Bottle refusal at the worst time. Has anyone tried cold turkey?
My 5 month old suddenly stopped taking bottles at 4 months. Before that she was taking them 3-5x a week no problem. I was mostly breastfeeding because it was honestly just easier and my supply wasn't great when I pumped. Bottles were used when I had to go out without issue. I didn't realise that could change or I would've been more consistent
We took a 2 day trip where no bottles were given and since then… complete strike. She used to at least take one from my husband at night in deep sleep but even that stopped this week.
The ONLY thing that works now is a Tommee Tippee 3 month nipple, in her bouncer in the morning, when she's happy and not too hungry or tired. Even then it's maybe 4 out of 7 days depending on her mood. We've tried everything: different bottles, nipples, temps, positions, me out of the house, others giving it, you name it.
Had to switch to combo feeding with formula too because I was pumping and losing milk and it was making everything worse mentally.
Here's my problem: I have a trip in 6 weeks to care for my sick mother in another country. I'll be gone for one week. Taking the baby isn't an option. I'll be alone and in and out of hospitals. My plan was to leave a pumped stash and have her on combo feeding while I'm away.
Two friends have told me their babies refused bottles until they went back to work and then just… took them out of hunger. I'm hoping for the same but I'm terrified.
I'm considering going cold turkey a week or two before I leave to test this out— no breastfeeding, bottle only. But I'm worried it'll stress her out and make her even more breast-fixated.
Has anyone actually done cold turkey and had it work? Or am I about to make this worse? Any experience with leaving a bottle-refusing baby would honestly help right now