How do i get a relectant DS2 off the boob?

[TattooedGrrrl]

Any ideas?

He's 6.5mths, and i had a great deal of trouble breastfeeding him at all- he wouldn't wait for milk to come in, had to feed him formula from a spoon until it did. I also thought i'd have to give up because his latch was (and is) not 'right'.

But now he won't give it up! I am very proud to have got this far, but i want to stop now.

The morning before last i offered him a bottle as his morning feed, but although he was hungry, he chewed the teat and hollered until i gave in and breastfed him. Yesterday afternoon he ate a good amount of lunch and had 5ozs from a bottle, but then wouldn't drink any more, got v miserable until again i gave in a breastfed him.

i think sometimes it's more comfort than hunger sometimes- he sleeps in bed with us, and i've noticed he latches on at night for just a minute sometimes, then going back to sleep.

Any ideas? PLEASE!

[Danz]

Tattooedgrrl
Can't offer you any help but am in the same boat but mine if four months I am desparate to get back to work properly run my own business but cant leave my DD with anyone having a nightmare...Would be very interested in any help too

[onepieceoflollipop]

Just a couple of thoughts. Would your ds take a bottle off anyone else rather than you? He may well be holding out for (in his eyes) the "real thing". I had this with my dd, she was snuggled up next to my breast (under my clothing) and was a little put out to be offered a bottle instead. dh and friends don't have a problem with her accepting a bottle from them.

Also he may prefer a cup - perhaps a doidy cup? Night is possibly a different issue, my dd has always had a dummy so we give her that in the middle of the night, but by 5-6am she is desperate for a b/feed.

[Pidge]

TattooedGrrrl - at 6.5 months I'd be tempted to skip the bottle completely and just go for a cup. Not that that will necessarily help you - but he might be keener.

Danz - not an option for you - I went back to work at 5.5 months first time round, and it took me 3-4 weeks of offering a bottle every day, and having it rejected when dd was about 4.5 months old, before she finally took to it. Pick a time when she's not too tired, and not starving, and just keep practising. I used to put on music, hold her in my arms and spend 20 minutes walking up and down, offering the bottle every few minutes. Plus I was expressing the milk, and having to throw it away every day!!!

What a palaver - with dd2 I just didn't bother - went back to work when she was 10 months and avoided the whole issue! And hoping to do similar this time round!

[Danz]

Thanks Pidge, I have tried getting other people to try but she just kicks off now she even sees the bottle and starts screaming, no tears just temper, I have been trying every day with different bottles and cups to try and get her to take it since the start of April, but will keep trying I guess. I have a 2 year old as well who is getting pretty fed up of the whole thing too. I very tempted to stick my heels in and not feed her at all is that cruel ?