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Infant feeding

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

Weaning 7m old bottle refuser onto formula for return to work, getting stuck!

8 replies

BarberryRicePud · 30/11/2013 21:24

DD is just 7m but pretty big, 91-98th centile. She's been ebf and started solids at 5m which she loves.

I go back to work in 6 weeks and I work in a profession where expressing/continuing night feeding is not possible. She has to be weaned (which is a shame as I'd love to have carried on but needs must).

We've cut back day feeds slowly and she is now just bf for evening feed before bed, overnight feeding and first thing in the morning. BUT she'll only take 1-3oz max at each feed in the day, and doesn't take much water either. I've tried bottle (acts like I'm trying to poison her) various cups (sippy/valved/doidy), DH giving the milk (even worse), quiet room (relatively as I have a 3yo too).

So, do I carry on feeding for evenings and morning and stop bf overnight and just offer formula? Or should I go cold turkey from here? And hope she picks up her day feeds when I stop the overnights (she's clearly doing catch up overnight btw)?? Is it worth trying other cups or different formula?

Currently (all times approx)
Wakes at 6ish BF
7ish breakfast
1030 offer milk, offer 30 mins later if refused
12 lunch
230 offer milk, and again 30 mins later
430-5 tea
6 offer milk
Bath/bf/bed by 7
Usually wakes 2-3 times before 2am at which time I give up and tuck her in with me and we both finally get some sleep. This partial cosleeping also needs to stop regrettably, as when I go back to work there will be some nights when I'm not able to be at home and I don't want her used to me being there and cry all night when I'm not.

DS was also a bottle refuser but self weaned at 7.5m which was marvellous timing! He just preferred a cup. So I'm a bit stuck really.

Any ideas from those who've been there really appreciated. Thanks.

OP posts:
spiderbabymum · 30/11/2013 21:32

This worked for us

www.amazon.co.uk/NUK-First-Choice-Learner-Bottle/dp/B000KUAL54

spiderbabymum · 30/11/2013 21:33

And leaving it to the nursery nurses !

spiderbabymum · 30/11/2013 21:34

I know ...not ideal ...but when hungry she tool a bottle ...with this soft spout .......

helterskelter99 · 30/11/2013 21:38

He will only drink hipp formula ( I bought them all!) and he drinks if he's hungry / needs it so often refuses the am bottle at nursery but mostly drinks the afternoon one. I did a fairly extended settling in period to make sure we cracked it
Nights if I am there he has me if I'm not daddy is okxx

BarberryRicePud · 30/11/2013 22:03

Thanks to you both for reading. I haven't tried that cup or Hipp, so will give them a go.

I know she's ok at the moment just needing to drop more feeds and not sure what will happen. Hoping if she gets really thirsty she will drink.

OP posts:
Alanna1 · 30/11/2013 22:17

I was you. Don't go cold turkey - its a big thing for a little one. I bf before (6.30am) and after (7pm) for about a month when I was back at work, then dropped to one feed. She was very unhappy with a bottle for the first week (would take a couple of ounces to satiate her thirst / edge off hunger) then would wait for me. Two weeks later she was fine. They learn. Also we were feeding when not properly hungry. Good luck!

BarberryRicePud · 30/11/2013 22:25

Thanks Alanna. I could probably continue a morning feed for a while even when back at work but I'm concerned she'd just hold out for that and stubbornly refuse everything else. Good to know it clicked for your dd after a couple of weeks.

I agree about the hunger thing. She's eating so well I'm not sure she feels much of a need for milk in the day. If she was taking plenty of water I don't think I'd be that bothered, but she's not getting enough fluids, nappies are much drier in the day now.

OP posts:
mrsmalcolmreynolds · 01/12/2013 09:38

DD eventually took formula from the Brother Max training cup system. It has a starting off configuration with a wide-mouthed soft spout that has to be manipulated in much the same way as a breast in orderto get milk out.

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