I want to stop....

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I need some help, I've exclusively BF my 5 month old which to be honest was not my original intention. With my first (who is now 2) we gave him one bottle of formula a day from being around 3 weeks old. When it came to weaning him from me at around 6 months we had no problems at all.

This time however my 5 months old will not entertain a bottle (and I've tried alot). We gave also tried most things recommended, leaving the house etc etc and nothing works and we've been trying for weeks.

I had only planned to BF for 6 months (again as with my first). I tend to have big babies for my small frame and feeding in public is already becoming less discreet and a little uncomfortable, I am also desperate for a night off however he is still a bit unsettled at nights and I fear if I go out he'll wake and want a feed but not take a bottle so will scream the house down waking all in his path!

Any ideas anyone, I've tried a cup, letting him play when he's not too hungry, tried when he's starving etc?!

i had this problem too, I only wanted to breastfeed for 6 months and was struggling in public etc. Tbh though iv given up on the idea of given dd a bottle, she point blank refused to drink milk from anything other than boob, even tried with expressed milk, she is now just over 6 months and having 3 little meals a day, breastfeeding is so much easier as she only has 3 feeds a day 4 at the most and sleeps pretty well. I can work my trips out in the day around her feeds much easier and I can go out now and leave her with oh in the evening, i think aslong as im no more that half an hour away the oh can comfort her untill im back, although that is only if its desperate times, oh will generally be able to get her back to sleep without a feed!
If you are desperate to stop bf though i think perserverance is the key, I know people who have done it, I think choose a feed that you want to drop and stick with it, dont offer anything else untill the next feed and hopefully lo will eventually take it!
hope this helps!

This is really helpful thank you! Part of me feels like I shouldn't be stopping as I count myself as bring so lucky to have being able to BF when I have friends who have been desperate to but struggled. I don't really know of anyone who has had the same situation so are quite blasé when I try and talk to them about it:( hubby is a great support and knows I'm desperate for some time off especially after two rounds of recent illnesses between the pair of them however he doesn't understand how all consuming it feels at the moment. My mum suggests getting him on food ASAP and whilst I'm keen I had planned to go down the baby lead route (much to her dismay!) so really need to wait another couple of weeks. I think perseverance is they key like you say but easier said than done sometimes!

Sorry iv only just seen this reply! It is easier said than done im with you on that one! I keep toying with the idea to stop breastfeeding aswel but im not sure im strong to see it Through if she puts up a fight! Im just waiting to see what happens with her feeds when shes eating abit more and go from there really, the way shes going at the moment she'll only be feeding at night, she is becoming less and less interested during the day! I started her weaning before 6 months, only by about 3 weeks, because she was desperate for food! I started giving her pureed fruit and veg but now shes older im changing and going more for the babyled approach! she loves feeding herself aswel, I think its fairly easy to mix abit of both! Its easier to know shes actually eaten something when i spoon feed her but I give her something to feed herself with at the same time so she gets the best of both worlds!
It is completely all consuming when you are breastfeeding or just being a mother in general, I think it comes to a point when you have to think about yourself and the rest of the family as well as the baby! You've given lo an amazing start so you should be pleased with what you've done regardless!