Will I have to bf forever?!

12 replies

duffster · 12/04/2008 22:54

DS is 6 mo, and I can;t believe I am still bf'ing. Had HV trying to get me to top up with formula at 3 weeks, sore nipples until 16 weeks, clamping, biting, distraction, etc etc - but I swore I would make it to 6 months .
But now I would like to wind down at least one or two feeds a day and give a bottle. If nothing else, I would like to go out with my DH for a night (surely not too much to ask!)
Trouble is, I have been SO good at bf, ds refuses a bottle - just nibbles on the end. He had a few bottles of expressed over the months and always guzzled it bit now just isn't interested and seems to want to comfort feed more than ever.
I have tried a doidy and sippy cup but he only takes a little, certianly not a full feed, barely an ounce.
Sarted weaning at 24 weeks so he has a couple of meals a day and about 5 or 6 milk feeds
Any ideas?

OP posts:

SparklyGothKat · 12/04/2008 22:57

I used NUK bottles, have you tried
them? They are very similar in the way the baby ahs to move their mouths to get the milk out. The SCBU nurse recommended them to me, because i couldn't get Callum to take a bottle

thisisyesterday · 12/04/2008 23:00

duffster, firstly well done on getting to 6 months
you can go out with your DH, do not despair.
you may well find that ds takes a bottle fine from someone else if you aren't there. of course it is very hard for him not to hold out for the real thing if he knwos you're around. breastfeeding is about so much more than just nourishment- he wants that closeness he gets with you as well.

but, if he is with someone else it'll be different. and they can use a cup or whatever they need to if necessary

Cattymum · 12/04/2008 23:02

Well done for making it to 6 months with bf!

Have you tried different bottles and teats? I used the Tommee Tippee breast to bottle for DD, other mums I know who have had similar probs have used those old fashioned flat shaped rubber teats.

Cattymum · 12/04/2008 23:04

And just read thisisyesterdays post... babies always know when you are in the house... clever little things! DD would feed happily from a bottle when I was out of the house, as soon as I walked back in, she'd howl for the breast

Original poster

duffster · 12/04/2008 23:12

DH has tried to feed him but he just looks over his shoulder to find me. Cute eh?
And I have tried different bottles and teats, including Tommy Tippee which seemed to really confuse him...
I feel like I have tried everything - not sure what to do next

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Original poster

duffster · 12/04/2008 23:12

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grouphug · 12/04/2008 23:27

I would Just hang in there a bit longer when mine got to 7 months she started sleeping through 8pm-530am and using her doidy cup you can then go out and continue to breastfeed. On the nights you want to go out spend the day really knackering him i.e no sleep after 3pm nice long walk in buggy and big dinner out so he won't wake while you are out.

grouphug · 12/04/2008 23:27

Cattymum · 12/04/2008 23:32

maybe leave it a week or so and try again, go out for a couple of hours one afternoon adn see if DH can get him to take from a bottle.
does DH give him solid feeds? he will soon start to realise that he can get sustainance from someone other than mummy.

Original poster

duffster · 12/04/2008 23:36

OK, I guess I should leave the house for a bit then and lurk around the corner just in case!

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Dragonbutter · 12/04/2008 23:42

I agree with the nuk bottles suggestion.
They need a bit of practise so don't be disheartened if he doesn't get it first time.
I did the same with DS2 around 6 months too. I just wanted to let DH do some of the feeding and to go to the pub with friends and not worry.

ItsNotYouItsMe · 13/04/2008 09:31

duffster I am having the same problem, DS is 24 weeks, we are starting BLW, and I want to wind down the BF a bit - not stop yet by any means but give some FF and some BF.

Dp always tries with a cup when I am not around yet he will only take 50 or 60 mls, and then wait for me to come back. I don't see how we can build up from this - we have tried 4 cups including a Doidy, various bottles and teats, I just want to get over this hurdle.

He has definitely been hungry when DP tries - usually early morning while I catch up on sleep.

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