quick clicks

babies today articles

babies today q&a

toddlers today articles

toddlers today q&a

breastfeed.com articles

breastfeed.com q&a

community & groups

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

Expert Q&A

	By Ann Calandro BSN, RNC, IBCLC Lactation Consultant

My baby is 14 weeks old and I have been breastfeeding her since she was born. I have recently returned to work and am trying to have my husband and our nanny give her bottles of expressed breastmilk during the day. The problem is that she absolutely refuses to take a bottle. She will go eight or nine hours without eating until I get home. I am concerned that she is not getting enough to eat and that she will get dehydrated.

Our pediatrician says that she will eat when she gets hungry enough, but it has been almost a week. She nurses fine when I am home. In fact she nurses almost constantly from when I get home until she goes to bed. Any suggestions to get her to take a bottle? We have tried everything! Thank you in advance for any and all advice.

Your baby is very attached to natural feeding -- she likes breastfeeding and doesn't understand bottle feeding. This happens frequently. In fact, it happened to me when I went back to work with my first child, so I understand.

Here are some of the things that other families have tried. Try all kinds of nipples, slow flow, long, different-shaped ones. She may prefer one to another. Some babies like to face outward when drinking a bottle, since turning chest-to-chest reminds them of breastfeeding. Other babies like being turned chest-to-chest to drink the bottle. She is unique and will figure out what she likes.

Or your caregiver can use a cup to feed her. She is old enough to drink from a small cup (not a sippy cup). Pour your milk into a small cup (a shot glass or medicine dosing cup works well) so it is full. Hold it to her bottom lip, without pouring it, and let her lap the milk. Even newborn or premature babies enjoy drinking this way. A few ounces every few hours will keep her hydrated and give her food throughout the day, and this will ease your mind. If your caregiver uses a cup, remember to use a receiving blanket to help wrap her arms down as she is learning, or she may accidentally spill the milk all over herself.

It is a compliment to you that she waits to eat. She really enjoys the closeness and love she receives as she eats. However, it can be quite the worry for you while you are away, wondering if she is OK and if she is full and happy. Some babies take their long stretch of sleep during the day, and end up doing lots of catching up when mom is home. If that suits you, she is content, and growing well, that is another option.

Let us know if any of these options work for you. If not, write again. You might also attend an evening La Leche League group and talk to other working nursing mothers for additional suggestions.

Also see Breastfeed.com's articles Helpful Hints From One Nursing, Working Mother to Another and You're Not my Mother: Introducing a Bottle to a Breastfed Baby for more information on combining working and breastfeeding.

View more Q&A by this Expert