Have given up breastfeeding and need advice on formula feeding please

[gorgeousmumof]

I am used to constantly feeding, with him comfort sucking all the time.

I have put him on cow and gate comfort milk with tommie tippie anti colic varie flow teats.

I have been making up 4oz bottles with cooled boiled water and putting in the fridge.. then heating as I go.

But he is used to constantly feeding or sucking.. so I am a bit confused as to when to offer the bottle and when to offer the dummy?

If he takes the full 4oz he will usually go 4hrs between feeds.. though at night only 2hrs.

But sometimes in the day he will only take half an oz or 2 oz. Do I then just offer the bottle everytime he wakes and roots?

Also how do you all make your bottles for going out and night feeds etc? I feel so uneducated. I am so upset and emotional and guilty from giving up breastfeeding.. has anyone else given up around 4 weeks?

 

[lauram22]

Don't beat yourself up hun, honestly it isn't worth it. I spent a long time worrying n feeling guilty n it did neither of us any good. Happy mummy = happy baby. Do what is best for you both, whether that be breast or bottle.
Wrt being out n about, I normally take a ready made carton (bout 50p a carton) n give it to lo at room temp. If not, u can buy a little powder pot with the scoops measured out, and a tommee tippee flask that the lid turns into a pot to warm the bottle up in.
All the ladies on here will help you with anything you need. Just be careful with comfort milk as it made my lo worse, sicky n screaming farts lol but that's just my experience. Xx

 

[lauram22]

Oh and I make up bottles by boiling the kettle, putting half the required water in (ie if 4oz bottle put 2oz of water) then put in the fridge to cool. When lo needs a feed I boil the kettle, add boiling water to previously cooled then add powder, makes the perfect temp no warming up or cooling down. But I know ladies who make up feeds for the whole day, entirely up to you xx

 

[Odd Socks]

*hugs*
i gave up bf as well because bella would scream & refuse to feed for hours, & we were eventually readmitted to hospital because i couldn't cope, & we were (gently) told she was starving hungry (she never took to breastfeeding). i had hoped to breastfeed so expressed to keep my supply going, & also to combine-feed, which i did for a couple of weeks.
however, the first time i gave her formula, i had to ask one of the midwives what to do! the logistics of bf were simple - take your boob out, feed baby (shame it wasn't so easy!), but i didn't have a clue about formula feeding, & felt stupid ringing the bell for help! did i heat up the milk? how much would she have? how would i know when she'd had enough?
she's been on formula to some degree for 4 weeks (exclusively for 2 weeks) now. to start with, i simply tried to feed her whenever she looked like she wanted feeding, & let her take what she needed. over time, i've begun to learn when she wants food, & when she wants something else. she generally feeds every 4-5 hours, but sometimes goes less, & rarely goes more than that. you're new to it, remember that, you'll learn what works for your baby when you've ff for a few days, promise! you could always offer him the dummy if you're not sure if he's hungry, & if he spits it out a couple of times, he probably needs a feed (use this time to boil the kettle if you make up bottles in advance).
i make bottles in advance, usually 3 at a time, cool them down rapidly, then store them in the fridge. i heat them up when needed in a jug of boiling water.
xx

 

[kiwimama]

We gave up bfing at about 6 weeks, although we always had to top up with formula as her latch was non existant and she wasn't getting barely any milk because she couldn't stay on the breast for more than a few seconds at a time.
I would offer the bottle if he is rooting. However if he's taken a decent amount, try a dummy if you want to. We boiled water in the morning and put it in sterlised bottles, then added formula as we need it.
When we went out, I would put hot water in a bottle, then pop it in a thermal bag, then took a bit of formula in a container to add later. By the time we needed it, the water had cooled down to a warm temp.
I was very upset when I gave up bfing as well. I felt terribly guilty but we had such problems, and I was depressed about bfing and starting to resent her for causing me such pain, it wouldn't have been good to keep going. I had to stop to start bonding with her properly. Don't feel bad, it would be a wonderful world if everyone could bf easily, but that's not the reality. You have given your baby a great start by bfing for 4 weeks, but you have to do what is best for you and him!

 

[wannabewillow]

Hello there,
Mairi is 9 months now and she still only takes an oz or 2 at a time, she never takes any more than 5oz in a feed. If your little man roots, and he's not long fed, then offer a dummy. If he spits the dummy back at you, then offer the bottle and see how you go. As for out and about, I can't recommend cartons enough. Esp in the middle of the night. We've also got a little beer fridge in the room too so we don't have to run to the kitchen to out the rest of the carton in the fridge to use the following day, that way nothing gets wasted and I don't feel like I'm throwing away milk that could be used. The tip about putting half boiling water into cold water is brilliant. Wish I had thought of that earlier.

Again, please don't feel guilty about stopping feeding him yourself. You gave him a brilliant start. I also firmly believe 'Happy Mummy=Happy Baby'. The girls on here are great too, you can ask anything and someone will know the answer. I've learned so much on here.

Big xxx