Don't give up!! First of all, talk to your baby's doctor and see what he or she has to say.

Now for my personal suggestion.

She is 17 weeks. That puts her right about 4 months right? I have a baby born the week after yours (if my math is right. Mine was born November 19th). He is my 4th child. I started all of my kids on rice cereal at 4 months. Between 4 and 6 months is about when doctors recommend to start solids. And baby rice cereal is usually the best first choice.

I've always mixed it with water or some formula or pumped breast milk (after a couple of months, I would later mix it with apple juice. Or water along with some baby food fruits like peaches or apricots or applesauce). Make it real runny at first, then add more cereal throught the first few weeks to make it thicker. Being runny, it should slide right off the spoon. Yes, it can be messy at first. This isn't replacing a feeding, but going along with it. You can nurse first or after or during. Whatever works best for the baby. Try it with one feeding and work your way up to with another until it's 3 times a day.

keep in mind I'm just saying what worked with me. Modify or change whatever works best for your lifestyle and baby. And like I said, starting solids isn't replacing nursing, just supplementing it. It's great you are still breastfeeding! It may just be she is having a growth spurt and needs the extra food.

And for what it's worth. My first three babies all refused bottles at this time. They only had a bottle in the first couple of weeks when I would pump all this extra milk I had in my boobs. haha! Once my supply regulated, I didn't pump anymore. When I decided to start on juice (about 6 months I think), I had to go straight to a sippy cup rather than a bottle.

I know you mentioned that she wouldn't take any sort of nipple, so my next suggestion probably won't work. They make bottles that are for feeding baby cereal. I've never used one, but know a few people that have. It looks to be less messy for baby than feeding with a spoon. It looks really cool and debating on trying it myself with my newest baby. But not sure I will.

Good luck, please check back and let us know how it's going!!