giving EBF baby formula full time for a few days

[WhippettyWeekend]

I'm hoping someone may have been in this position and have some tips. I have a 5 month old baby who has been exclusively breast fed on cue up to this point. But now, due to kidney stones (horrendous), I'm on pain medication that isn't compatible with breastfeeding.

Does anyone have some tips on formula feeding in a way that will minimise disruption for him? The formula instructions all say 4-5 feeds per day of about 200 mls, but he's used to feeding more frequently than this, and I know from when I've expressed that he doesn't take 200ml in a go. Is it alright to feed less formula more often?

I'm also not sure what best to do about the fact boiling and cooling water means it can't be spontaneous in response to his cues, as he's used to. (He seems sensitive to cows' milk so not sure if the ready-made bottles are an option - at least, I haven't seen any lactose or dairy free ones in the supermarket.)

Would be so grateful for any tips!

Have you thought of accessing your local breast milk bank?

Thank you. I hadn't, because when I was thinking of donating myself I couldn't see anywhere local to me on www.ukamb.org/. Is there another source of banks I have missed?

It is reccomended that you formula feed on demand. Just like BF :) My son is exclusively FF and I use the package as a guide but really he just has what he needs. You will work it out fairly easily.

Make up 5oz bottles and see how much he takes. If he drinks only 3 but wants more later that's totally fine, whenever it is. If he drinks all 5 and wants more, give him more :) He will regulate himself.

I make up my bottles fresh using boiling water but top them up with cooled boiled water. So my son now has 7oz bottles as he's 9 months old.

In the fridge, I keep a spare bottle with 5oz of cooled boiled water. When he's hungry, kettle goes on and I pour 2oz of boiling water into a clean bottle, add 7 scoops of powder and shake to make sure it's all dissolved. This way, the formula is being sterilised properly. Then I pour in the 5oz of water from the fridge, shake and serve. Before feeing him I top up my water bottle with 5oz of water again, ready for the next feed. Takes around 2/3 mins in total including kettle being boiled.

Thank you so much, @Srsly
All the detailed information you have given is so helpful. I didn't have a clue about what to do! Very glad we can continue feeding on demand.

It would be quite common for your baby to get constipated as you switch. Paediatric advice I've heard is to put a couple of drops of prune juice in the formula.

Is your pain medication definitely not compatible with continuing to beast feed (if that's what you'd like to do) ? I'd speak to Wendy Jones at the breast feeding network (breastfeeding expert pharmacist) as a lot more is than Dr's tend to realise. if its definitely not she may be able to suggest an alternative.
I had surgery when DD was 6months old & she was very helpful and much more knowledgeable than the Dr's (& I'm a medic myself).

OP, I've safely (under medical care and awareness) fed my babies whilst on codeine, digydrocodeine, morphine, nefopam, tramadol, diclofenac, paracetamol, ibuprofen. Not all at the same time but usually a mixture. A 5 month old isn't a newborn so codeine guidance isn't such a big issue. However dihydrocodeine and tramadol are good alternatives. I've been on regular dihydrocodrine and paracetamol most of my life. LO is 3.7 years and never been affected, nor were his sisters. Hope you feel better soon.

Thank you all. How wonderful Mumsnet can be! @LorelaiVictoriaGilmore I'll get some prune juice to have on standby

@PerverseConverse and @rainbowgrimm thank you both very much. I had been advised not to by the doctors I saw, and hadn't thought to question the advice or look further into it. Now, reading your replies, I'm cross with myself for not having done so. I'll contact Wendy Jones. I was given a dose each of morphine and oramorph yesterday, and also one diclofenac sodium suppository. Then sent home with codeine, and diclofenac sodium tablets.

Wendy is fabulous! She has single handily saved so many bfing journeys.

Do check with Wendy op there are also guidance PDF's available on the breastfeeding network site. I have breastfed with GP and Consultant agreement on all the drugs you've mentioned.

breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/wp-content/dibm/analgesics%20and%20breastfeeding.pdf

[email protected]

Many thanks. That PDF is very useful, and I’ve contacted Wendy.