Quitting BFing - can you help me?

[ILoveShoes]

Hi everyone,
I've posted this in FFing too, but it's busier in here so I thought I'd be more likely to get a response.
I really don't want anybody to be mean to me please. This isn't a decision I have taken lightly, and I'm doing what I think is best for me and my boy.
Thanks.
xx

Hi ladies,
My LO is 11 weeks old. He's been BFed since he was about 3 weeks old (before this, he had EBM) but it has always been a struggle.
We use nipple shields as he can't latch, but recently he's got very fussy and feeding is very stressful. We both get stressed and upset.
I'm thinking of switching to FF. My problem is, he's never had formula or a bottle!
My HV is coming round tomorrow to talk to me.
Has anyone else had a similar situation?
Can anyone help?
Thanks.
xx

 

[jaybee]

I can't help i'm afraid cos my LO refuses a bottle.
But wanted to say, don't feel bad for making a decision that you believe to be good for baby and you. Your LO has had BM for almost 2 months which is brilliant, but if its not working for you, then do what you think is best.

Don't listen to anyone that tries to pressure you either way as I am sure you have thought this through.
Good luck
xx

 

[Kaz1977]

I know how hard BF can be (I'm currently BF my 2nd). If you are certain FF is the way to go, then your baby will take a bottle - babies will not starve themselves. It might take a few hours, but he will eventually accept one. If you have been using nipple shields it should be very easy to switch, feeding from these feels very similar to a bottle.

At the end of the day a happy mum is a happy baby and millions of babies are FF with no problems. The important thing is you tried your best with BF. I do know of several babies that only thrived once FF as they struggled to BF properly.

 

[ILoveShoes]

I can't help i'm afraid cos my LO refuses a bottle.
But wanted to say, don't feel bad for making a decision that you believe to be good for baby and you. Your LO has had BM for almost 2 months which is brilliant, but if its not working for you, then do what you think is best.

Don't listen to anyone that tries to pressure you either way as I am sure you have thought this through.
Good luck
xx

Thanks, Jaybee.
Tobias is gorgeous!
xx

 

[jaybee]

I can't help i'm afraid cos my LO refuses a bottle.
But wanted to say, don't feel bad for making a decision that you believe to be good for baby and you. Your LO has had BM for almost 2 months which is brilliant, but if its not working for you, then do what you think is best.

Don't listen to anyone that tries to pressure you either way as I am sure you have thought this through.
Good luck
xx

Thanks, Jaybee.
Tobias is gorgeous!
xx

Thank you sweetheart, He's so different now though. xx

 

[NuKe]

hi! :wave: First of all, don't listen to anyone who tries to make you feel guilty. You tried your best!! I only lasted 5 days bfing!! I can recommend tommee tippee closer to nature bottles, they also have a microwave steriliser which is fab! we also have a bottle warmer which i couldnt live without, but i know a lot of ladies bought them and never used them ever!! We started on SMA but that made poppy very VERY constipated, and apparently thats quite common! so we switched to cow and gate and didnt have any problems whatsoever!!

 

[ILoveShoes]

hi! :wave: First of all, don't listen to anyone who tries to make you feel guilty. You tried your best!! I only lasted 5 days bfing!! I can recommend tommee tippee closer to nature bottles, they also have a microwave steriliser which is fab! we also have a bottle warmer which i couldnt live without, but i know a lot of ladies bought them and never used them ever!! We started on SMA but that made poppy very VERY constipated, and apparently thats quite common! so we switched to cow and gate and didnt have any problems whatsoever!!

