Need advice on bottle feeding a breast feed baby

[Brittny27]

I started a nanny job last week. The baby is 9 months old and still being breast feed. She pumps and leaves me a bottle in the fridge. She is also a work at home mom so she is actually there most the time I'm there. She just stays in her office the whole time.  I watch him for about 6 hours a day.  

I can not get him to take the bottle what so ever.  He takes it in his mouth then chews the nipple a little bit then spits it out and any milk that he does suck out he usually drools down his chin.  I usually try for about 15 minutes then he gets really fussy and screams. His mom usually comes out and takes him and breast feeds him.  

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can get him to take the bottle?  

I've watched lots of babies that were breastfeed and never had a problem with them taking a bottle while watching them but there moms weren't around either.

Tomorrow she has a meeting at the office she has to go to and will be gone for about 3 hours and I really hope that I can get him to take the bottle while she's gone or I'm gonna have one very unhappy baby.    

I think he knows if he refuses the bottle long enough mom will come get him and feed him.

any advice will be greatly appreciated!

[Brittny27]

I tried the sippy cup yesterday and he didn't want that either. She says he uses the sippy cup and he also will drink out of a regular cup with help if I don't mind the mess. which I don't mind at meal times.  However when I'm trying to get him down for a nap is when I need him to take the bottle.  

I don't know this lady very well she contacted me through a website where I have a profile up for babysitting and dog care.  I don't really feel comfortable enough to tell her that she needs to do something different than she is already doing.  

This is her first baby and she is still a new mom.  She's learning too.  I've already given her many suggestions on things the last two weeks.  This issue however I'm not sure how to approach.  

He's a very good baby and I'm surprised that she told me he was a very fussy baby. I really haven't had any problems with fussiness except the bottle issue.  

At times it is frustrating having her there while I'm caring for him.  I guess I'm just gonna have to wait and see how this all plays out.  Once I get to know her better and more comfortable there it will be easier to make suggestions.  

[JoyRenee]

This is one you'll have to discuss with the mother. Either she needs to set up a schedule to take breaks and breastfeed him or she needs to really focus on weaning him so he takes a bottle. Or she needs to focus on trying to get this to work for you so that she can do her work without disturbance. How frustrating this must be for you!

Because she'll be gone tomorrow you'll just have to be prepared to have a fussy baby. You could try putting the breastmilk in a sippy cup and see if he'd take it that way as he is old enough to try a cup.

[sweetangel7]

Perhaps it is the bottle/nipple itself...could you talk to the mom about experimenting with another brand?  I know this wont help you tomorrow but it is the only thing I can think of...