Re: Going back to work, Please Help
Are you there when the bottle is offered? Neither of my DS's would take a bottle when I'm around.
Babies are different. My first son would take milk any temperature, but liked a particular bottle. My second wants it warm, but doesn't care what bottle it's in. I've heard some babies don't like silicone nipples, so maybe try a latex one? Will he suck on your finger? Sometimes sucking on a finger to calm them and then swapping out to the bottle can work.
I know it's very very very difficult advice to take, but most babies get the hang of it. A lot of time, all it takes is patience and creativity (my older son didn't like taking a bottle being held like he was breast feeding. My DH figured out that if he held him looking out at the world, sitting up on his lap, he was willing to take it. I'm not sure I'd have figured it out if I was around.
I would keep trying, and keep reminding myself that the baby won't starve to death. Sometimes, cup feeding of syringe feeding works, if you run out of all possibilities with bottle feeding. Also, remember that some babies sleep through the night at this age, and physiologically the baby can go several hours without a feed. This may mean that the baby reverse cycles and wants to chow while you are around, but as long as you don't limit access to the breast, he'll be fine. My 4 month old isn't a huge fan of the bottle -- will take enough but not a "typical amount" during the day, and feeds frequently through the evening and night. It's making me tired, but it's working for us.
I know it is so hard to go back to work, and there are so many worries, and being able to provide nutrition for your baby while you are gone is so huge. But please keep the faith. You will work it out.
Ellen
Mama-surgeon;
DS Ethan 12/16/2008
Breast fed/pumped 11 months as a surgical resident, 80 hours a week at work
DS Abram Daniel 12/20/2012
Feel like we've gotten a strong start