I agree it sounds like he might need to be checked out by a doctor if he is getting dehydrated
.
I do have experience of having to stop BFing for medical reasons. I was given 1-2 weeks to stop feeding completely so that I could start chemotherapy drugs (that obviously would be harmful to a BFing baby
). My DD was 9 mths and had never taken a bottle before. I actually stopped feeding my DS pretty fast at 7 mths due to his medical issues (with reflux and food intolerances), and that was hard, so with DD I was prepared.
What I did with both LOs was to give them solids as usual (mixed with water or milk), offered drinks in cups with meals and then did the milk feeds at the usual times. Or when they 'asked' for food. But otherwise I just kept them distracted and kept the bottle away.
Does your DS use a cup at all?? My DD LOVED water or juice in a cup (but not milk), but my DS was about 11 mths before he took a cup, so that was harder. For him I gave sips of water from an open cup as that is what he preferred (and at least he took a bit yk?).
Are you using the same bottle and teat every time? I chose a MAM bottle with a silk teat as I think a lot of BF babes reject silicone. A latex teat is an alternative. But whatever you choose use it everytime. Don't keep changing it.
Keep super calm and happy, and relaxed and lovely like you did when you offered the breast. With DD I cuddled her and sang and popped the teat in quick!! My DD was not stubborn though - and she had a weak spot - she loved to be fed to sleep
. So I found she would take it in the dark before sleep. DS was more of a hunger strike like you describe.
Have you BF at all since this started?? I know you are ill and have no milk - but I am assuming that you have not put him to the breast at all since this started??
All I can really offer here is some massive (((hugs))) and say that I do understand how awful this is. But your LO will take that bottle soon. He will. He will. He will. He will. He will not starve himself, and at the moment he just doesn't realise that he has to suck from that plastic thing instead. Even if he has taken one before he still likely hasn't understood that anything other than your breast is any use for taking away milk hunger. It is kind of waiting for them to 'get that' that causes all these bottle rejection issues.
Try and relax around him. It is NOT your fault that he cannot have his breast milk, and our kids do pick up on our own upset. Distract, cuddle, sing, whatever you think may work for him!! They are all different - and my DDs desire to feed to sleep was strong enough to help me out.
I WOULD take him to get checked tomorrow in view of dehydration - and do give wet solids and any other fluids you can get into him.
I SO SO SO hope this ends soon. I ended up giving my DD her first bottle sobbing in the bedroom telling her what a wonderful clever girl she was. The relief that she would feed from the bottle was so great (she had done a 24 hr hunger strike the day before).
AND I am so sorry that you are both going through this. Is is awful for both of you - and just horrid for any BFing Mama
.
*** Is there ANYTHING you haven't tried? Warm teat? Formula rather than EBM? Is your frozen EBM sour so the formula may be better tasting? Will he take it in the middle of the night when it is dark and he is sleepy - like of like a dream feed???
Thinking of you both and am here to help if I can - and offer hugs and sympathy as well
