Finding it tough how dependent on me my baby is

I love being a mum and have really been enjoying mat leave and caring for my baby but just the last couple days been really dreaming of the day when I can do something for myself again. I've tried pumping milk but it takes ages and the most I ever get is 60ml. My partner has tried doing a bottle feed and she just screamed until she had to be comforted by me in the end. We've got a date night next month which will be the first evening away from her and my mum will be looking after her. We've still not figured out bottle feeding so as the date looms nearer I can't imagine it will even be possible. We'll be out about 4 hours but she mostly cries in the evenings unless I comfort her with the boob. She'll be nearly 13 wks on this date night night. How do you all get time to yourselves? The new mums I know all seem to have achieved bottle feeds.

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Try different bottles. Also try not being in the room or even the house during a bottle feed. It took a few tries for my girl to take a bottle. Even now, it takes 10-15 minutes for her to take a bottle. I offer, she turns away, give it a second and try again. Also I drip some of the milk on her lip so she can taste that it’s my milk

my son hasn’t taken a bottle ever and now at 8mo will only take boobie milk out if a sippy cup. breastmilk can stay in the back of the fridge for 4 days so you could pump everyday and get a bit more, eventually if a baby if hungry enough they’ll take a bottle however if you dont want that then id recommend holding off for a little while until she takes a bottle or can go longer without feeds x

When your partner tried feeding her the bottle were you in the room? I remember my son wouldn't take a bottle at first if I was around as he obviously wanted it straight from the source. Also maybe try putting some of your clothing or a blanket that has your smell on you on your partners chest while he gives her the bottle, to trick her a little into thinking it's you? Or, if where you're going is child friendly and an okay atmosphere for baby to be in, why not ask your mum to come along with her, and just sit at a separate table so you and your partner can still get some alone time but then when she needs feeding your mum can bring her over? It can be so hard when your baby's little and you're breastfeeding. You feel like you aren't your own person anymore and you feel like your sole purpose is to feed them. I hope things get better for you soon❤️

The first 3months were brutal, he’d only sleep if he was being held so we had to take shifts overnight to survive. However for us I found that after that 3month mark things got so much easier… he’d sleep happily in his bedside cot or basket and he just seemed more interested in the world rather than being attached to one of us 😂 Can’t help with the feeding issue as we did bottles from the start but we’ve found that white noise really helped and still helps to calm him down and help him sleep longer stretches 👍 Hopefully it’ll be the same for you! X

Can you top up the bottles from your let down? The MAM bottles are the best bottles for breastfed babies - they are flat so similar to a nipple.

Honestly I'm still struggling with this at 8 months 😢 I'm so burnt out. Following for tips.

I feel like this still at 5 months, baby rejects bottle no matter who gives/when/or brand of bottle. I can't be away for more than 1.5 hours and have had to cancel plans to go to a concert with my partner because of this. Sorry I don't have any advice, I just keep telling myself this is a small phase of my life and I'll look back on these times with fondness of the bond my daughter and I have.

@Rosie my girl is 10 weeks and I am facing the same issue. I am comforted by your message. I hope things take a turn for me from the 3 months mark as well

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