changing from BF to FF - some questions....

[kpt20]

Hi there

ok due to problems with my LO gaining weight and also with the constant feeding we have had, my 5 yr old feeling like mummy just isnt here anymore - ive decided to change over to formula.

i have got the bottles and just steralised them but was wondering how to do the switch. She is 2 weeks old now and I have only breastfed her not used anything else yet. Midwife i spoke to today said to just do a straight cold stop and change over - but its that the way to go?? wont it be harsh on her stomach - and what about my boobs?? cant that cause mastitis??

What did others do?

Also I have got aptimil first milk for her and the guidelines say 3oz and 6 feeds a day for weight of 3.5kg but LO is a lot smaller - she is only 2.4kg at the moment so should I only give her 2oz or something?? and then how many in 24hrs? i'm confused!!!!!!!

Can anyone shed any light on this??

Also steralising bottles - once washed and steralised - are they meant to be stored in the fridge until needed??

Thanks in advance!!

x

 

[Raven24]

hi well i changed decided to change over when little one was about 2 months and at first i expressed milk and mixed it with formula for a while just to transition over and i slowly increased the amount of formula i was gving over about 2 weeks i think but tbh i only did tht as i was trying to still breast so if i had of been doing a striaght swop i think i would have just started giving formula straight away as even if you do it as a slow transition it can still un settle their tummies for a few days so at least if you just do it after a few days it will settle down.
with regards to how much its kind of trial and error just put 3oz and see how much she drinks and adjust accordingly and i did and still do feed on demand with formula.
and there are so many ways of doing forumla feeds and everyone has a different view but ill tell you what i do.
i make up 4 or 5 bottles at a time with water and formula and i then put them in the back of the fridge and get them out and heat up when i need them, doing it this way means the hot water when made up kills any bacteria in the milk and by storing in the fridge means none can grow either and the feeds are there ready to use.
hope tht helps xx

 

[Babybug]

I dropped a feed at a time starting with the last 1 before bed and just went as quick as was comfortable for my boobs, if you stop dead there is a risk of mastitis you might need to expesss a small ammount just till you are comfortable. I found after stopping BF she took loads less than recommended on the tin for a good few weeks but she was still gainig weight fine, I would start with 3oz bottles and see how she goes and get her weighed regularly. I do my bottles differently from the lady above, I fill them with boiled water and keep them on the work top then add the powder as needed and give them at room temp

 

[Tiff]

I pumped and gradually introduced the formula, started out with an ounce of formula with the rest BM and worked my way up from there. It took about a week or so to get her fully switched, but she didn't get constipated, which what I was worried about.

I BF for 3 weeks before switching.

As for the bottles, I bought the condensed canned version and kept the bottles in the microwave sterlizer. When it was time for a feed I'd pour the formula from the jug in the fridge (where I pre-mixed it all) and poured the needed amount into the bottle and then used hot water from the tap to warm it up a bit. I didn't go too warm, I didn't want Claire to start rejecting bottles if it wasn't really warm.

I'd start off with a small amount and see how she does. *Generally* FF babies can go 3-4 hours between feeds. Claire was doing that once we put her on FF. Take your cues from your LO.