Anyone switched from breastfeeding to formula?

[km12446]

Hi, I'm currently exclusively breastfeeding my LO but I would like to start switching her over to formula so that by 6 months she is formula fed follow on milk. I'd like to do this gradually to avoid engorgement but I'm confused?? So I've read to start replacing one feed at a time for a couple days each but how much should I offer at each feed! Lo currently feeds every 2 hours whereas my niece who is the same age and ff only has 5 x 7oz bottles a day. So should I try 7 oz or less as presumably lo takes less than 7oz as she feeds so often? Argh!! How do I do this? Any advice please?xxx

 

[izzlesnizzle]

Just give 7oz as per the instructions on the side of the tin for her age, thats what i did. If she wants more she will ask for it at the end of the feed and you know to increase it to 8oz or if she wants less then she will only take what she wants.

I gave up BFing a month ago and did it slowly over the course of a month by replacing one feed for a bottle. I got slightly engorged but just just hand expressed enough off into a muslin to make me comfortable. I still havent dried up completely a month later! But im not in the slightest bit engorged and havent been for weeks.

My LO was only on 4 bottles a day though so it was easier. Maybe someone who feeds more often every 2 hrs will have some further advice for you.

 

[Mrs_T]

I've just started to feed formula instead on bf. I've found it really hard to judge how much to give and how often too. Lily used to feed about every 2 hours but would comfort feed and even feed if she needed a poo!!!! I've actually found she only needs one am and one pm bottle of about 6oz and then I bf her before bed and about twice in the night. She is a bit older though and on 3 meals a day. Hope that helps x

 

[Pinkvc]

I'm basically doing the same as you - LO is nearly 4 months and we started introducing formula 2 weeks ago - 1 bottle the first week and 2 the second. I did originally mix the BM with formula, so she had 50:50 to begin with.

We started with 6oz (what it says on the bottle of formula for her age and size), but generally she takes a little less (although occasionally is still hungry and I have topped her up with a breast feed).

She now has a 6oz bottle at 2pm and 8.30pm, and will have another 4-6 feeds from the boob. I'm starting to introduce an 11am bottle this week.

This has worked for us - although LO will sometimes fight the bottle for a few minutes, but I guess all babies are different so it's trial and error.

Good luck x