HELP! He won't take a bottle or pacifier

[angel41510]

I have a 2 month old son that I breastfeed and he refuses every type of bottle, nipple, pacifier. I've spent an unusual amount of money to see if he would take it but no luck. He rejected every single type of feeding method. I would like him to take something so I can run errands, go back to work or just even take a break without worrying if he's hungry. Any suggestions?

[Bec caV]

I can't help with the pacifier... but with the bottle, I've been there.

I've been rather lucky my son was always able to switch back and forth between the breast and the bottle. He did go through a period of not wanting the bottle though.

First thing you can try is having someone else give him the bottle when you're not in the room for him to see you. Often they won't take the bottle when they know you're around, so another person can give it to them. He might get used to the bottle that way.

When my son went on his bottle strike, I took a bottle with me when I went to put him to bed. I let him nurse for a few minutes until he started drifting off, then I quickly replaced the breast with a bottle. Since he was half asleep he didn't care where the milk was coming from (I also do this with the pacifier, though he still won't go to sleep or quiet down with the pacifier, he does suck on it sometimes). After a few tries with that he went back to being happy with the bottle.

Now, as far as nipples go, every baby has their own preference. However, the Soothie nipples worked best for me, I was told this is because it's more like a real nipple. Now he's using Evenflow nipples, he seems to like those. He doesn't care much for those premolded, flattened on one side, ergonomic whatever nipples on his bottle, but he does like texture. The Evenflow ones aren't textured, though I think he may like those because the flow is supposed to be controlled by the baby's sucking, not just a constant flow, which is how the breast works.

[angel41510]

Ok I will try that. I have the Soothie pacifier & he will play with it but won't suck on it. I just bought the Soothie bottle so wish me luck. Thanks for your response!

[yaykatrina]

Angel, did you ever figure out a solution to your problem regarding your baby not taking a bottle or pacifier? I am having the same issue, I am back at work and my husband has to bring our baby to work every two hours to eat, it is so stressful and I don't know what to do. We spent a ridiculous amount of money on bottles and nipples and pacifiers too. Funny thing, she used to take the bottle in between breast feeding, she used to suck a pacifier. All of a sudden, no more.

[_army_wifey_]

I'm with you, my dd won't take any kind of bottle, she every blue moon takes a soothie paci but can't get her to take the soothie bottle...

[lismom2]

Here is a link to alternative feeding methods if your child won't take a bottle :)
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/alternative-feeding.html
Hope this helps :)