was screaming because something was wrong with the milk and she was trying to tell us. This might not be your issue, but it's good to rule it out early.

Regarding nursing, putting baby to the breast even when you don't think she's getting anything is what you need to do. Over and over. Trust baby and your body to do what they need to do, especially if you're getting enough wet diapers. Stress will definitely affect pumping, so try to relax and take baby's lead. If she won't take the bottle, try to nurse. Let her suck as long as she wants, regardless of if you feel a letdown or not. Hang in there mama. You are still early in this journey and things are getting sorted out. Growth spurts, supply regulating, etc. are all happening right now for you.

4
Susie_MOP•

I'll check the milk we tried to give her earlier today and see how it smells/tastes. And thanks for the other suggestion as well - I just spent all evening in bed with her, letting her nurse without any expectations. I let down several times, so she definitely got some food into her, thankfully. It's so much easier in the evening, when she's okay with just hanging out and comfort nursing for a long time if necessary. During the day, she's way less patient, which is super stressful for me. I appreciate the support!

2
LucyLegBeard•

What makes you think you are not having a let down?

3
Susie_MOP•

I usually feel it quite strongly when it happens and can see/hear the change in her suck/swallow pattern. I'm not noticing either of those things today, and when I weigh her, she's getting way less than she usually does (e.g., an ounce, compared to up to 6 ounces when I do let down).

1
SubtleSweet•

Ice been going through this for the past few weeks with my 12 week old. I've tried every bottle and every trick... I finally realized she didnt like this foreign object being forcibly shoved into her mouth without her understanding it! So, I introduced a bobble with about an oz or two of breastmilk in it as a toy during her play time and she has been getting to know it. Over the past three days, she's begun to chew on it, play with it with her hands and even bring it to her mouth! She hasn't drank much yet, but it's a total transformation from even four days ago. I always give her positive reinforcement when she sucks or chews on it and let her be done when she's done. I hope that helps! It's seriously the only thing that has worked for me.

3
HappyRoobee•

If you're getting appropriate diapers, are you sure your just starting to not feel your let down? Is your baby nursing well?

Have you tried leaving the house when Dad is trying trying to bottle feed? I've heard that can help.

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Susie_MOP•

Most of the diapers were from early in the day, after a night when she'd eaten really well. Im definitely not just starting to not feel let down, because I do feel it and can see her suck/swallow pattern change when it does happen. Her latch is a little shallow at times because of OALD issues early in our nursing, but she generally has had no problems getting plenty of milk out until all of this letdown nonsense abruptly started a couple weeks ago. I just spent all evening lying in bed with her nursing and know she got something to eat a few times, thank goodness. I just wish I could trust that to continue. It's easier to relax and just let things happen when she's drowsy. I'll try taking a walk the next time DH attempts the bottle. Thanks for the suggestion.

2
cathy_sull•

Give Dad a shirt that you wore so he can drape it between him and baby when trying to feed her. Also I've heard from other moms whose LOs struggled with bottles that they had better luck with the Dr. Brown and Playtex bottles. My little guy was on a bottle strike for about 4 months so I know your pain. We didn't get it figured out until he went to daycare and ended skipping bottles and going right to sippy cups! Hang in there!

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Susie_MOP•

Thank you for the suggestions and support. I'll try those!

1
hoggersying•

So sorry you are going through this. I have also struggled with letdown issues (as well as bottle refusal). And it is so stressful. Unfortunately I don't have easy answers for you. I had some success with trying to condition letdown by singing the same song every time we nurse (see http://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/letdown for details). But mostly I just needed to destress (easier said than done) and trust in my body.

As for bottle refusal, my LO is back to refusing bottles after daycare previously got her to take them. So I have no advice other than to keep trying...

Good luck. Internet is rooting for you.

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Susie_MOP•

Thank you - it does help to hear from someone who knows what this feels like. I hate knowing the milk is there for her and just not being able to relax enough for it to be available. It makes me feel so frustrated with my own body. I'm going to keep reminding myself that one way or another, she won't starve, whether she's getting food from me or from the bottle (albeit reluctantly). I'll just keep trying to stay calm and offer the breast and then the bottle if necessary and keep praying this works out somehow. I hate anxiety.

1
hoggersying•

Yeah, it's a vicious cycle b/c you are stressed, which affects letdown, which makes you more stressed. But you know the milk is there. Just try to remind yourself of that, and know that the milk will flow too. Breathe! Good luck!

1
Cheerforernie•

I used to be a nanny and gad to help a few babies transition to bottles.

Temperature of the breast milk was super important... basically have it as warm as is safe for baby.

I would give the bottle a break and then reintroduce it very gently, when she's just starting to get hungry. Maybe use a finger to wet her lips a bit with breast milk to give her the idea then tease the corner of her mouth super gently with the bottle and try to wait for her to "latch" onto the nipple of the bottle. If she screams/cries or otherwise rejects take it away and try again in a couple minutes or s

Good luck!

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obliquely_run•

Munchkin latch size 2 has worked best for us. (Size 2 is for 3 months +, but it's the only thing he would drink from at all.)

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