You are breastfeeding your child but you have to go back to work soon and you are wondering what to do ? Has your baby always been bottle-fed, but for some time now has been refusing it? Among the other causes of refusal, which can appear at any age, we could talk about changing milk, minor childhood illnesses, teething, digestive problems, the fact that baby is getting tired of the bottle because he is growing up, asserting himself and wants to switch to solid food... So how can we meet his nutritional needs without this tool that we consider essential? The first question we can ask ourselves is: does baby refuse the teat or the bottle?
In general terms
If baby refuses the teat or you do not wish to give him a bottle, you can useother containers such as the needleless syringe, the lactation aid (known as the DAL), the Babycup, the spoon, the fingertip for the very young, the spoon bottle, the bottles for older children, the Softcup, the straw, etc. Your child may also have a preference for the composition of the teat (silicone, rubber, etc.), the shape or size. Remember to choose a low flow rate for the teat, in the early stages, to avoid the risk of choking, which could prevent your baby from accepting the bottle.
If bottle-feeding is rejected, consider offering it through a relative so that baby does not smell his mother or her milk if he is usually breastfed. Perhaps baby prefers cold milk or rather warm milk? Try changing the temperature of the milk.
If you are weaning your child, it is best to change only one element at a time: first offer a bottle with breastmilk, then increase the ratio of infant milk to breastmilk to end up with a bottle with infant milk only gradually.
Prior to dietary diversification
If your child refuses the bottle even before diversification, it is important to know that there may be pathological causes for this: food intolerances or allergies, tongue or lip brakes, inadequate sucking, eating disorders, etc. In order to rule out or confirm this, you can seek help from a lactation consultant or a health professional specialising in paediatrics. In this article, we will instead continue to talk about non-pathological breast or bottle refusal.
During and after feeding
A quick reminder: from the age of 6 months, it is recommended that a child should consume at least 500ml of milk per day or the equivalent in calcium! For children in the process of diversifying or diversifying who refuse milk, I will give you these famous milk equivalents. 150 to 180ml of infant milk provides as much calcium as plain whole milk dairy products such as 1 yoghurt (125g), 1 fromage frais (100g), 2 petits suisses (120g), 1 faisselle (100g) or 30g of cheese...
You should also know that some mineral waters provide calcium. However, limit consumption to a few dozen millilitres per day so as not to overtax babies' kidneys. Oleaginous fruits (almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashew nuts, etc.) also provide calcium and their essential fatty acid content is interesting. They can be added in powder form to baby food or pureed directly onto toast.
Vous pouvez enrichir vos préparations (soupes, purées, plats, compotes, desserts…) avec quelques cuillères-mesures de lait infantile en poudre (ou liquide ou de lait maternel, si cela ne liquéfie pas trop votre préparation). Vous avez également la possibilité de faire de la béchamel pour agrémenter vos plats et des desserts à base de lait comme des yaourts maison au lait infantile acheté directement en bouteille (ou à défaut du lait entier UHT), des desserts lactés type semoule fine au lait, riz au lait ou bouillie de céréales infantiles avec du lait et de la fleur d’oranger, de la vanille ou de la cannelle par exemple. Pour les plus grands ou dans le cadre de la diversification alimentaire menée par l’enfant (DME), pensez à faire des crêpes, des pancakes, des muffins, des biscuits… avec du lait infantile !
I insist on breast milk or infant milk because it has a real nutritional value: low protein intake, presence of essential fatty acids, source of calcium and iron in the case of infant milk!
If you substitute milk with all the tips given in this article, don't forget to keep your baby well hydrated alongside. Indeed, breast milk or bottles provide a significant amount of water. Don't forget that this refusal is often only transitory, it is essential not to force it and to respect your child's appetite . Always bear in mind that meals should be a moment of pleasure and that perseverance rhymes with patience!
Dietician - Nutritionist specialising in paediatrics
