Changing from 100%BF to Formula any advice how you to go about it???

[Bakester]

I feel that I would like to start to gradually transfer DD from Breast milk to formula she is 5 and half months and has just begun baby rice and simple purees this week. I am still giving 5 feeds a day approx 6am/10am/2pm/6pm/11pm. Any ideas/advice would be great

why do you want to go to formula, you have done such a great job at getting this far?

Because bf can be a pain in the arse!

If she likes formula milk well enough, then there's no adjustment required. She'll just take to it.

It might be upsetting for you to give up, but there's no evidence to suggest that babies give a damn one way or the other.

Mine certainly didn't. And you can reclaim your boobs. You've done really well getting this far. Don't let anyone convince you that you need to go any further, because dd won't mind.

Honestly.

You'll be dropping feeds really quickly if she's weaning. I was down to morning, mid afternoon and bedtime by 7 months . The afternoon one was really easy to switch to a cup ( although I did that at 12 months once the dcs could have cow's milk).

I would imagine the 11pm one could be dropped pretty soon - probably do that one first?

Tbh for 3 feeds a day, unless you have to finish b/f, I wouldn't be bothered with the financial outlay of bottles/tins, as well as the extra time involved, but then we're on a budget

All the best - it really shouldn't be too stressful - just take it slow and keep the "favourite" feeds for longer - like snuggly naptime ones.

Thanks for the advice. I have been expressing and giving the 11pm feed in a bottle most nights so bottle no problem. Have been sterilizing all bits of pump and bottle for sometime so hopefully should be ok

Desiderata I feel a bit like that and would like my boobs back and my body, but feel a bit guilty but then think 5.5 months is a really good shot.

Mmmmmmmmm still a bit undecided. My milk is low at expressing for 10.30 feed so think if i go for it I will drop that one first as she has begun to wake at 4am hungry when normally she sleeps through til 6/7. Maybe formula will help to up the volume.

Thought I would change over a feed a week so nice and slow

don't know if you fancy giving it a try but my hv said to mix the formula power straight in the food when you start weaning. Her feeds will drop off naturally and you can then just top up with bf. Don't know if this will help save time making bottles in the long run and expressing?? Did sound wacky to me but it has worked. Have explained it great so if your interested let me know.

Hey Bakester,

I'm doing exactly the same as you though I've only managed 4 months of bfeeding. I've started by dropping one feed every few days -have dropped 2 so far and replaced with formula. DS has had a bottle of EBM since 2 weeks old so he's fine with bottle and I give him the cartons of formula because I'm lazy and I figure a) it's easier b) even though it'smore epensive it's still cheaper than our cat food!

I feel sad about stopping bfeeding especially as it seems like the one thing that only I can do for him and selfishly I like feeling that I can do something for him but I'm sooo looking forward to getting back my body and to some extent my life.

Keep in touch -I'm interested to know how you get on and what you decide.

Hey Vmama

Took the plunge and went for it she had a bottle last night at the 11pm feed although weaning she still wants this feed. She drank 180mls 6 floz. I expressed as wanted to put some BM in freezer only 80mls produced 3fl oz Big difference. Was not a bit bothered that it was FM not BM. Slept through hurrah

Thanks for your support will now progress and wean me off to!! Can't wait for real underwear and a G and T!

Good luck with your transfer keep in touch