Breastfed baby to bottle

[AWishYourHeartMakes]

My baby is 9 months old and so far I have been breastfeeding but I would like some space now to be able to go out for the day or evening. How long have your babies used a bottle for? HV etc says to go straight to cup at this stage and I am loathed to put in the work to get used to the bottle only to wean off it at a year. Do your 12month plus babies really not use a bottle or is this an unrealistic HV/NHS ideal? Baby takes water from a cup well but not expressed milk so far and I can’t see how it will ever be a replacement for a bedtime comfort feed.

None of my children ever used a bottle. They all started using sippy cups around 6-7 months whilst still breastfeeding. Honestly, I think trying to use bottles is just a waste of time.

At 9 months old they aren't going to expire if they don't have breastmilk for a few hours.

If it's just for the occassional night out/ few hours away I would be tempted to leave snacks and your choice of beverage in a sippy cup.

Thanks for replying. What about bedtime without breastfeeding? Do they just eventually learn to have a cup of milk and a cuddle?

Yes, they will learn. It's just a step in the process of weaning. Please don't worry! You are doing everything right and it will all work out.