baby wont have bottle,help

[harryruby]

hi everyone would be very greatful for any tips or advice to help me with my ickle babes. my daughter is 12wks old and iv been bf her without probs. but has she is now sleeping through the night when i wake in the morn i have to express has my boobs are so full. when me or my partner come to give her the bottle later in the day she wont take it,shes only happy having milk straight from the breast. please give me some ideas on how to introduce the bottle because i dont want to be bf forever. thanks x

[bookthief]

You won't be breastfeeding forever - honest! Plenty of time to introduce a bottle. You could freeze the milk in the meantime so you get a bit of a stockpile and it's not wasted.

If you can't be bothered keeping up the expressing when she's not taking it, your breasts will learn not to get so full overnight within a few days if you stop pumping (tis v. clever!)

[McEdam]

Agree freeze the excess, then you can add it to her food when she's weaning (mashed potato/cereal etc.). Bookthief is also right about your body adjusting to her sleeping through.

Dh worked out how to persuade ds to take a bottle - after much hoo-hah he finally thought of wrapping the bottle in a bra I'd worn so ds recognised the smell of milk. Only worked if dh gave him the bottle when I wasn't around, though, if I was there ds was very indignant about the mere suggestion of a bottle! Worth a try.

[harryruby]

thanks for replys,defo going to try the bra trick McEdam

[McEdam]

let me know if it works, dh will be thrilled.

[Catilla]

Mine (now 20wks) was similar, but I just offered a tiny bottle twice every day (between feeds, when she was in her happiest mood) and in less than a week she realised it was good for drinking... and was upset when she reached the end!
I did have to be patient though, and get used to giving up and throwing away precious milk when she decided the answer was No.
Have now decided to keep expressing in the mornings, and offer a bottle at least every other day and freeze the rest so I'll be able to go out occasionally later.
Good luck.

[harryruby]

hi all. Ruby had some bottle today after using ur advice Catilla,it was still a struggle but we got there. going to do the bra thing tomorrow McEdam (didnt have a bra which had the milk smell on it,has they had just been through the w.machine). got a fab supply in the freezer on the go. keep you posted! thanks for replying x

[Catilla]

Well done harryruby. Mine was a struggle too for the first few times but by persisting every day, even twice a day, we got there very quickly.
Fingers corssed for you.