Weaning Onto Formula

[LouisaJF]

DS has been exclusively BF for 9 weeks, and it's fair to say he's pretty greedy. In the last week we have been weaning onto formula, starting with one before bed, and we have now introduced a second bottle during the day.

He seems to be suffering a little with constipation, which isn't helping matters. He seems to cry an awful lot, and asking for the breast a lot. Obviously some of this crying must be down to the constipation, but he is shrieking when aking for the breast. Could it be that the breast feeds are not filling him as well as the formula, making him ask for more?

Has anyone got any ideas what might be behind this, or what I can do?

Louisa, what happens if you just put him back on the breast when he has had 2 sides? Or just bf him more often, in response to his 'asks'?

2 bottles of formula a day at this stage is likely to have an impact on your supply - gaps between breastfeeds is what reduces milk supply - and you may well have less, but the good news is that it is quickly 'fixed' by upping the frequency of bf.

HTH

In between bottles he seems to ask for the breast every 1-2 hours. It's his cry that worries me, it's a high-pitched wail that sounds so pained. I can't decide if there is genuinely a problem or if this is a new way of getting my attention, as it makes me react quite quickly.

Does anyone have any tips for relieving constipation? I've tried cooled boiledwater and tummy massage with a little success but he still isn't quite right.

If you think he's poorly then of course you could phone HV/doc.

Does bf soothe him and make him less miserable?

There's not much difference, to a baby, between being in pain/uncomfortable/needing attention - it all feels Bad News to the baby :(

He is fine once on the breast and generally will have a sleep or a play after.

formula constipated my breastfed baby, so if you feel he is uncomfortable then i would maybe just stop the formula for a while and see if that helps any.

we did find a different brand was fine for DS1, but it was trial and error.

He sounds fine then :)

Not sure why you would not be ok about bf when he wants - this will help with the constipation and address any issues with milk supply and keep him happy. He's only 9 weeks.

If you are planning on switching to formula fully, then you might have to do it more gradually, so his digestive system gets used to the change, and the impact on your breastmilk is more gradual. What do you think?:)

We are aiming at going onto formula full time as I have got to go back to work. I'm happy to BF on demand at the moment, but was getting a bit concerned about the frequency and wailing.

Glad someone sensible has stopped me being completely neurotic!

have you thought about expressing for when you return to work?

If you have some time, then you could express and store milk in the freezer in advance, so you begin to build up a stock of milk.

your baby is still very little, so crying is a completely normal way for him to ask for food. the frequency at this age is also very normal as well. there are peaks of growth spurts which increase feeding needs and he may well be building up to one, so feeding more frequently.

you're not neurotic! you're just trying to do the best you can for your baby.

I have been expressing for about a month but it's not very successful. With the best will in the world I will never be able to express enough. DH is also keen for me to move DS onto formula full time so that I can "get my body back".

The crying has settled in the last few days, and is definately linked to hunger. Just got to get his bowels moving a bit more regularly now!

[http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/bf-links-pumps/ Expressing Advice]

If you follow the above link, you will see lots of advice for different types of expressing and tips to maximise how much you can express, which may help.

If you want to give up breastfeeding, then I'd follow Tiktok's advice on dropping feeds, but if you want to continue, then you need to explain to your DH about all of the benefits of bf for you and your baby.

It's a fine balance, but I must admit I think your DH is being selfish if he wants you stop BF so you can "get your body back". Childbirth changes your body, sometimes permanently from stretch marks, to a different figure than before (and not just weighing more), your breasts will change as well - and that will have very little if anything to do with bf or ff. Your breasts have produced milk (something they would have done even if you ff from the start) and therefore they have enlarged with the milk production. You may find they are not the same as they were even when you stop breastfeeding, as your body has produced milk and been through pregnancy and childbirth.

By breastfeeding, you are reducing your risk of breast cancer by up to 25%. Your child is also developing a stronger, healthier immune system because you are breastfeeding and you and your baby are developing a close relationship because of it too.

good luck whatever you decide to do; it has to be the right decision for you, your baby and your partner.

sorry... link again: Kellymom

To be fair to DH, I think he meant reclaim my breasts to stop feeling like a dairy farm, rather than anything to do with getting my figure back.

I don't understand about feeling like a dairy farm.

You are a human being, feeding a human baby, with human milk, in a relationship which is loving, mutually enjoyable and sustaining. You do this in a family, which cares for each other.

Cows have four legs, udders, and are milked by machine. They live in herds.

What is the comparison?? :)

I also don't understand the rush to switch to formula unless you are returning to full time work next week....gradually swapping over is easier, gentler and more convenient for most people :)