Have I left it too late to introduce a bottle?

[ColdTeaAgain]

My baby is 14 weeks and we have just start trying her with EBM from a bottle. I didn't start earlier as had a rough start to breastfeeding and read that introducing too soon could lead to baby refusing breast so was very worried about that happening as I went through a lot to keep on breastfeeding!

Now I really want my partner to be able to help with feeding so started offering BM in a bottle. Sometimes she plays with it and takes a in few mls but usually gets fed up and starts crying wanting the breast. If we try a bottle in the evening it really upsets her and thats the time I most want help with feeding

Do we just keep trying or did I leave it too late? Please help!

Definitely have not left it too late.I got mine to take bottles at 7months after EBF.Keep trying.
I know you want help with the night feed but you could try a bottle in the afternoon when less tired so she gets used to it.
Otherwise easiest thing is to get partner to do it at night so can't smell you.
Does it have to be EBM that you give her?If it is sleep that you are after sometimes a carton of formula works wonders..
I think at this age the breast thing is not just about food,it is comfort as well so this is why it may be hard at night.She may need to suck something else like thumb or dummy.
Keep going though,it is very tiring at the beginning but in another 10weeks she can have solids and often sleep massively improves anyway.

Try a different style bottle if you can. I went through about 3 before I found one that DS would take. I think I introduced a bottle of ebm at about 4 months. We also found the slow flow teats better. I think we ended up with Tommee Tippee ones. It did take a few goes before he would take it. I waited until he was quite hungry one morning but not tantrum hungry.

My LO will take a bit of milk if she has to from a bottle, we had most luck with Medela Calma and 'Breastflow' (from amazon) for EBF, or the SMA ready made formula with disposable teat. She prefers boob though.

To be honest, I don't need to be apart from her and now have her off milk overnight from 8pm to 6am (often longer, but thats the minimum) so have stopped persevering. We had to use bottles when I left her in Daddy day care for a few courses I did earlier in the year, and we did use bottles of EBF in the early days when she was slow to regain birth weight.

We use a doidy cup for water now she is weaning - she didn't like or get the hang of the zippy cups you have to suck from. I imagine at a pinch she would have milk or formula from that, but it might be messy! (Doidy cup was from john lewis cost about £3 so may be worth a try too for you?)

oh meant to say - maybe offer boiled cooled water in the bottles/cups or whatever to try and get her used to them? you can play with them without too much mess that way.

Thanks for all the advice glad to hear there is hope!

Its not so much a sleep issue for me, its more about being able to get a break from getting the boob out every evening and to be able to leave baby with my partner or the grandparents occasionally! Without have rush around madly so I'm back before hunger strikes!

She definitely uses it for comfort as well and I always feed her to sleep at night.

My LO is 5 months and was ebf until 2 weeks ago. It took us a while, but we got there. I start giving him a bottle after his bath. After 2/3 nights he knew he was getting a bottle, and took it without too much fuss.

Keep persevering with it, and she will get there. My LO is now taking bottles thru the day, and is bf at night & first thing in morning (my choice).

Still with it and she ll get used to it