I'm not sure if this is exactly the right place to put this.

I'm in the process of switching from breast to bottle. We've done 6 mths almost and I have to go back to work and it's no longer practical. I'm actually very happy with my decision now (maybe be a little sad).

Aria has been taking bottles really really well now. I have been expressing what I can and combi-feeding. Today she only had 3 breastfeeds as apposed to 6/7 normally.

What I need to know is as of tomorrow if I were to ONLY give her bottles would this be ok for her or would it be too much of a shock? I would prefer to stop BF completely so I need to do this at somepoint.

Also she wakes a lot in the night, maybe 3/4 times. She generall feeds twice. Will she be ok if I give her a bottle or do you think for comfort I should still offer her a breastfeed? I really want to break this habit if I can. I am totally fine with giving her a bottle through the night, thats not the issue but I go back to work in May. I will be on nightshift 3 nights per week. Currently she WILL NOT settle for OH at all and I end up BF her back to sleep.

I know people cant tell ym how my LO will react but I just need a bit of reassurance that if I stop completely cold turkey she will be ok (I know I have to be careful I dont end up with mistitus etc which is why I will continue to express what I can for her.)

Thanks ladies.

xxx

Hey Hun! TBH, I'm not too sure cold turkey is a good idea - sorry. It will cause you discomfort, possibly infection and engorgement as you will be full with nowhere for it to go. I guess after 6mnths, Aria will be used to BF and the change may affect her? If you were on the same somehting for 6mnths then it suddenly changed, it would be a shock.

Can you drop a feed every few days rather then stop completely in one go? I would say that the night feeds will be the hardest for Aria to drop so maybe keep these going for as long as poss? When I go back to work, I am hoping to only BF in the evening, through the night and first thing. Like you said, it's not possible for me to keep BF through the day when back at work either.

Good luck - I am sure it will work out whatever you choose to do.

Unfortunately, I think slow and steady might be better. BFing is not just about the milk, as you mention, there's the comfort too, so it would be a huge shock to have that suddenly taken away from her. I agree with CeriB that the night feeds should probably be the last to go. Hope it goes smoothly!

I agree with the ladies above. During my parentcraft class, the lactation consultant gave us a schedule feeding sample on how to taper LO off breastfeeding. It's always best to start with the earlier feed. Everyday/every two days, minus off a feed and replace with the bottle. It's not just about what LO drinks, it's a lot to do with the emotional, visual, mental and physical contact and attachment with you.

Agree with pp's. Cold turkey is tough on everyone. Mum, baby - and everyone who has to live with them. And it doesn't always work, either: sometimes baby goes back onto the boob after a few hellish days.

And cold turkey at night could be the worst of all the options!

I went cold turkey last monday..... I'm nursing Evan more than ever now

I agree losing one feed every few days is the best route and what I'll do when I'm ready (bloody never the way I am going!!! But needs to be by July)

Thanks you!

I decided not to go cold turkey. Yesterday Aria only had 3 BF as apposed to her normal 6/7 but she didnt root or cry for one either Does that mean she is beginning to realise I'm not just for food but can comfort without it?

She had 6oz btl in the morning, 5oz in the afternoon and 10oz at bedtime as well as breakfast and some fruit in the afternoon. So in total 21oz btls and 3 BF. She then had a BF at 11pm and 3am.

Does this seem normal?

Today she's had 4oz btl in the morning. Breakfast, a BF and 1oz then 3oz. I have a 6oz btl here to give when she wakes from her nap and then maybe another one about 5ish which is normally her bedtime.

it's quite difficult to know when she's hungry as she's fed on demand and doesnt cry to much for food so I am wasting A LOT of breastmilk and formula by making up btls and then she only has 2/3 oz. I think I need to make maybe a 4oz bottle but keep a carton of formula with me incase she needs more.

xxx