My Daughter Is 8 1/2 Months and Does Not Want to Take the Bottle at Babysitters

I went back to work when ds was three months old. At the time he wasn't taking a bottle full stop. Got a mesh feeder and put some banana in it. Once he got a good suck going on that we could slip the teat of the bottle in. After three days he took the bottle straight on without the aid of some banana.

Best
F. B.

have you tried different bottle nipples and different flows? sippy cups and even straw cups may be a better option too. my daughter never took to a botttle but loved the sippy cup and used that starting around 6 months

Both my boys were using sippy cups at that age. It would be a great time for that transition. Could you put breast milk in the sippy cup?

Has she tried a slow flow sippy cup? Sometimes breastfed babies have an easier time with something that is less like a breast, odd as that may sound.

This happened to me with my first.

Turned out (and this is gross) the sitter wasn't refrigerating the bottles. I transported them in this little freezer pack to the sitter's, and she wasn't putting in fridge. Alternatively, she just sometimes left one out on the counter, and thought that was ok. When I approached her about it (she was sending them back) she said she thought they were formula (?) and ok to leave out.

This was a lady with 20+ years experience. We just weren't on the same page. I didn't think I'd have to specify, but glad I went through it thoroughly with her when I just couldn't get what was happening.

I have had friends say that sitter's didn't heat it up to same temp (different warming system) or not at all ...

Or maybe she doesn't get rid of the air in the bottle - some babies can be fussy.

Maybe ask your sitter to show you how she feeds her when you are still there - just go a bit early and don't feed her a full bottle before you head over. That would be my suggestion. If baby won't take it if you're there (want you to give it to her) you could just make yourself scarce so she doesn't see you and see how it goes. I agree - I'd be concerned about her cutting back that quickly.

One other thought - do you have some routine where she takes bottles fro you? Like do you rock her or sit with her before nap or anything? Because sitters will (understandably) have to change things up from routines you had in place. It takes a while for little ones to adjust. Could that be it?

Good luck I hope you get it figured out :)

ETA: If you've been breastfeeding and she's not used to bottles - I would try different bottles. I had to go through 3 types of nipples (right flow, the ones that felt most like a breast, etc.) before we got one they liked. Playtex I believe is what we ended up with in the end with the disposable liners.

this is extremely common in that age of infant -- usually it is when they are getting new teeth, other times it's just a nursing strike type thing
Have the provider keep trying, and try a cup as well, and if that doesn't work mix the breastmilk into infant cereal and feed extra cereal till those teeth pop through and the strike is over. I literally see this in almost every infant that comes through my daycare.

I read all the replies before my post. I was curious what new mom's would advise you to do. All good suggestions. Have you considered she has been home with you for her 8.5 months of life? Since it is only recently this has been happening my thoughts on this are she has just had her life turned upside down. She doesn't know anything except you get her up dress her and bring her to a stranger everyday. Did you not think there would be some fall out from having her routine pulled out from under her? Have you consulted a doctor because the weight loss and being sick could be totally unrelated to this. I'd start there and give time to get used to the whole day care thing. If taking a bottle from a virtual stranger is surprising it shouldn't be. Even babies want to show you that are not to happy right now with your decision to leave her. It will pass the whole bottle thing. Give it time as long as you see your doctor first & rule out anything else. I am wondering do you feel guilty leaving her after 8.5 months? If so she is probably feeling your not sure so how can she be.

First I have to ask, did you mainly breastfeed at home or did you give your daughter a bottle and also nurse? Because that will make a difference.

It sounds as if your daughter is experiencing stranger and separation anxiety due to the changes. I suggest wearing a shirt and giving it to your daycare provider to drape over her while feeding your daughter. This will trick your daughter into thinking that you are near and allow her to bond with the provider and feel comfortable to take her bottle. If that doesn't help then try a sippy cup. I hesitate on suggesting this because your daughter has experienced enough changes at the moment and switching her to a cup would be just another addition to her anxiety, but it's worth a shot. Besides she should be moving in that direction anyway. Remember you need to try her with the cup at home first, before giving it to the daycare provider. Your daughter may reject anything that the provider is trying to do at this time because she's not a familiar face in her world, yet.

Keep in mind that you and the provider should be on the same page so if you are doing something at home that works share it with your provider as it may work for her as well. And vice versa.

But give your baby some time. Due to her age it will probably take her at the least 4 weeks at the most 8 to get accustomed to the new person, change in schedule and routine. In the meantime give her provider enough table food that your baby is still being nourished. If you are still nursing in the am and then at night she will get what she needs nutritionally. If you are concerned about hydration ask your provider to give your daughter water during the day.

Good luck to you and the provider. I hope these suggestions help.

Ty you all for all your response.