My 5 month old only wants bottles

[Alanasmom]

Received a suggestion from a 'Mamasource' member to post here to see if I would receive some good advice. I've seen a good lactation consultant with helpful advice, but am still looking for a magic bullet to get my daughter back to the breast. I've been back to work for 2 months now, and ever since then, she will only take to my breast for the 4AM feeding. Now, even that feeding is getting to be difficult. She turns her head away and cries, until I give her a bottle, then she's as happy as a clam. The consultant thought that maybe I have too much milk, and provided the analogy of drinking from a firehose. She only receives my pumped breastmilk, and I more than keep up with her demand. I've been doing skin to skin as much as possible these past couple days, but due to my working schedule, time together is limited. Thanks for any advice and support. How long do I keep trying before I throw in the towel - I really want this to work, but can feel the frustration building. Thanks!

[alegna]

I would not make bottles a choice while you're available. If she absolutely will not nurse you could try cup feeding, finger feeding, syringe feeding etc (check www.kellymom.com for info on those and other alternate feeding systems)

good luck!

-Angela

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I agree with alegna. When you are there offer her the breast only and if she refuses just keep working with her to take it and if it dosnt work then do the finger, cup or syringe feeding.

[Koloe]

Along with above suggestions, try different positions that would reduce the milk flow/force while nursing. Such as you laying on your back and baby on your tummy nursing downward. Or YOU sitting upright with baby "standing/sitting" with head level to your nipple. The "theory" is that the baby won't be below the nipple with the full effects of gravity rushing down on her.

Now the other theory with bottle preference is that the baby actually gets the milk FASTER with the bottle and wants to keep getting the faster feeding rate. If this is the problem, then try getting a nipple with a smaller hole in it. It's often suggested you put a newborn nipple on the bottles vs a more age appropriate one. Another option for this problem would be a SNS to get her interested in the breast again. You can use EBM in the SNS.