DS won't feed during the day...

[eza]

I started back at work this week, 3 days (Mon, Thurs and Sat)

MIL gave bottles during the day and now he won't feed from me. Bed time and during the night feeds are fine, will have 5am feed but anything after that he won't. Only from a bottle I thought he would get over it, but he has been like that on all my days off. We have given bottle before and it didn't affect breastfeeding.

Any advice on what to do to get him to nurse? I tried the "if he is hungry enough he will feed" trick but he gets more frustrated (tried for 20mins), then after a bottle he is fine.

[Olive]

can MIL give his milk in a sippy cup or out of a normal cup?

[eza]

I will get a sippy cup and try one. Not sure how she would go with a normal cup, could get messy!! lol

[*EJ*]

The sippy cup is a good idea, something that can not be related to the breast at all, your DS wil be able to work up to feeding himself and then there shouldn't be any confusion. Depending on the type you choose you may need to take the 'anti spill' thingy out so they get used to it being a way to get milk because they don't always catch on to needing to suck it for a little bit. Once they realise they get a drink from it and they learn to suck the spout you're good to go. That's just from my expereince with learning to use sippy cups.....

[HotI]

what size holes do the bottles have? if you use a newborn teat (i think they are the smallest holes) bub will still have to work to get milk from the bottle like he has to from the breast. the ABA has a couple of brochures from grandparents and carers on the breastfed bub. they have some tips on feeding ebm. i like the sippy cup idea too.

Australian Breastfeeding Association - A Caregivers Guide to the Breastfed Baby

Australian Breastfeeding Association - Cup-feeding

When you are home, i would only offer the breast. There are some tips here on relaxing bub and mum that can help.

Australian Breastfeeding Association - Breast Refusal

[eza]

Thanks for the links Hot1 The relaxing tips really helped! Especially rocking him in my arms and feeding whilst walking around, then sitting down.

I haven't changed the teats on the bottles, still have newborns. Hopefully his fussiness will end soon. Although it must get a bit confusing for him. Mummy away one day then home for two, then away again etc..