How do I get my 8 w.o. LO to take breastmilk from a bottle?

[HarperCait]

I wouldn't care but I have tickets to Cirque du Soleil for hubby and I after xmas for our first date out. (xmas gift from my mum). I don't think I could take the baby, so the plan is to leave her with my mum for the afternoon. I figured it would be easy to get her to take breastmilk from a bottle, but have been practicing waay in advance *just in case*. Turns out that was good intuition.

She can't suck on it properly/ pushes it out of her mouth/ gags and wretches/ screams in anger/ and eventually works herself up into hysterics. She seems to hate it, and (swear to god) looks at me like I've somehow betrayed her every time I try it.

How on earth do you get yr baby used to the bottle, in situations like this? I dunno what to do.

[Whistler]

I'd take the baby to the show.

[OperaDiva]

Try different types of bottles. My guy absolutely loves the cheap gerber bottles from target, refuses most other types. Also, try having someone else feed him when you are not there, but near (taking a short walk or trip to the store).

[PatioGardener]

If you nurse before you go, you should be fine for 3 hours. How long is the show? Personally I wouldn't push the bottles. Would your mom try cup or spoon feeding if baby was hungry?

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Different nipples with different flows. Another thing some babies will never take a bottle if mom is holding it. Have someone else try when you are not even in the house. Some seem to smell mom and refuse to even try unless you are not there.

[onlyboys]

Originally Posted by Whistler

I'd take the baby to the show.

Yep! I would too!

[kawa kamuri]

Originally Posted by Whistler

I'd take the baby to the show.

me three

[odoole]

Originally Posted by Whistler

I'd take the baby to the show.

Seriously?!? My baby would HATE all that noise, colors and stimulation. I would think introducing a bottle would be far less traumatic for her.

To the OP, I don't have any advice other than to keep trying and switch brands. It was wise to work on this in advance. Who knows what else may come up in the future (sickness, etc) that may prevent BFing. It's always good to have a backup option.

[texaspeach]

no idea. we tried three kinds of bottle, with dh offering and me not home. it just wasn't worth the battle to me. I didn't have a compelling reason (like returning to work) to use a bottle so we stopped trying. I think we waited too long but I was very concerned about him preferring the bottle to the breast. If I were in your shoes I'd try to take the baby with and wear her or nurse right before you leave if you think she'll be ok. I certainly understand your frustration.

[chinaKat]

If you are only going to be gone for a few hours, I would just nurse a lot before I left if I were you. If you leave her in the loving arms of grandma, I'm sure she will be totally fine without a bottle... but if she does seem hungry, grandma can always give her sips from a cup. My kids never took bottles and that's what we did.

Go and enjoy yourself! Many eight week olds go several hours without nursing on a regular basis. As long as you are totally comfortable with the care provider, I honestly think it's fine. After eight weeks of caring for a newborn, you deserve a little break.

[kawa kamuri]

Originally Posted by odoole

Seriously?!? My baby would HATE all that noise, colors and stimulation. I would think introducing a bottle would be far less traumatic for her.

I have a very chill baby who lives in a house that often feels like Cirque, or at least a barnyard, so...

[Twinklefae]

We had success with the Avent nipple at that age. But I couldn't even be in the room or he would smell me and want boob.