Switching from BF to FF

[Lena]

I'm currently BF my LO but want to switch to FF. How do you go about switching? Do you start by giving them a bit of formula one day as well as breastmilk and then increasing the amount as the days go on? Or do you just start giving them all formula one day? Also, what formula is best for a gassy, hungry baby?

 

[tannembaum]

Hi, I'm having to do the same atm and was reccomended to drop one BF and swap with FF for a few days and then drop another BF for a few days and so on, so their litttle bellys and your boobs get used it it.

 

[Laucu]

I switched from BFing to FFing when Emma was 3 months old and did exactly what tannembaum said. It took a few weeks but worked well! I think it's probably a good idea to let your boobs adjust, as well as baby.

ETA: With regards to formula, I'm really not sure tbh. I used Aptamil as I have read lots of good stuff about it. It is supposed to be the closest formula to breastmilk. I guess you could give the first milk a try, and if you find that baby is guzzling loads you could speak to your HV about using the hungry milk...but I'd say give the first milk a try first. When Emma was BFing I was feeding her every 2.5 - 3 hours, but once she was on formula she could stretch a lot longer between feeds.

 

[CocoaOne]

3 weeks is growth spurt time which might be why your LO is so hungry? I wouldn't suggest trying a hungry baby formula over a normal one as it can make gas worse. Also gassiness is very common in newborns - your LO will probably grow out of it in a few weeks x

I've read that it's best to swap one BF feed for FF a day until you've slowly swapped all BF for FF. this helps baby get used to it and stops your boobs getting engorged and risking blocked ducts and mastitis z

 

[vac_uk]

I just swaped and didnt wean it in or anything i just went straight to Formula and my little one has been fine (touch wood). I also did the same with my daughter whos 4 now and she was fine...u can use cold cabbage leaves to scatter ur milk, take painkillers and your breasts will be fine.
I decided to use SMA but only because thats what i used with my DD... i asked MW what was best and she said theyre all quite similar, depends whos marketing them ! xx

 

[tinkerz23]

I started switching LO from BF to FF at 12 weeks. I also recommend taking it slow and replace a BF with FF every 2 to 3 days to give your body to adjust. If you become uncomfortable, express just enough to give relief. Also, ice packs or cold cabbage leaves will help a lot! Try to avoid really hot showers or baths because it can make you even more engorged!

I cannot advise on a formula type b/c I am in the US and apparently we have different brands.

Your LO may not like the taste of formula at first. Breast milk is a lot sweeter. My LO did not like formula at first at all. She refused it. I had to mix ebm and formula for a couple days, increasing amount of formula until she was taking straight formula. I had done this when she was just 5 weeks old though cuz I wanted her to get used to the taste of it. She was getting a bottle of formula at bedtime.

 

[Lena]

Thanks everyone. The health visitor suggested I put him on Aptimel for colicy babies because he's really gassy so thats what Ive bought. I am going to start giving it to him little by little starting next week on wednesday when he is 1 month old with a goal of having him on nothing but formula when he's 6 weeks old.

Tinkerz-thanks for the tip about mixing EBM with formula.. because if he doesn't take the formula, im not sure what i would do! So will try that if he hates the formula

 

[Posterpots]

Sorry to jump on your thread, but I am thinking of completely switching to FF as I am combination feeding at the moment. Should I not express my milk in this transition phase to prevent engorged breasts; or would this just encourage my clever brain to keep producing milk?

Thanks

Posterpots

 

[jambobabe]

i switched today as baba was sooooo demanding (felt like she was on the boob 24/7) boobs feel a little sore but she took to the formula like a duck to water and she also seems more content aswell and daddy is looking forward to helping out so alls well in this household

 

[MrsRabbit]

I switched cold turkey with DD at 3 days shy of 4 months. She was already getting expressed milk and formula so I just kept giving her only formula [although a new kind as we were switching to 100% amino acid formula] and it was a pretty easy switch. As long as those bottles came - day 4 or 5 she threw an all out fit about it but after that she was fine.

 

[Lara310809]

I wouldn't start by assuming you will need a brand specifically designed for gassy hungry babies, because being FF you may find that they are much fuller for longer. Start by going for a regular formula; I went for Aptamil newborn milk, because it's supposed to be the nearest thing to BM.

If you have lots of milk, I would suggest weaning LO off it, or you may feel uncomfortably full when they're not feeding. Gradually you can increase the bottled per day, depending on how your boobs feel. I never had much of a flow of milk, and I was combi feeding, so I was able to switch completely