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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

from ebf to bottle - what to expect

4 replies

gretagrape · 25/06/2013 18:55

Hi. I have ebf son for 13 weeks but have finally accepted that I have to move to formula due to medical reasons (he has cow's milk allergy, symptoms did improve when I went dairy free but then got worse again so until he is on solids hospital can't diagnose exact additional issues).
It has been a v tough road for both of us but now I'm feeling scared about bottle feeding as we have only just got the hang of bf and I have no idea what to expect so I'd really appreciate advice on the whole bottle feeding malarky:
Official advice is to make up as you go, but does everyone do this? How do you do this when out and about or do you prepare before?
Son comfort sucks on night feeds (only last 10 mins or so) to get back to sleep - do bottle fed babies finish a feed nice and sleepy or would they suck on empty bottle/dummy or do you have to get them back to sleep yourself?
How do I know if he's had enough? With bf he pulls off suddenly at the end and he's done - will he just stop sucking from the bottle?
What if he hates the bottle? I'm not going to have the option of saying "oh ok, lets go back to bf" - is it a case of just being patient and knowing that he will take it once he gets hungry enough?
Sorry if the questions are a bit stupid - I suppose I just assumed I would bf until weaned so feeling a bit stranded now (and actually v sad even though it's best for him).
x

OP posts:
glorious · 25/06/2013 19:41

I can't help so I'm bumping for you. I'm sorry you're sad, I'm sure you're doing a great job. It sounds like you've had a tough time.

Splatt34 · 25/06/2013 19:42

I ebf, then combi feed then ff DD1. Can't answer all your questions but can help with some.

as far a making up the feed advise is to boil kettle, leave 30 mins then make feed and cool. We had a thermos (tommee tippee do a great change bag size one) in which we kept hot water for use with at home & out & about. once made the bottle is good for 2 hours so i would make the 11 am bottle at home at 10:15 just before leaving for baby group. When she got older I used the cartons of pre made stuff but there such a waste if they're nother taking all of it. There are pots avaluable with 3 compartments to put measured amounts of powder in.

roamingwest · 25/06/2013 19:46

Hi Greta, I really sympathise as I have just switched to ff from bf as I'm going back to work, and reverse cycling was just ridiculous with dd taking minimal formula during the day; pumping not practical. I too am v sad at stopping and had lots of similar questions esp re feeding to sleep.

To answer some of your questions, it was a struggle to get dd to accept a bottle but she got there eventually. I mixed ebm with formula (prepared!) and over time increased the proportion of formula and it did the trick. She didn't have the ability to suck a teat initially but nuk teats and putting pressure on her cheeks (trick used to get preemies to suck) worked.

She (still) will only take formula quite hot, so I make feeds as I go; at home with water from the kettle and cool under a running cold tap; out and about I bring a small thermos of hot water, sterilised bottles, and a little formula dispenser that you measure scoops into in advance. Really quick and easy!

I found that dd definitely doesn't get comfort / fall asleep on the bottle. She would always feed to sleep before so I now rock her to sleep (it has only been 5 days since I stopped feeding at night). I won't lie, the first night was brutal - many hours of crying and rocking. She is 21 weeks though so I'm sure you'll have an easier time at 13 weeks. When she has had enough she turns her head away and purses her lips; it's pretty clear. She doesn't comfort suck on a bottle, and doesn't take a soother. She gets great comfort from a couple of bunnies that I've used for ages in cot, pram etc, but doesn't comfort suck them or her fingers yet (hoping she'll start). You could cuddle one when you bf (I also sprayed milk on mine!) before stopping, I think it would help?

I hope some of this is helpful! It is some of the info I wish someone had given to me when I was working up to stopping. Good luck, and keep remembering that you are doing it for the best if that's what has been advised. Smile

gretagrape · 26/06/2013 09:33

thanks so much for the advice, I really appreciate it. I have to admit I find the idea of having to comfort him to sleep quite daunting as up until now if he wakes at night due to a dirty nappy he won't go back to sleep without a feed, so getting him back to sleep if he's not likely to feed/comfort suck to sleep is going to be my biggest challenge.
I haven't used any toys/comforters for him to associate with sleep yet, so maybe I'll introduce something now then once he moves to formula in a few days at least he'll be used to it being there.

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