Introducing formula - suggestions??

[Utahgirl]

I'm hoping you all can help me with my baby's introduction to formula this weekend. My baby is 13 weeks old, and eats like crazy. She's eating 10x a day, 4 oz each feeding, but is only 10.5 pounds (she was 6 weeks premature and 5 pds 3 oz at birth, but healthy). I went back to work last week, and had to reduce the # of times I pump a day to 5 (used to be 10 - I exclusively pump and give breastmilk in bottles, as she never got the hang of breastfeeding). I can't meet her needs with only 5 pumpings, so I started dipping into my freezer supply of over 300 ounces. It will run out in a week at the rate we're going.
So, I'm going to start formula for some feedings. Here are my questions:
- Do I give the same amount of formula as I do breastmilk in a feeding?
- Do babies generally like the formula if they're good eaters?
- Are there any reactions I should watch for?

Secondly, please help me feel better about doing this. I feel like the world acts like formula is poision. I HATE pumping and having her feeds take an hour + when I change, feed, pump, get bottles ready, wash pumping parts and bottles. My husband hates the idea of formula, but he's not willing to get up with me at night for every feed to help out, AND I am not willing/able to pump every 2 hours at work, so here we are. I think she'll be fine, but feel like general opinion is really hard on people who give formula to babies.

 

[fizzypop]

Hi honey, well done on going 13 weeks! Wow!! I gave up after 10 days!

I don't know about the amounts, but as far as I'm aware there aren't any usual reactions.. Less poos maybe. I guess you'd watch out for the usual.. Rashes etc just in case lo is intolerant? I think babies like formula because it's sweet. My lo preferred it to breast milk.

You're right about the 'breastapo', you're made to feel so guilty. Personally, I don't believe it's any better for some babies... But I'll get lynched for that I'm sure! It's hard to give up even after 10 days so 13 weeks it must be a real wrench.

Good luck!

 

[Maxy1]

Feel great about changing to formula. Seriously, it sounds like it will really work well for your family and relieve a lot of pressure around pumping, freeing up time for you to enjoy your LO. It sounds like a great decision.

i am unsure why people are so into one or the other. The correct answer is always what makes your family happy.

I have done mixed feeding and found that formula amounts were about the same as BM. I would suggest if you are wary that you make a slightly larger amount of formula up than is recommended on the tin for your LO's age and decant small amounts from that into a different bottle for feeding to LO. You can then just keep topping up the bottle until your LO is full. If she doesn't eat the lot then you can pop the rest in the fridge for the next feed and heat it up in warm water then and make up another lot to the correct amount she needs. It sounds tedious but it saves you from having a crying hungry baby while you try and make more formula and get it the right temperature because you didn't make enough.

Good luck, you are definitely doing the right thing. happy mum = happy baby. And my favourite tidbit I have read about this topic - when you look at children at daycare, you cannot tell which ones are BF or FF, so do what is best for YOUR child.

 

[kat2504]

You have already done so well for her by expressing for so long. But really, very few people can keep up exclusively expressing whilst going to work. YOu have done the best you can so don't feel guilty.

 

[Kage76]

hey love congrats for getting as far as you did- i would perhaps mix some formula with some EBM so that the change is gradual- sometimes babies can have a few minor issues with formula- my baby got constipated and had some wind issues- but with colic massage infacol and some laxative she was right within a week or two.

don't beat yourself up about giving up breastfeeding- you have given her a great start you have to do whats best for both you and the baby.

 

[Utahgirl]

Thanks for the support and advice! At first there was a lot of spit up, and she cried a lot after each bottle. Then, after a few days, the spit up reduced, and she doesn't cry at all. She does get a little more constipated and gassy, but it's not too bad as I'm only doing 2-3 formula bottles a day, of her 10 feedings a day. So far, so good!