4 month old not eating for 9 hours while i'm at work.....

[melon]

He will not take the bottle. He can, and he has. I work 3 nights a week, and last night was the 2nd time I came home to find he drank NOTHING. I nurse him right before I leave, and sometimes he will take the bottle and suck down 6 oz or more, sometimes 3-4, sometimes none. His caretakers (Grandma, Daddy) are patient and do everything they can. I am gone for 7-9 hours.

I am worried about him going so long w/o milk....I am considering starting rice cereal or something, so he will at least get some milk in him.

Thoughts? Advice?

[isabchi]

Are the caregiver try to feeding in a breastfeeding way?  Also, They can have one of your  shirt o a scarf close to your baby, so he can smell to you. Another option is cup feeding, spoon feeding or a dropper instead of a bottle.

[seraf]

My DD wouldn't take a bottle while I was a work when she was 5 months and up. Is he eating plenty when you're home?

I would encourage a cup if he will take that but babies can sometimes go without eating overnight.

[PatioGardener]

nak

at 4 months my baby had to take medicine that I has to mix with breastmilk. I got him to take it out of a tiny open cup. That may work for your LO too.

[mandrews18]

I feel your pain!  My dd is the same way and has been for a while.  The pediatrician told me not to worry as long as she has plenty of wet dipes and is making up for the missed feedings when with me....and she is...all.night.long.  Like your son she might take 4-6 ozs and sometimes nothing at all. Daycare still offers several times a day, hoping she will take it.

So yes, I am super sleepy and trying to find a bottle/nipple combo that she will take during the day so I can get a little more consistent sleep.  Try a cup- my dd isn't interested but lots of babies do well taking milk from a cup.  You could try a little cereal to keep the tummy fuller but don't be surprised if your little one isn't quite ready for solids.  I would have dad or grandma make it extra soupy and give it when you aren't home to tide baby over.  

My dd wants her bottle really warm- its the only way she will take any at all.  I guess its pretty warm when it comes out of the breast so it makes sense.  Make sure dad and grandma try different temps to see what he likes.  He might want it cooler because its different from momma too.

And maybe he is like my daughter and just wants momma.  In that case it may just be that you will have to nurse right before you leave and again as soon as you get home.  

[etsdtm99]

i would not start cereal at 4 months for this - you can try breastmilk from a spoon, breastmilk slushies .. or if baby is not upset .. don't worry about it .. if he was sleeping 9 hours at night at 4 months that would be fine - just make sure he has enough milk the rest of the day to make up for it..