I went back to work this Tuesday after three and a half month maternity leave. It was worse than I expected. I missed my ds so much and work was a mess. What made matters worse is that my ds wouldn't take the bottle while I was gone. I've been giving him the bottle as well as breastfeeding so that he can be used to it for when I'm gone but my mom tells me he keeps refusing it now. Today's the third day and he's been eating only about 4 ounces during a 10 hour period each day. He's not crying or fussy. Just won't take the bottle. I bought the AVENT bottle system last night after recommendation by his nurse but that too didn't work today. I tried again when I got home but still no luck. I ended up breastfeeding him because he hasn't eaten all day. He eats well at night and in the early am and has a good number of wet diapers but it CAN'T be good for him to eat so little during the day. Has anyone been through a similar experience? Any advice?

By Melanie on Thursday, June 5, 2003 - 11:03 pm:

(((((Hugs)))))))

I am sorry you are both having a hard time with this. Have you seen this bottle before?

http://www.amazingbabystuff.com/BreastBottle.htm

I don't know if it would help or not. My only other thought would be to give him a shirt of yours or something that you have worn that smells like you as he is eating. That may make him want "the real thing" even more, but perhaps it would offer him comfort enough to eat.

I wish I could be more helpful. Good luck.

By Trina on Friday, June 6, 2003 - 07:07 am:

I was also going to suggest the Breast Bottle. How old is he? My only other suggestion would be to try different sippy cups. My DD never took a bottle no matter what we tried, but she could drink from a sippy cup at 5-6 mos.. I was happy to have that option! Let us know how things work out. {{{HUGS}}}

By Ginnyk on Friday, June 6, 2003 - 07:08 am:

Here's a link to a bunch of articles from LaLeche about working mothers and breast feeding. I quickly skimmed the articles about the baby not taking the bottle, and some of them may help you.

http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBworking.html

By Feona on Friday, June 6, 2003 - 07:27 am:

The only thing I can think of is to have the baby brought to you at lunch for his meal. (I actually know someone who does this.)

By Mommyathome on Friday, June 6, 2003 - 10:54 am:

That's a good idea Feona. Just meet up with him during your lunch hour, or you breaks throughout the day. It might be a pain in the rear, but it would be better than him not eating anything all day.

Good luck
((((hugs))))

By Tunnia on Friday, June 6, 2003 - 03:14 pm:

Maybe your mom is holding him in a different position than you do. I have watched a friends little girl since she went back to work at three months postpartum and the baby was breastfed and I simply held her in a breastfeeding position and gave her the bottle and it worked like a charm. Sure my shirt got a little wet so I learned to put a cloth diaper between me and the baby and that problem was solved as well. Hope that helps at least a little.

By Tklinreston on Saturday, June 7, 2003 - 01:20 pm:

I took off work on Friday so that I could be around to breastfeed just in case my ds still wouldn't take the bottle. He refused it three times during the day and so I breastfed. Well... my mom decided to try again in the evening and guess what??? He took the bottle rather easily and drank about 3 ounces w/o any fuss. He's done that in the past on occasion and so although I don't want to get my hopes up, I feel alittle more hopeful. Everyone always says to me, including my mom, "no baby is going to starve themself and will eventually eat if they are hungry". Well, from reading postings on the Laleche website Jinny was kind enough to post for me, this is not the case. It seems that there are babies that just won't ever take the bottle. If things don't work out, I'll have to increase his feedings during the night to make up for the day and have my mom drive him over to my office as often as possible during the week. My office is about 40 minutes away so this will be pretty hard on my mom. I'll keep you updated. Thanks for your support!