Breast to Bottle

[Happymum1985]

Hi all, my LO is now 22 weeks and I have decided to stop breastfeeding. Not entirely sure how to go about it.. Do I introduce one formula feed at a time or doesnt it matter? How slowly should I do it? I have expressed from birth so he is used to taking milk either from a nipple or a bottle.

Also, very clueless about which formula to get! Do I need the starter milk, or because he is nearly 6 months should I use the Cow and Gate Follow-on milk? Is one brand any better than another? And what kind of quantity should I be giving him? Have read somewhere that putting breastfed babies onto formula can upset their tummies. Is this true?

Sorry for all the questions! As you can tell, help would be v well received!

I would do one feed at a time to reduce the risk of mastitis allowing a few days in between to allow your supply to adjust.

All formulas are basically the same (they follow a formula that is prescribed), so you may as well pick the cheapest one that is readily available in the shops near you. Follow on milk is unnecessary - the NHS recommend using first milk till 12 months, then cows milk. Follow on only exists so that formula companies can advertise their products as they are banned from advertising first milk. Some people swap to follow on simply because it can be included in special offers and points promotions, unlike first milk. It often has extra iron which can cause constipation.

Yes formula does increase the risk of digestive upsets, such as constipation, but it isn't a given that this will happen. As for quantities, there will be a guide on the packaging, but a ebf baby may well take less than those suggested amounts. You should demand feed like you would with breastfeeding, and be guided by what your baby seems happy to take.