Hiya NuKe!
Thank you for your reply.
I've actually already got some of those TT bottles. I bought some with the intention of offering LO the odd bottle of EBM every now and again - but we've not opened them yet.
Can I ask you about your bottle warmer...?! How quickly does it heat up the bottles etc? Can you take it out and about with you?
xx

 

[NuKe]

if u put a bottle in it that's been in the fridge, id say about max 5 mins for a 7oz bottle. if theres less in it though it doesnt take as long! saves messing about with the kettle, plus i didnt like the thought of having to pour boiling water when i have a hungry baby in my arms! u cant take it out and about, but i also have a travel bottle warmer by TT which cost about a fiver i think, its essentially a flask but the lid goes over the whole thing so u take it off, turn it upside down and pour hot water from the flask into it, and as its made by TT its the perfect size for their bottles! heres links to both:

warmer:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tommee-Tip...KLYW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1290001721&sr=8-4

travel warmer/flask thingy:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tommee-Tip...TEN8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1290001721&sr=8-1

 

[kirstylm]

Nobody can think badly of u hun. Breastfeeding is hard and I think u have done an amazing job doing it till 11 wks of age, well done.

I also had to give up breastfeeding after 2 months as LO was waking every half hour for food!!! I dont think she was getting enough and as soon as i introduced a bottle she gulped 10oz in the space of 2 hrs!!!!!

I think the best thing to do is to get a bottle that represents a nipple well. I use the Dr Browns and theyu are fab, nice and soft and brilliant at preventing colic.

My LO took brilliantly to a bottle almost better than the nipple so try not to worry.

As for formula, well I went trhu lots of different ones before finding the right one for Eva.

A comfort milk is good to start as it prevents colic and constipation biut makes the poo really smelly, greeny and watery which is normal on that milk.

Sma made Eva constipated. She is now on a normal milk, first I tried Aptimal 1 but she screamed a lot while eating so weaned her onto Cow and Gate and she loves it.

If u have to change milk then just remember to do it gradually over a few wks else u can cause tummy upset.

Good luck hun and never think badly of ur self for changing to FF. U have done the best thing for u and ur boy obviously as ur the mum and u know best xxxx

 

[mandylou]

we had a very similar situation, i think we went 3/4 weeks before switching to formula, max was constantly hungry even though he would be on the boob for hours on end, it was such a releif when we switched, he was happier, i was happier, and we were both less stressed. it helped that my family were very supportive, i felt like such a failior but everyone kept pointin out that i was just doing what was best for the both of us in the situation that we were in. we had no problems getting max to take a bottle coz he was so greedy lol we too started on sma and max got very constipated so we switched to c&g comfort and had no problems from then on. in regards to what you said above, we found a great travel bottle warmer that you can plug into the cigarette socket in the car, which was great for when we were out. if you wanna pm me feel free

 

[NuKe]

Nobody can think badly of u hun. Breastfeeding is hard and I think u have done an amazing job doing it till 11 wks of age, well done.

I also had to give up breastfeeding after 2 months as LO was waking every half hour for food!!! I dont think she was getting enough and as soon as i introduced a bottle she gulped 10oz in the space of 2 hrs!!!!!

I think the best thing to do is to get a bottle that represents a nipple well. I use the Dr Browns and theyu are fab, nice and soft and brilliant at preventing colic.

My LO took brilliantly to a bottle almost better than the nipple so try not to worry.

As for formula, well I went trhu lots of different ones before finding the right one for Eva.

A comfort milk is good to start as it prevents colic and constipation biut makes the poo really smelly, greeny and watery which is normal on that milk.

Sma made Eva constipated. She is now on a normal milk, first I tried Aptimal 1 but she screamed a lot while eating so weaned her onto Cow and Gate and she loves it.

If u have to change milk then just remember to do it gradually over a few wks else u can cause tummy upset.

Good luck hun and never think badly of ur self for changing to FF. U have done the best thing for u and ur boy obviously as ur the mum and u know best xxxx

see, theres another one!

 

[kirstylm]

Oh yeah, and I also have the same warmer as Nuke and its really good, I have one downstairs in kitchen for day time and one upstais on bed side table for night feeds and early morning feeds.

Its a good idea to take bottles up at night with just the required water in and take little pots of formula and just add the formula in and shake and heat! Saves u coming down at all hrs to faff anout with formula.

I got these and just take up 6oz of water and 6 scoops in each pot at night.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tommee-Tip...sr_1_16?s=baby&ie=UTF8&qid=1290002076&sr=1-16

or one of these as reccomended by another B&B poster which look handy:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/bibi-Formula-Milk-Powder-Dispenser/dp/B00140RSS2

 

[kirstylm]

What is it with SMA?? A lot of ppl say the same thing?!

