Breast to formula need advice!

[flowerdew]

Help I'm really confused about how to introduce formula to my exclusively breastfed baby boy. He may have dairy issues so I need to start swapping in the day to notice a reaction then ideally want to give him a 10.30pm and 3am bottle. How does it work can anyone make a plan for me?! Haha

[Cric]

When I swapped I started with DDs 11am bottle. I did that for 2 weeks and then swapped another feed. It took about a month in the end (she was weaning so also dropped a feed herself).

[flowerdew]

Thanks I was hoping to reduce each feed every 2/3 days and keep a lunch time and 6.30pm feed but I'm so confused about what to do with when introducing the formula do I express so my boobs don't explode?! how long for?! I'm so exhausted with feeding every 2/3hrs I really need to get him on formula providing he's not allergic. He will be 4 months old soon I've done as much as I can

[hollie84]

I introduced a bottle a week. Think I did 11am first too, then 11pm, then afternoon etc. I didn't express, just let my boobs settle down each time.

[Cric]

Don't express because then your boobs won't adjust. I wasn't in a rush to finish so went slowly. Maybe do every four days to give your boobs enough time to adjust before changing another feed. But some of my friends just went cold turkey because they wanted to finish.

[AnythingNotEverything]

I know this isn't what you asked about, but you know that he probably won't feed any less often on formula than bf? I don't see how it will help with the tiredness as you'll surely be doing the same feeds but also with washing up to do.

How old is he?

[willowisp]

At 4 months try to stretch the feeds so he's having one every 4 hrs.

I had the same with dd1 & because she was only gaining a little, the HV suggested this to me. Was actually very easy & made a massive difference.

Agree that feeding 2-3 hrs breast = 2-3 hrs bottle.

[flowerdew]

Thanks girls if like to wean off the breast and on to formula so I can be more flexible with my days. I don't find the bottle a hassle at all infact with my first son I found it a refief but then we had to move him quickly on to formula as he had terrible eczema. I'm sure he will sleep better with formula they usually do! I am ready though now. I'll still keep two feeds though for at least another 2/3months. It was more that I was concerned about getting mastitis. Shall I try and make him stretch to 4hr feeds now?? Thanks X

[hollie84]

He won't feed four hourly just on breastfeeds. I doubt you'll get mastitis if you stop gradually either.

[flowerdew]

Ok thank you so much Holli!

[flowerdew]

Hollie