Going cold turkey - please help

[Excited85]

My dd is 11 weeks and I was meant to start back work part time after New Year. However, she has completely refused every bottle we've tried for the past month or so having been exclusively breast fed since birth. Health visitor suggested just going cold turkey and hopefully she'll crack, so I last fed her at 3pm. Since then she has screamed and cried at the bottle and only taken 3oz at 8.30pm for MIL. She was in a right state so I went in and calmed her down and have just managed to get her off to sleep but am not sure what to do now. 3oz in 10 hours isn't a lot and I'm worried we'll make her ill. Am thinking of trying to feed her in her sleep to see if that works, but if not how long do I let her go without taking anything? Will she really just take to the bottle as soon as she's hungry enough?

I hate this, I feel like such a horrible mum making her so upset but I need to get back to work for various reasons. Has anyone any advice?

I am rather sleepy but just wanted to say don't feel awful about this, you are returning to work for the overall good of the family. Re dropping BFs I would definitely recommend getting other people to do it rather than you, otherwise she will be v confused and frustrated. Good luck

Thanks, I keep trying to tell myself that but is heart breaking listening to her cry. We're at PILs, I'm trying to keep out the way while MIL and dh try to get her to feed but they aren't having any luck. Tried a dream feed but she just ended up screaming. Have got her back to sleep again now but am conscious it's been nearly 12 hours since her last 'proper' feed and can't help feeling like I'm starving her as I could just give in and give her my breast, but not going back to work would leave us in financial difficulty. I hate this and wish I had ff from the start rather than put all of us through this.

I really feel for you, it is a horrid situation but please try not to beat yourself up about it. As a friend of mine always says, 'it is what it is' - try to be pragmatic if you can and don't let guilt take over. You've given her a great start BF for as long as you practically could. Have you tried asking your HV to come over? I will see if I can find any links, or hopefully my post will bump your thread and someone who knows what they're talking about will be along soon

Previous MN thread - people suggest trying a cup

Here's another thread, people suggest things like walking around while giving bottle, sitting baby in bouncy chair, playing soothing music...

Hope some of this helps