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Infant feeding

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

Switching an 8 month old from breast to bottle

1 reply

Kate9648 · 14/07/2014 09:38

I've been breast feeding for 8 months, we've both enjoyed the experience but I've found it tiring as baby has always refused a bottle or formula we've been inseparable. For the last 2 months my supply has been dwindling and she's been waking every 2 hours through the night for extra feeds. We started weaning at 6 months and now eating well and established on 3 meals a day. I gave a bottle one last go before bed 4 nights ago like some sort of miracle she downed the lot and slept like a dream. We've continued for the last 3 days she fusses a lot as she's used to falling asleep at the breast but she eventually takes the whole bottle. She seems fine but she keeps squeezing me like she used to squeeze my breast, sucking on my shoulders and seems quite unsettled.

Do I just continue and persevere? I can feel my supply dropping and I'm worried if she decides she hates the bottle again and I'll have no breast milk to give her. I've been pumping just in case but hardly get anything out. I'm stressed as I feel so selfish for stopping breast feeding as she loves it but I really want some freedom and sleep back.

OP posts:
Letitgoletitgo · 14/07/2014 10:19

There is nothing selfish about stopping breast feeding, please don't stress yourself out. 8 months is brilliant, I only managed 6 with each of my DCs. It could be this stress which is causing your supply to diminish?

I would persevere with easing off the breast and onto the bottle if that is what you want to do. I dropped one fb a week and brought in a bottle - my plan was to do it slowly over about 6 weeks. However, after about 3 weeks DS decided bottles were far easier than breast feeding and stopped bf altogether. Go with what feels right for you. Your dd will not starve herself. She may like to squeeze them or suck your shoulder for comfort anyway and that is fine.

Good luck.

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