Hi Cass.  If you don't want to do controlled crying, then I would just try to reduce the amount of milk you are giving him in the overnight feeds.  Other than controlled crying, I just don't know how to get a baby who is dependent on milk/sucking/full tummy for sleep to stop.  So until Austin is well and you feel able to handle it better, just try to reduce the amount he is drinking over night.  Another suggestion is to switch from formula to water.  I have heard this is enough to discourage the request for a bottle (so to speak).

As for the bottle vs solids, milk should be the primary source until 12 months.  Of course increasing the solids is a natural progression but like Cath said, give Austin the bottle before his solids.

Best of luck to you  Cass.  I do know what you are going through and it does end. 

This is sometimes a hard habit to break But can be done!! I'd try to limit the amount of re-settling time as much as you can. Let him cry a little bit and then go to him. Build on that, so that eventually it might be once or twice and then back to none. It's a hassle but he'll readjust in time.It helps if he has a full tummy and is warm thru the night. Hope this help a bit.

Now he still needs 3 bottles a day until at least 1 years old. So I'd try giving him the bottle first then the food. Keiraleah did this and thats what I did to get her to have it.

Good luck and I hope you can get some sleep.

cass i wish i could help, poor you and Austin, I hope you get some sleep asap. can you get your MIL to watch austin while you get a little sleep? I will be checking on you soon, xxx