Urgent advice sought for transition from breast to bottle

[gingerninja]

My friend has just returned to work and her 6 month old has been exclusively bf up to this point. She has tried her with bottles on occassions but has been unsuccesful. Anyway, the first day at childminders her LO didn't feed at all, second day nothing, third 2oz. My friend bf her in the morning and evening but her lo has started to feed more during the night and sleep during the day, obviously because she's not feeding during the day. Has anyone got any advice?

Apparently expressing is out of the question because she has a long commute, husband works all hours and demanding toddler means she has no time. Any advice would be gratefully received.

Oh yeah, and she's not really on solids properly yet either. She has been taking a little bit of puree but very little

wish I could help having same issue with ds3 who didn't feed at all on Wednesday and Monday and Friday afternoon, luckily i don't work full time but had bad night with him Wednesday dh trying to get him on formula today he's not having any of it.

If it was me I'd probably give her a bottle outside feeding times as a 'toy' cos they put everything in their mouth so its a non-pressure time to explore it and get used to it so it becomes familiar.It must be very disturbing for her to have a weird rubber thing shoved in her mouth when she's hungry! Also I'd put an easy flow teat on it when it is feeding time so the milk is really easy to get at.

I breast fed mine for a few minutes and then took her off and popped the bottle in and she ws fine - having previsouly refused all attempts.

it did take a while but worth a try.

I've had the same thing happen with my LO. I've been breastfeeding for nearly 12 months now and have tried all ways to get my LO to take a bottle and cup but so far without success. He thinks a cup and bottle are things to bite and play with! I think the longer you breastfeed the harder it becomes to change to the bottle. The only other way I can get him to take any fluid is with a spoon or plastic syringe. He took a bottle occasionally up till he was three months old but after that it became impossible. The only thing he will drink from, apart from a spoon, is me.

Personally, I'm fortunate in that I can stay at home and continue to breastfeed my son as I know how much he enjoys it and how upset he would be if I suddenly stopped. I hope your friend finds a way to deal with this.

Many thanks for your advice, will pass it on. It's made me panic a bit about mine too. I do want to be able to go out without her at some point!!!!!!