[PrairieTide]

Last week was my first week back to work. My dd is four months old, and she's going to daycare two days a week this month. Next month, she'll start going to daycare three days a week.

The little darling is not taking a bottle very well. She drank two ounces the first day at daycare, and even LESS the second day in daycare. We've tried lots of different bottles, feeding positions, techniques, etc. She will take a little from a bottle, but she just prefers to nurse.

Even though I know she can get the nutrition she needs by nursing other times of the day, I think she would be happier at daycare if she were eating more while she is there.

I've considered introducing solids just to help her have a better time while she is at daycare. This is earlier than I intended, but I hate to see her having a hard time while she's at daycare. Any advice?

 

[alegna]

There is NO WAY I'd consider solids in that situation. 4 months is far too early for solids.

-Angela

 

[Geofizz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alegna There is NO WAY I'd consider solids in that situation. 4 months is far too early for solids. -Angela

Rule 1: Feed the baby.

Let's see if we can work together to figure out the best way to address the problem. First, what's the basic problem? Is she too distracted to bother to eat? Is she content, just not eating what you'd expect during the day? Is she miserable and wanting to nurse -- don't gimme that bottle?

I guess with not taking much during the day, my primary concern would be dehydration, especially during the hot summer. Solid food won't help that. See if you can get her care givers to offer the bottle at different times and in different situations. Can they reduce distractions? Can they offer her a bottle right as she's waking from a nap? Can you try different bottles or even a cup or sippy? Might it be possible to visit a few times (or even once?) a day to nurse?

You may also just need to give it time. It's a big change for a baby, and it may take her a few days/week to get used to the new routine.

 

[bauchtanz]

My DD wouldn't take a bottle from 9 weeks when she started daycare until about 5 months old. I was going there over my lunch hour because she wasn't gaining weight. As long as your DC gains weight, I would not worry about her missing some nursings. It is too early to start solids.
I would have the provider keep at it.
Try it really really warm, try it cool, try it anyway you can. My husband even uses the boppy!

 

[bluets]

my ds would take a bottle but would only drink 1-2 oz per sitting. he ended up reverse cycling for most of his first year. i still have 2 gallons of milk in the freezer. i used to work my evenings and nights around nursing and plan on doing nothing but nursing. i even made the decision to not discourage night nursing even though i needed the sleep - i just got really good at nightnursing so it isn't a problem.

i would trust in your dd that she will tank up at home and it will sustain her all day. as a pp said, if she continues to grow, you shouldn't worry about it.

introducing solids too early also introduces potential problems down the road with food allergies (and really, you do not want to go there).

 

[lauren]

Has the dcp tried syringes (without needle of course) or cups or eyedroppers to get her to take in some EBM while you are away? Different nipples? Some babies will automatically accept a different nipple or bottle system while rejecting another. Good luck!

 

[sohj]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geofizz Rule 1: Feed the baby. Let's see if we can work together to figure out the best way to address the problem. First, what's the basic problem? Is she too distracted to bother to eat? Is she content, just not eating what you'd expect during the day? Is she miserable and wanting to nurse -- don't gimme that bottle? I guess with not taking much during the day, my primary concern would be dehydration, especially during the hot summer. Solid food won't help that. See if you can get her care givers to offer the bottle at different times and in different situations. Can they reduce distractions? Can they offer her a bottle right as she's waking from a nap? Can you try different bottles or even a cup or sippy? Might it be possible to visit a few times (or even once?) a day to nurse? You may also just need to give it time. It's a big change for a baby, and it may take her a few days/week to get used to the new routine.

Yes.

 

[kerc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geofizz You may also just need to give it time. It's a big change for a baby, and it may take her a few days/week to get used to the new routine.

Yes! In my case three weeks. Loooong weeks for dh (who was home with babe).