8-mo old doesn't want to move to bottle

[CultureMix]

I need some reassurance and advice please on getting my 8-mo old DS2 transitioned onto bottle feeding. I've been EBF since birth and it's gone great (did same with DS1 and went fine), I never even tried expressing as I'm no good at it (takes ages to get 3 drops out) so it does mean baby never got used to bottle feeding.

I started introducing the bottle last week and baby hates HATES it, I am getting really stressed out as I will be going back to work on Mar.1st so really need to get this going as he will be in nursery. I've tried different bottles, different formulas, different times -- the best I've achieved is a couple of onces late at night but usually baby just turns away in disgust and screams. He is happy enough to sip a bit from a cup with meals but not enough for any sufficient intake. Can't really do the 'daddy bottle feed' as daddy works long hours so not around when needed.

Meals is the other problem -- I am BLW, partly my preference and partly because baby will NOT repeat NOT eat from a spoon. He is enjoying finger foods but really just playing and not ingesting much, main nutrition source remains milk so worried about him not getting enough.

Today for example I gave him a feed around 7am then breakfast (chew a few shreddies) then a quick feed at 10 am then lunch at 12.30 (broccoli, green beans, some bread, smeared yogurt round - didn't actually eat much) then resisted all cries for milk til now [4pm] when I caved in. Offered bottle loads of times but no interest. As soon as the boob appeared he threw himself onto it. It's hard as he cries pitifully and tries to chew through my clothes....

Any thoughts? Had no problems with DS1 (same setup, introduced bottle around 8.5 months) and was able to calmly drop 1 feed a week over 3 weeks. Didn't anticipate any problems this time, silly me....

If it were up to baby he would happily BF around 7am, 10am, 1pm, 5pm, 8pm and sometimes midnight snack a well (trying to cut out nighttime feed). Plus 3 meals just for tasting food and chucking it all over the place for Mummy to clean up.

Do you want to give up bfing? Because you could bfeed morning and evening once you're back at work and ensure some milk that way and leave the daytime feeds to a cup. Is he better at drinking from a cup when you're not there? Is he holding out for breastmilk because he can see you?

DD was exclusively bfed and NEVER took to a bottle. She moved onto a cup for water at 7 months and I continued to bfeed. I am a SAHM though so I know it's different for you.

Yes my plan was to give up at BF at this point, it's been lovely [though not currently as am stressed] but will also be nice to go out evenings etc! Plus I may end up travelling for work, not initially but could happen. In any case to date he's not yet been able to hold out between morning and evening feeds as today proved...

Guess I need to tough it out . I should try maybe having other people feed him, need to organise this with friends. I have tried feeding him while wearing Daddy's shirts but he's not fooled and yes I'm sure it doesn't help that it's me giving him the bottle with the milk bar right next door so to speak...