Frustrated :(

My baby is almost 6 months and she's breastfed. I love it and I'm really proud of us. I'm on parental leave so I'm with her 24/7 and never go out or do anything without her. We've had a sitter maybe 3 times. Last night SO and I got my mom to babysit her so we could see a movie and have a date. I left enough pumped milk and she has started cereal so I thought she would be good.. But she simply refused the bottle, she ate maybe 2 oz the 5 hours I was gone! We've tried so many types of nipples, brands, textures.. She won't take one from SO either, we practiced for a few weeks before this date.. I'm just at my wit's end. My mom suggested just giving her formula when I do need to leave her because nobody will want to babysit a baby who cries the whole time.. This is breaking my heart  
Basically ranting at this point because I haven't had much luck finding the best advice. What worked well for you? I'm not returning to work anytime soon but it would be nice to get a sitter for a few hours here or there and know she's happy and fed. Thanks ladies

What the hell would formula do that breast milk wouldn't? Sorry, that's just a pet peeve of mine.

If she's refusing the bottle, try leaving cereal with your babysitter also and just having her spoon feed the breast milk with some cereal mixed in to thicken it up. Or she could use a medicine dropper. It takes a long time, but sometimes you just have to do it. You could also try squeezing the nipple of the bottle a bit so that the milk is already in her mouth before the bottle even gets there.

I know.. I was like wtf? My mom's the one who's been giving me all the support for breastfeeding too -_- Kind of backwards and I really don't think I need to give her formula.

formula wont do anything and in fact it tends to taste a hell of a lot worse... It can off set a babies PH balance and cause tummy problems in babies who are not used to it....
I don't know how to help your bottle solution because my son went back and forth all the time but maybe try a breastflow bottle or if it is just for a couple of hours feed right before you leave and leave a tiny bit of juice(watered down) and baby food? I just suggested the juice because she is 6mo now and doesn't need it but she might take it since it in since its sweet. That way you can get a tiny break without having to stress? I mean, that isn't the best thing in the world but if you pump and store while you are out and feed right before your supply wont go down when you are gone and you could get some alone time. Unless of course you were wanting to wait until later you start solids. I know some babies tend to be ready far later.


Also another idea, have you just tried going straight to the sippy cup? What about a sippy with a straw(they make em and my son loved em)? :]

Wait! I just read that you said " almost 6mo" sorry >.<

I haven't tried a sippy cup yet but that's next I think! Are there any specific types or brands to try? She likes to play with our cups/mugs so I think she'd be a little more willing to try that.. She does eat solids but even that, she won't eat it if I'm not feeding her! I don't get a break lol even when my SO is home and I ask him to feed her :\

Quoting kyannasaurus:" My baby is almost 6 months and she's breastfed. I love it and I'm really proud of us. I'm on parental ... [snip!] ... anytime soon but it would be nice to get a sitter for a few hours here or there and know she's happy and fed. Thanks ladies "

Ya, I don't know what formula vs. breastmilk has to do with the problem.

Also, it won't kill your 6 mo old to hold out five hours on only a few oz while she is babysat. I bet if you stayed away longer she would end up eating more from the bottle, but it didn't come to that.

Quoting kyannasaurus:" I haven't tried a sippy cup yet but that's next I think! Are there any specific types or brands to try? ... [snip!] ... that, she won't eat it if I'm not feeding her! I don't get a break lol even when my SO is home and I ask him to feed her :\ "

I started my son with the kind that have a straw connected to them. I found it at Target I believe for only a couple of bucks :] My son seemed to really take to it fast.