She refuses the bottle, what now?

[Nicole915]

I have a scheduled surgery next week, while not an emergency, it isn't something that can wait until my 8 month old daughter is done breastfeeding. The anesthesia used (the only option) is partially excreted into the breastmilk, so I've been pumping the past few weeks and have a considerable stash of frozen milk in the freezer to get us through the three days while my body metabolizes the remaining anesthesia.

We've only ever breastfed, she occasionally will get a bottle of expressed milk from my husband, but she hasn't had formula. She will take water in a sippy cup, but at least half of it ends up on her shirt.

This weekend, I thought I'd try giving her a few bottles, just to get her used to taking them from me. She screamed. Like I was poking her with a red hot iron. Instant fury. If my husband offers it to her, she smiles and pats his hand while drinking. Rawr!

In her defense, I think she's just annoyed and confused, she has no idea why I'm not nursing her.

Short of my husband taking the time off and staying home to feed her (I should be totally fine to take care of her) is there anything I can do to help her understand it is okay to take a bottle from mama? We're trying to avoid that, so we can use his vacation time later in the year for a trip.

Is there a way I can rig up a SNS but cover my nipple so she doesn't get drugged milk?

[eclipse]

Are you absoloutely sure about the anesthesia? Have uoi checked Hale's about it? I've always been told that it is fine to nurse after general anesthesia as soon as you feel capable of doing it.

[Nicole915]

Yep, due to some constraints, I'm not a good candidate for most of the anesthesia drugs that are on the market at the moment. We consulted two surgeons and the anesthesiologist, and have confirmation from the drug manufacturer.

[alegna]

I'd confirm directly with Hale's- IME most drs. and drug manufacturers will say it's not safe to cover themselves.

That said- you could try an open cup, little at a time. A friends' baby refused bottles and sippys and did okay with an open cup.

-Angela

[phathui5]

Have you talked to a lactation consultant?