Being away from breastfed baby

I was in this situation with my first baby when she was 7 months old. I didn't go. To me it just wasn't worth it. Not only could I not bear being away from her, but I would've had to pump regularly. I would understand if I had a friend in the same situation. Equally, if you want to go you should, it just wasn't for me but I didn't spend a night away from her until she was 2.5 years old and I hated it! X

@Ella I guess I’m just feeling like I should be there because I’m a bridesmaid even though I would spend the whole time worrying and pumping! I have a toddler who I left for a night when he was 6 months but he wasn’t breastfed and was just such a different baby! I feel so much pressure to get her to take a bottle in time but she’s been so ill I feel mean trying to make her at this point. Thank you x

What kinds of bottles have you used so far? For lots of babies, it’s just about mimicking what they are familiar with. We use the Mam bottles, but I know some people have had success with the Lansinoh ones or the Nanobebe ones. Maybe try a few different kinds and experiment with teat sizes too.

I’m the exact same! Have a hen do weekend coming up in March and paid like a £200 deposit, the closer it gets the more I’m thinking I just won’t be able to go. My husband has tried giving her a bottle twice and it didn’t go great. Also I hate pumping and she has allergies so can’t have normal formula. I keep getting scared as well even though we’re so far in that her taking a bottle, especially for a whole weekend, would affect our breastfeeding.

Really recommend the Lansinoh bottles for breastfed, bottle refusing babies! We tried sooo many bottles and they were always rejected over the last months but Lansinoh she latches straight away and drank the whole bottle! We couldn’t and still can’t believe it!! Xx

I recently had to cancel plans due to my daughter refusing to take a bottle. After cancelling I have continued to offer one bottle every day at different times (best when not over tired or too hungry) and after about 2 weeks, she now takes the bottle without any fuss. I am now continuing to give her one bottle a day, to prevent refusal in future. I also bought a cheap hands free electric pump that you put in your bra, so that pumping didn’t feel like it was taking up all of my time and it worked perfectly.

You should definitely go as soon as you find a bottle that works. We have brought up our daughter with the approach that they will fit into our lives as much as possible and that dad will learn how to look after her when I’m not there. It’s been great not only for me to continue being sociable and present at important events, but my partner and baby have the cutest bond I’ve ever seen. He will be fine and it’s made our daughter so independent and secure. Good luck! 🥰

@Becci I have heard good things about these! I have just ordered one and will give it a go. Thanks ☺️

@Sharon I used the Tommee Tippee back to nature ones as that is what we had for my first and he took them fine. Have had a few recommendations for the Lansinoh ones though so will give them a go! Thanks ☺️

Likewise, first time mum and initially EBF. We probably did one or two bottles for the first two weeks but stopped as was scared it would affect breastfeeding. So also faced bottle refusal at 3.5 months. We tried mam bottles slow flow as he hated tommee tippe teats. We tried formula or expressed milk for one feed a day for two weeks. Learn how to pace feed. Get dad to do it too when you’re not in the room. Baby may or may not drink much at first but persevere. Our baby now likes the bottle and drinks 5 -6 0z. Easier to go out and about. We also had to do it so I can work and send baby to nursery or when dad stays with baby all day and I am out. You still need to pump though to keep your supply. Depends on how old baby is but by 4-5 months you can pump every 3 hours without affecting supply. Feel free to message me. We also went to a wedding and happy to share my experience.

@Lois hope you are successful xx

We tried half a dozen different bottles and teats until we finally found one he would take consistently. I would say just experiment a lot.