Changing from breastmilk to formula using cups...

[Bex22]

I#ve been exclusively breastfeeding my 6month year old and wanted to start changing to formula. I optimistically thought he could go straight to using a cup but I have BIG problems. He will drink water from the cup but absolutely refuses formula- shaking his head from side to side and getting in a terrible state. I am in a terrible state too because I am worried that he isn't getting the 600ml recommended and that I will still be breastfeeding him when he is five at this rate. I'm trying not to give in and feed by the breast but I feel so guilty!! How can I make him like formula? Should I worry so much about how much milk he has. He is eating three good meals a day.

[MaeWest]

Hi Bex, just thought I would reply to this to bump it up for you.

I'm afraid I don't have experience of formula feeding as my DS is still going on the boob at nearly 16 months. It sounds like you're getting a bit stressed. Are you stopping because you are going back to work, or for other reason?

[Bex22]

Cheers! Nice to hear from you again. Main reason for stopping is that it took me an awfully long time to have this babe and I want to give myself a few months for periods to return to normal before starting trying again for next!! Don't mind taking a month or two to wind down but would like to know that there is an end in sight

[MaeWest]

Hmm, I can see why you'd want to cut down. For me I found that DS cut down a lot on his feeds by 9-10 months when he really started motoring with solid food (he eats pretty much anything now). How would you feel about seeing how it goes for a couple of months - you may find that your periods return as he starts to drop feeds. All women are different tho - my periods came back at 4 months, then a gap then regular from 6 months, others don't get theirs until bf stops completely.

Other than that, friends who stopped at around 6 months went on to bottles. Milk + sucking is pretty comforting and 6 months is still fairly young. I appreciate you may not want to try a bottle, but thought I would mention it.

One final thought in response to your first post:
"I'm trying not to give in and feed by the breast but I feel so guilty!! How can I make him like formula?"

Don't feel guilty. You have done a wonderful thing for your baby, it's not 'giving in' to give him the breast - it's just what he's used to and it will take him a while to get used to formula.

Hope some of this helps