Bottle refuser, goes mental at the mere sight of a teat

[DoubleHelix79]

My 15 week old DD not only refuses to take a bottle, she goes mental at the mere sight of a bottle.

She took bottles of expressed milk in the evening with no problem until about 8 weeks. Then DH no longer had to do the first nightshift (incl. feed) and we let it slide for a few weeks.

We've tired different temperatures, different teats, feeding when she's just a little hungry, feeding when she's very hungry, nighttime feeds. Makes no difference at all.

I leave the room and sometimes the house, so it's unlikely that she can smell me.

We've also tried formula, in case my expressed milk is no longer to her taste.

Any creative ideas? It's starting to make me feel trapped and slightly resentful, and I'm starting to worry about her going to a childminder at six months.

Doidy cup?
Straw cup?
Soft spout cup?

donkey thanks for those suggestions. I'd assumed she'd be way too young for those, but I guess it's worth a try. She can grasp things but wouldn't be able to feed herself yet.

I've seen really tiny babies grasp the idea of a straw. Which is a bit boggling!

That sounds amazing! I'm on Amazon right now...

Some good suggestions above.

With DD1, however, I had to start work FT when she was 10 weeks and she wouldnt take anything. Eventually I had to leave OH to look after her without me or my boobs for a morning and she eventually took a bottle when she was really really hungry. Never had any problems after that but apparently it was really hard for OH as she really protested hard before accepting it.

My ds all used doidy cups when little but would not take much from them. I found they would have a bit to tide them over then wait for me to come back. Ds1 was a terrible feeder in the day from 4 months even breast feeding. Far too distracted. He just fed loads at night instead!!!

Thank you both

spanneroo - I'm half hoping that will happen.

lorisparkle hopefully she doesn't shift her feeding towards the night - she's such a great sleeper at the moment... (looks worried)

At 6 months you will be starting weaning so feeding and drinking will start to change anyway. Once mine were sat in the high chair they would drink more out of a cup so I would not worry too much about when she goes to the childminders. Children often behave completely differently with childminders than with parents as well!