Introducing formula at 7 months

[IckleJess]

DS is breastfed and has never had formula. I've started BLW although he's not really eating anything yet, he refuses purees unless it's yoghurt or mashed banana (anything sweet basically!).

I'm not concerned about his food intake at the moment as I understand that he will take a while to get used to the idea of eating but I'm beginning to feel tied at being the only one who can feed him. I'm also concerned at the possibility he may not be getting enough iron from breastmilk alone.

I have 3 other children and I never get any time to myself. This is not a major problem day to day but I haven't even had my hair cut since before he was born as I can't leave him long enough to go to a hairdressers! Days out with him are also difficult as he is so nosey that he won't feed properly in public and, combined with the lack of solids intake, it just isn't easy to go out for any extended period of time with him as he will need feeding.

So, would I be likely to have any success in introducing one formula feed a day? I'm guessing doing it in a sippy cup would be the best way? It would allow me some free time if I needed it, also make it easier to leave the house for more than a couple of hours at a time with him! I love bf, I don't want to stop completely although I realise introducing formula will affect my supply. My other DCs were mix-fed so I've never had this problem (they all weaned happily on purees too).

If I was to introduce formula, should I just go straight to follow on milk or start him on first milk given that he has never had formula before?

I have been so proud of myself that I've managed to avoid giving formula so far but I need a break :(

[TheSugarPlumFairy]

you should be fine to go straight to follow on milk if you want to. You can give him first milk but follow on milks are often on sale whereas first milks are not allowed to be discounted (incase you make the decision to formula feed based on a sale price ).

Yes i would go with the sippy cup option too. We used the tommy tippee free flowing ones to start with as they dont need to do anything to get the milk flowing so it helps them understand what on earth this thing is you have given them and what they are supposed to do with it.

He will likley be just as distracted with formula as he is with breastmilk though if you are feeding out and about though i suppose it is easier for him to look about with a sippy cup full of milk.

you will still need to make the milk up with water 70 degrees or above though if you are using powdered milk. If using cartons then dont worry.