From breast to formula? Help!

[melc78]

Hi ladies, I am a first time mum, and currently breastfeeding my DS. He is moving onto solids at the moment (almost 7 months). I have had repeated issues with my left breast, two bouts of antibiotics to clear up infections and cracked nipples (latch has been ok, so not sure whats going on). As much as I would like to continue breastfeeding him, I am getting more and more distressed by the pain and blood from my left breast. My most recent bout of antibiotics stopped this morning and this evening the bleeding returned!
I am thinking maybe it is time to move towards formula, primarily as I cannot cope with much more pain. Any advice?

Use a cup like a Doidy cup rather than a bottle? Mix the ebm with the formula to dilute the taste? Offer it cold rather than warm? Try the ready made? Try different brands?

What is it you are concerned about?

Hi Levismum, I don't know how to go about changing over, or indeed if it is something I should do. SO many doubts in myself if its the right thing, or if I should just keep persevering with the repeated outbreaks of infection and feed through them.

Hi. Ask advice from you Health Visitor, but be assertive with what's right for you and baby. I went to formula at 3 months and the HV made me feel bad about it when I was exhausted, bleeding/painful nipples and drying up. my baby is thriving and very content, so I know I did the right thing for us. :-)
I had expressed a fair bit of milk before going to the bottle and frozen it. This allowed me to gradually make the change over to formula by alternating the feeds. If you're still able to breast feed too, it is easier to wean your baby off by gradually doing it.
That aside, I use Tommy Tippee closer to nature bottles and teats and had no problems. My LO took to the bottle straightaway due to the close to nipple shape and feel.
You will have to express a little bit when you bottle feed if you want your milk to continue. Then gradually stop your milk by not expressing/feeding and it can be a bit painful at first when you have to go longer periods to help dry them up, as your boobs will be heavy and achey (almost like pins & neddles). I took about 4 weeks all told before no leakage.
Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide hon.
Remember the most important thing is your health for your baby's well-being x

If it is just one breast that is giving you problems have you considered just feeding from the other side?

Hi OP.
I have just made the move from breast to bottle for my 5 month
old as I'm starting back at work 2 days a week. I was lucky in that breast feeding has been really very straightforward for me; not sure I could've persevered faced with what you've had to, sounds bloody painful. It sounds like you are ready to move on from bf and I think that's fair enough.

Have you tried a bottle yet? My baby was a total refuser and it's been tough getting her to take one. If your baby struggles I recommend using nipple shields for a few days when breast feeding to get him used to the silicone. I also reccomend Hipp organic - my DD doesn't seem to be able to differentiate between that and expressed milk. She does like it to be body temp warm like breast milk though. Maybe try to combination feed for a short time to help with the transition if you can, I can't as it just reminds DD of the boob, which she would much prefer, so having to stick just with bottles, which I feel really mean/sad/guilty about.

I'm still producing milk, but less of it, and expressing for comfort. I wasn't sure how long that will go on for.... Mars, your post has been helpful to me too so thank you.

Sterilizing/making up feed does feel like a pain compared to bf and I felt a lot more emotional about finishing that I would've expected, so maybe prepare yourself for that. I think hormones play a part too.

Good luck! Sounds like you've done a great job in tough circumstances.

Thank you ladies for you help on this. I think it could well be time to move to formula now. It's going to be sad time for me, but I think for my own sanity it has to be done. Not too sure I can cope with another bout of infection!
I will try the combination of bf and formula, and see how it goes.
Once again, thank you :)