I HAVE to feed past 6 months and I feel a little sad

[greeneone12]

I know you will think I am horrible for saying that but because DD won't take a bottle I have to feed her past 6 months even though I wanted to stop now. I always thought it would be my decision but it isn't.

I have started purees and she isn't feeding loads in the day but I would love to leave her with grandparents for a while, and they would love to have her too!

None of my friends will be feeding past 6 months and I just wish I had the choice. I must sound terrible and sorry if I do. I just feel as if DD will never get used to a cup as when I try she looks at me like I am putting the worst thing in her mouth. It's free flowing but we don't seem to be getting anywhere

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.

Just to add I do know how lucky I am as DD is thriving, great weight and loves BF. It's just funny how often things don't turn out how you expect.

I understand. :)

Would you find it easier if you concentrate on morning and evening "main" feeds (especially as she gets a bit older more towards 12 months).

I went back to work when dd1 was about 10 months and she was very tricky about drinking unless it was breast milk. We gave her plenty of wet foods.

You probably could leave her for a few hours (I would). If grandparents offered wet foods such as yogurts or fruit then even if she flatly refused a beaker/bottle no harm would be done. She may be more inclined to have a few sips from a cup if you are not there?

WHy are you the one trying to give her alternatives? You need to take yourself out and let your dp or parents do it. Very difficult if you are there otherwise.

I would love to do morning and evening feeds....I would be so worried going out and leaving her. I just can't see her ever getting used to a cup. Just feel like I am trying her everyday for nothing! I don't want it to get past the point where she won't have ANYTHING other than breastmilk but don't know when that cut off is - if that makes sense?

Keep at it with the cup - at this age it seems like nothing's happening, and then suddenly they crack it and look at you with a "well of course I can do it" look.

That said, most of my friends stopped at 6 mo, I fed dd until 20mo, and am still feeding ds at 18 mo. Never meant to, just never really got round to stopping, and don't regret it. DS doesn't get milk during the day as he never liked any other kind, but drinks water very happily. As your dd's food intake increases you'll be able to leave her with people so long as you can get her to take water - sometimes other people offering can help.

Good luck. It won't be forever!

At the moment when we try a cup she just spits it all back out again...how would that be any different if I weasn't there? Given up with the bottle as she just won't have it.

The thing is, when they're so little it's hard to imagine them ever doing the "milestone" activities -you can't imagine them crawling and them suddenly they're off and out of your sight...

Well, it might be different as with you she knows there are alternatives, iyswim? What are you offering? Expressed milk or formula? Changes of brand and /or temperature can be key.

I felt the same with dd but I managed to go to work fine at 5 months. When I was out, she took a bottle fine from dh. I would go back to trying with bottles but not be there.

Mine wouldn't have a bottle until I went cold turkey and went out for the day and left him with DH. After 6 hours he cracked and took it, then never looked back.

I wish I'd done it sooner in hindsight, but the 'nice' approach just wasn't working.

6 months is still really young to drink from a cup. I felt the same as you when DS was that age - I enjoyed bf'ing him but desperately needed a break yet couldn't see a way to make that happen.

Fast forward a couple of months and he was drinking enough water from a cup for me to be able to send him out with DH for the day . And now, at 10.5 months he can quite happily cope without me for a day and it's bliss! But, a few months ago I honestly never thought it possible.

Just keep persevering with the cup, you don't have to get anyone else to do it instead of you, your baby will get the hang of it eventually I promise.

You may not wish to try this but it worked for me. We gave dd1 fresh juice but very watered down in a cup. (she liked the sweetness). Once she was used to the cup she then accepted other fluids.

Other people have had success with a doidy (open) cut - google it. :)
Some babies prefer these to teats/spouts

Or possibly a straw? (but she may be too young for that)

After 6 months breastfeeding does get much easier though - I normally feed my 8 month old 4 times a day now, and although he drinks water from a cup if he's with his dad for the day he'll often refuse milk from a cup and just wait til he sees me again.

I would try leaving her with her grandparents for the day. Either she'll decide milk from a cup isn't that bad after all, or she can just have food/water and feed when you're back.

I should add that I've never tried a bottle with DS or even any milk - expressed or formula. When he's with me he drinks water at mealtimes from a cup and breast feeds the rest of the time but if I'm not there he quite happily survives on water. He eats reasonably ok but not the biggest eater but doesn't seem to miss the milk. He does make up for it when I get back though!

Thanks all...really kind and useful info. Part of me wants to leave her for a day but we are only just 2 weeks into weaning so would feel bad letting her go hungry for my own selfish reasons.

Why don't you just leave her for a couple of hours? a short break can be good - go for a bike ride/haircut/swim/see a film - anything to just clear your head and refresh you. dd won't be hungry, you'll get to relax and be off duty, and take it from there as weaning prgresses.