He won't have a bottle - please help...

[AnnaK]

Ds is now 7 months and after a really tough time with it, I want to stop breast feeding. He used to take a bottle but is now refusing it from both myself and dh when I am not around (breast milk and formula). I have been recommended trying him with a spout and though I don?t hold out much hope, I am going to get one today and give that a go. How do I do it if he doesn?t want a spout? Is going cold turkey the best way?? I am getting desperate as even though he is now on three good meals a day, he still wants breast milk every two hours!! Please help.

You'll find lots of advice on this on older threads if you have a look through the breast and bottle feeding section.

You should be able to go straight to a cup at this age. I wouldn't recommend any of the spill-proof ones (e.g. AnywhereUp cups), it's too hard work for them to suck! We use Kids on the Go cups - the liquid drips out if you tip them up. There are lots of options.

You may well find he just likes feeding and nothing will be quite the same as far as he's concerned. But if you are unhappy and want to start reducing feeds, at 7 months this shouldn't be a problem. He doesn't need to feed every 2 hours. Try giving him finger foods if he seems hungry between meals.

By that stage I think I was doing 4 feeds a day, plus meals. And I carried on feeding dd till she weaned herself at age 2. But it's all a question of weighing up what will make you happy, and what fits with your routine and lifestyle.

Thank you, Pidge. I posted this in desperation and then realised that this is a fairly common problem! I just want it to be over now as I am suffering from quite bad (requiring medication) joint pain and I am fed up with being constantly required. An evening off would be nice sometime. Yes, I sound selfish but I have a very clingy baby who will not go to anyone else and I was hoping that if I am no longer regarded as a food source he may choose to go to other people. I would love some time to myself!!

AnnaK, we were having this drama recently and so I tried the NUK bottle as it has a flatish teat and therefore simulates the nipple. I then had a trial run with the childminder and he took the bottle with breast milk - but not formula. Until this week when he decided he didn't mind that either.

I hope you find something that suits you - it is all such a trial and error . . .