Nobody can think badly of u hun. Breastfeeding is hard and I think u have done an amazing job doing it till 11 wks of age, well done.

I also had to give up breastfeeding after 2 months as LO was waking every half hour for food!!! I dont think she was getting enough and as soon as i introduced a bottle she gulped 10oz in the space of 2 hrs!!!!!

I think the best thing to do is to get a bottle that represents a nipple well. I use the Dr Browns and theyu are fab, nice and soft and brilliant at preventing colic.

My LO took brilliantly to a bottle almost better than the nipple so try not to worry.

As for formula, well I went trhu lots of different ones before finding the right one for Eva.

A comfort milk is good to start as it prevents colic and constipation biut makes the poo really smelly, greeny and watery which is normal on that milk.

Sma made Eva constipated. She is now on a normal milk, first I tried Aptimal 1 but she screamed a lot while eating so weaned her onto Cow and Gate and she loves it.

If u have to change milk then just remember to do it gradually over a few wks else u can cause tummy upset.

Good luck hun and never think badly of ur self for changing to FF. U have done the best thing for u and ur boy obviously as ur the mum and u know best xxxx

see, theres another one!

 

[aliss]

I replied to you in BF + FF forum... sorry you are going through this, I have been there.

 

[ILoveShoes]

I replied to you in BF + FF forum... sorry you are going through this, I have been there.

Thanks, Aliss.
I'm taking over the whole forum today!
xx

 

[MrsVenn]

Firstly, well done for making such a tough decision and well done for doing so well so far. You're the mum and you know best

Here's my experience, we've tried TT CTN, Nuby and Dr Brown bottles. To be honest, Molly has got on better with the TT ones out of all of them. She took to the bottle straight away and we haven't looked back so your LO could be exactly the same!

Get plenty of muzzies and TT Dribble Catcher bibs, whilst they're getting used to it all, some milk can go everywhere.

We went straight on to Aptamil when Molly was introduced to formula. I'd heard about the problems with others and knew that Apatamil (used be Milupa baby formula) was a well known brand for not having many issues. We tried Mols on the Hipp Organic once and it gave her tummy ache so went back to Aptamil. She's never had wind problems or constipation..but brace yourself for the change in nappies However, as others have said, it's a bit of trial and error.

Good luck, feel free to PM if you have any questions/problems etc.

Oh and I have the TT bottle warmer that's a thermos flask. We only use it when going out to be honest but it's pretty good and the water stays hot for ages.
xxx

 

[NuKe]

oh. my. god. those tt dribble catcher bibs are BRILLIANT!! i forgot about those!!

 

[MrsVenn]

oh. my. god. those tt dribble catcher bibs are BRILLIANT!! i forgot about those!!

Aren't they!! I was given loads of bibs when Molly was put on to formula (I was in hospital you see) but I'd already bought a pack and DH used those. They're fab for teething too. When I got home, I packed all the other ones away and bought a ton more of the things. They've been boiled to death, are losing the colouring but are just fab

 

[brunettebimbo]

I just read your first post and part of it sounded like my son...the crying during and after a feed.

Is your little boy sicky too?

I took Tristan to the Doctors yesterday and the reason he cries is because he has reflux. We started him on baby Gaviscon yesterday and is already not crying or being sick as much.

Well done for feeding for so long

 

[ILoveShoes]

I just read your first post and part of it sounded like my son...the crying during and after a feed.

Is your little boy sicky too?

I took Tristan to the Doctors yesterday and the reason he cries is because he has reflux. We started him on baby Gaviscon yesterday and is already not crying or being sick as much.

Well done for feeding for so long

Hiya,
Yes, he is. Sometimes it's a little, and sometimes a lot.
I actually took him to the Docs this morning. I don't think she really understood why I was there! She said it's normal for a baby to be sicky, but prescribed him some Dentinox anyway...
xx