Hi Charlie. My DS refused a DF too, he has silent reflux, but I don't know if it is a reflux thing, just some babies won't take to a DF. DS refused a paci too.
I think it's best to feed at night if he wakes hungry, suffering pain.
I ended up doing a waking DF with DS and continued until 8 months. I had to change his nappy to go the night stretch so this would wake him but he stayed good tempered about being woken and not all babies would! At around 7 months he reduced his BT bottle and what he took at the DF so I no longer had the need to change his nappy but by then the habit was ingrained and he would listen out for me in his sleep and wake when I went into the bedroom to feed him and go to bed. He'd be sleepy whilst eating and after the feed I'd put him back to his bed and he'd go off again on his own within a minute so it didn't cause any disruption until I weaned it (just done that 2 nights of NWs and 3rd night he went through 12 hrs). I don't think this method would be for everyone but it worked ok for us.
Start a new thread if you'd like some help with starting a DF so you attract some fresh eyes on it xx