problems getting DD to take milk not from mummy

[SickOnMyShoulder]

My DD is nearly six months old and started at the childminder a month ago as I've returned to work part time (although currently from home.) Every day I send her with a bottle, and every day I pick up a sad, hungry baby 4-5 hours later, and an untouched bottle. We've tried Avent, Tommee Tippee and Playtex, so far no luck. I feel like I'm torturing DD and myself, and I'm considering cutting down my hours further and keeping her at home. Any suggestions for how to get her to take a bit of milk not directly from me?

Have you tried a sippy cup or open doidy cup instead of a bottle?

good luck, DD first took milk not from me at 14m and that was choc milkshake. i'm sorry i have no answer as i couldnt get my dd to either at that stage

Is it EBM in the bottle?

Only tried EBM in the bottles, working on the basis that changing the mode of feeding and the contents would be too much, would it be better to try with formula? I would prefer not to wean completely if possible.
MoonUnitAlpha, I've not tried a cup, we have a Doidy from DS but I imagine it would be very messy and go down far too fast, she's very grabby. Not tried a sippy cup. Would that not be the same sucking problems as a bottle? Is there one you can recommend for very small babies? DS only moved onto a cup aged 1 and a half, to my shame.

Sick, not got much advice as my DS never took a bottle, but I've heard some Mums say that using a spout in the bottle instead of a teat works also the cup is a good suggestion as is trying formula. You could buy a couple of ready made cartons so as not to waste your money on full tubs.

Is she taking any solids yet? Just wondered as if you bf before dropping her off and then bf again when you pick her up she might be a bit happier if she takes some solids whilst at the childminders.

Also, do you work 5 days a week?

Others always suggest the Breastflow teats that you can get from Amazon? Good luck!

Sick (love the name!)
Obviously I can only go on my own experience but the reason for my question was that I had a similar experience with DD. Wouldn't ever take EBM from a bottle (tried several teats) or a cup.

The first time I offered her formula - at about 7 months in preparation for returning to work - she wolfed the whole bottle and never looked back.

I was fortunate in that it didn't affect other breastfeeds and we moved from one bottle a day to 2/3 (can't recall exact timings) and retained the evening and morning (and night!) feeds for many more months with no problems with engorgement or supply.

Hopefully it's clear that I'm not "pushing" formula here. I made the decision for myself quite early on that expressing for nursery wasn't something that I personally wanted to do. But if you were open to trying that you may find that your DD is the same as mine? Worth a try?

PS DS is 6.5 months and currently another bottle refuser. Will be interesting to see if responds in the same way!

as an alternative to cutting your hours, if your childminder is close enough could you visit for a feed at any time? This might keep you and your DD happier but allow you to keep your hours the same, if that is what you'd prefer.

Other than that, I'd suggest a cup at 6 months, not a bottle. My DD started with a Tomme Tippee first cup at 4 months (she is breastfed) and could drink from it unaided at 7 months... not that she ever drank large quantities at that age - but she would drink some. I found an open cup such as a Doidy didn't work for us until she was older (as she wanted to take control of the drinking, so it was too messy!) but it does work for some.

Thanks everyone, that's really intersting Anton, I don't mind trying with formula, was planning on weaning by 6-8 months, but then she went on bottle strike! Will also try the sippy cup idea, thanks for the recommendation Island.