Advice wanted anyone who breast fed for 3 months then changed to formula?

[Scooby12345]

I have 3 weeks to go before i start introducing formula. (its always been my aim to breastfeed for 3 months, my choice - please can this thread not have people telling me i should be doing it longer).

So what i'm after is advice on the transfer, i'm hoping to be totally formula feeding by 4 months. I worry about LO clammering after my boob when milk has gone and wondered on your experiences on this?

Also about my little ones tummy adjusting to formula?

My boobs getting engorged?

LO has one bottle of EBM each day so is partially used to having a bottle.

THanks!

 

[loopy loulou]

Hi, I breastfed exclusively for about 3 and half months (wanted to do it longer but had a few issues). Firstly I decided to combi feed so BF first thing in morning and at bedtime, and gave her formula throughout the day (she was sleeping through the night).

This happened very successfully, I cut out the lastest feed of the day first (the 'tea time' one as this is when your supply is lowest so your boobs don't notice it too much!) Then, after a few days cut out the next one (working backwards through the day). If you have time to do it at your own pace then just wait till your boobs have adjusted to the dropped feed then drop the next one. I didn't have ANY engorgement at all, but think I had low supply in the first place (one of my issues).

After doing this for a week (and the third bout of thrush started to kick in!) I made the decision to move completely to formula so dropped the bedtime feed (again, lowest supply), then after a few more days dropped the morning one.

Eve has been on formula completely now for 2 weeks and all is good.

She has shown no issues at all.. apart from being more content and less fussy at feedtimes!

I use Cow and Gate - for no reason at all.. just liked the look of it and knew the name. And I use Avent bottles and teats...

Hope that has helped a bit.. Please feel free to ask anything else if our situations sound the same.

Good luck. x

 

[Arcanegirl]

WE did the switch gradually. First we did a morning feed with a bottle for a while, then introduced an evening feed, after a few days doing that i did the swtich completley.

The longet you take doing it the easier it will be with engorgement, i found i didnt really get engorged much as id taken time switching.

 

[wannabewillow]

We combi fed from about 3 weeks due to LO's weight loss. Similarly to the other ladies, I phased my BF out over about a week, but it was the night ones I stopped last. No particular reason why, it's just how we chose to do it. We use aptamil and have had no problems. Good luck.
Joanne x

 

[Babybug]

I stopped at 14 weeks I worked backwards like Loupy Loulou and stopped over about a week, dropping the first feed was really painfull the first night and I had to express a small ammount to ease it. After that it got easier, my boobs were a lttle sore so i had to express a little occasionally and I used cold cabbage leaves in my bra to soothe them (apparantly they have a chemical in them that helps dry up milk). Some people need to take longer I would just go with what feels right. There is a risk of mastitis if you stop too quickly whick although I have never had it I have heard it is ver painfull and can even lead to hospitilisation.

Her tummy seemed to ajust fine, she initially took small feeds, a lot less than what the tin says she should have for her age/weight but it did not effect her weight gain.


She didnt seem to miss the boob except at night, for comfort I think, It made me cry when she had finished her night feed with the bottle she would turn into me in a Bf position and fuss and cry, I had to pop a dummy in for a few min to soothe her but he only did that the first few nights.

I also felt quite down after I stopped, think its a hormonal thing, especially because I felyt she wasnt feeding enough I was really worried she wouldnt gain weight and It would be my fault for stopping BF.

Well done for BF this long, hope your switch over goes well

 

[_Vicky_]

oohhh please do it slowly - I ended up in hospital with breast asbcesses due to mastitis that had to be drained - one month in I am STILL have them dressed twice weekly its more painful than child birth!!!!

I havent a clue on how to do it slowly as I obviously screwed it up - good luck three months is fab - I only managed a month xxx