Baby won't take a bottle

[eatsleepeatrepeat]

DS2 is almost 3 months old, breastfed, and will not take a bottle (expressed or formula). He was taking a bottle a couple of times a week at under a month, but we got out the habit and the last several weeks he's just refused every attempt!

He's also a terrible sleeper (wakes every 30mins-3hrs all night) so I'm getting very little sleep and am just exhausted.

Feels like we've tried everything but any tips or advice would be helpful 😞

Hi @eatsleepeatrepeat sorry I don't have much advice, but I just wanted to reply to tell you I know how you feel, as I was in your position 2 years ago. My little girl never took a bottle, and I ended up continuing to breastfeed her (she is still breastfeed now at just over 2) it was SO tough and I think contributed to poor mental health and PND.

The only piece of advice I would probably give to you (and my former self) is make a decision, stick to it and be persistent. If you really want to get them to take a bottle regularly and consistently, decide which bottle your using and stick with it. (I bought and tried about 10 different types of bottle out of desperation and it just made things worse!) It will be tough and they might be upset in the short term, but will you find it even tougher continuing to take all the responsibility of feeding by breastfeeding?

If you don't end up getting them to take a bottle, and continue to breastfeed just know that it will get easier in time. (I know it's hard to believe when your in the thick of it). From my experience I found it got significantly easier from about 9/10 months and the time between each breastfeed got longer and longer.

Good luck!

Hi @eatsleepeatrepeat just wondering what you've tried so far? Have you tried going out and leaving him with DH/DP?

Do they put a T-shirt that you've worn over their shoulder when they try and feed LO?

Have they read this article from Kellymom?

This is my exact situation 😔! I'd love to know how you got on xx