Help - Bottle refusal tips

So my baby (18 weeks old) is EBF but he’s becoming so hard and distracted on the breast and I’m getting at that stage where I’m getting super stressed feeding him in public which is obviously not helping with his feeding. I’ve been wanting to switch to giving him some bottles which he had here and there in the past with no issues but since last week he’s absolutely refusing them. We’re trying to build a positive relation with the bottle and not force feeding but I feel very defeated… The guilt from wanted to reduce our breastfeeding journey is already quite tough but the state he puts himself into just seeing the bottle is so hard.. Does anyone have any tips, or experienced bottle refusal and overcame it?
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Babies becoming distracted while feeding is so normal at this age. They become so much more aware and everything around them is suddenly so interesting. I can totally understand you not wanting to feed him in public like that though. Have you tried getting someone else to give the bottle? Ideally with you in another room. Then once he gets used to the bottle with someone else you try doing it again? Lastly, the guilt over it is so hard. But just know you're doing an amazing job no matter how your baby is fed. My little boy is combi fed and I feel guilty sometimes as my first was ebf until 6 months, it's a tough feeling isn't it 🥺

My EBF baby also refuses the bottle. The only times she’s accepted it has been when she’s in her baby Bjorn bouncer . Also, double check you’re using the correct teat size for the bottle

@Ronda thank you so much for your message. We have tried with just my partner giving him when I’m not around but he won’t take it either. I’ve just ordered Lansinoh teats as I heard EBF babies tend to prefer them, I’m hoping this will work! 🤞🏻 He took the bottle and kinda played with it today without drinking from it but no cries so I’m hopping that we’re going to get there soon! Gosh yeah the mum guilt is really something! Your doing amazing too! Fed is best ❤️

@Sophie they can be quite stubborn aren’t they? 😂 I’ve tried in his bouncer but he didn’t want it either… I’m on a right size so I’m just trying to switch to different one to see if he like one more 🤞🏻

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