Stopping breast feeding - how and what do I need to ff?

[suntodayplease]

I am about to stop bf my 7 week old who until now has exclusively bf. I have never prepared a bottle of formula or given a bottle to a baby before so I've no idea what to do/what I need!

Can anyone advise as to the basics I'll need - how many bottles/size etc I assume the formula packet will tell me how much to give (but I'm guessing it will be a bit trial and error at first to guage how much DS needs?)

I have been feeding on demand, is bottle feeding different?
Also any advice as to what I need to do whilst milk dries up? Should I mix feed to reduce my supply?

Thanks

formula
bottles of your choice 2-3 will do but if you feel you need more go for it.
sterilizer (microwave ones are cheap and easy).

sterilize bottle.
boil a kettle, let the water cool, use the scoop to add formula TO WATER not the other way around. put lid on and shake until mixed.

hope I help

the formula will have an age/feed scale on the side just adjust size appropriately to suit your chikd

8-9oz bottles (the bigger ones).

there is literally no point in small ones at 7 weeks.

good luck

I wouldn't just stop bf outright as you risk mastitis. If you can, it would be better to drop one feed at a time, with maybe a few days in between to give you the time to adjust. Also try and avoid expressing unless you are really uncomfortable, and then only express a little to relieve the discomfort.

The NHS advice is to feed on demand whichever feeding method you choose.

HTH.

^ what she said.

Ive never bf do havnt a clue about that side of it

Thanks for the advice, I'm evidently clueless about the whole thing!
So perhaps introduce a bottle for one feed at first and go from there?

If I buy cartons of ready made formula to start with will I have problems switching to powder in the future?

If I am going to be doing both bf and ff for a while are there bottles which are best for this? Also I have no idea about teats, do I start with the smallest?

Thanks again

We've used both ready made bottles that live in the fridge for 2 days and mixing up powder. His tummy has been a bit grumbly when switching, but that could just be him. No reason for there to be a problem. If he's used to breast a small flow teat should be no problem. Then see from there.

My hv recommended dr brown bottles for reduced sucking in air. I think they all come with small flow teats anyway. Haven't had a problem mix feeding using them but they are all much of a muchness.

no you shouldnt have a problem if you make it correctly:)

I use dr browns-great for colicy babies.

I second dr browns bottles. I've just switched from Tommie tipper and they have been a god send!

In terms of how to make them just read the tins it's not difficult, cartons great when our, microwave steriliser quick and easy to use.

We always made ours in advance cooled them and then stored in the fridge for no more than 24h. It is not practical to make them when needed as babies don't have patience to wait for them to cool we never had a problem with the above approach.

figgy

I did that to but its not 'advised' so didnt want to get a grilling

Do remember that 'cooled boiled water' means water at 70C in order to sterilise the powder, not room temp. You can then flash cool and put in the fridge for up to 24hours if making in batches.

I'd definitely advise butting down gradually. One feed at a time is a good guide and do pay attention to how your breasts feel. Full and heavy is okay, sore/lumpy/inflamed isn't. If you see red patches appearing then seek medical advice.

Definitely do it one feed at a time. Otherwise your tits will really really hurt and you are likely to get mastitis.

Bottles - I use avent. At that age they might want medium flow teats. Get a slow, a medium and a fast and see what works.

I dropped night feeds first :). I also found my supply stayed with one am and one pm feed (7am and 7pm) but I dropped that too when work got too much.

Is there a reason you are stopping?

I can't find the link but there is a brilliant article about responsive bottle feeding on the Best for Babes website. Well worth a read.

Definitely take it slowly I have had mastitis in all 3 off mine and it is horrible. I used avent bottles on my ff babies, I bf my 3rd but used avent for expressed bottles I found them the best, easy to clean and with the new collar no drops. I would say get 6 bottles and then you only need to sterilise once a day. We washed bottles in the evening and made the feeds for the day reheating with hot water or a bottle warmer out of the fridge.

I BF my 11 week old DD except for 1 FF before bed and I use Breastflow bottles