Does anyone have any advice on getting a baby to drink from a bottle? I'm not new to this but this (second) time around I'm more stumped. Here are some details:
I've been trying the bottles occasionally for several weeks, starting at about 4 weeks old. He's now about 10 weeks. I've tried various nipples, different flow rates, different positions, feeding in the swing while swinging (this may sound crazy, but it's what did the trick with my older one), different milk temperatures, different levels of hunger, different times of day, dripping some milk, not dripping some milk, different people, waiting a few minutes, hours, days, etc, etc. This with mom's milk, not formula.
The reaction is pretty much the same every time. Mouthing around the bottle. A few half-hearted sucks, but without really sealing on to the bottle, so no real suction. Then, serious freaking out.
Our one sort-of success occured when I poked a bunch of extra holes in the nipple, thereby making the flow rate much faster than normal. Then, everything went more or less fine. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to repeat this success since.
It was a huge pain to get my older daughter (now 4) started as well. Changing to a different brand of nipple was what did the trick. No such luck this time.
Mom goes back to work in a few weeks, so it would be really nice to get this sorted out before then. I am picturing myself spending all day with a screaming hungry kid. Not fun.
Help!
P.S. Yes, go ahead with the jokes if you must....just please give me some ideas too :-)
Joined: 2006-10-31
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