Cold turkey breastfeeding.

[Depressdgrace]

My lo is 8 months and for varies reasons I've decided to put her on formula. She's dairy free with possible other allergies so she's been given neocate due to throwing up with normal formula. Please don't judge but has anyone else done it. I've tried introducing cups bottles etc for weeks and all refused. She doesn't mind the taste too much as she'll take it syringed. I haven't feed since yesterday morning. She has eaten bits of solids and taken the odd oz here and there. Should I keep going I feel bad but she wasn't taking the gradual weaning easy. Health visitor was of no help what's so ever. Said keep going with breastfeeding. Tried every bottle possible!

I can't help with much but a friend's daughter was on the same formula and she was advised to put a drop of vanilla in with it to make it taste better.

I've had two bottle refugees, both could take it but had a marked breast preference.
With the first I chose a feed to replace with a bottle and just offered the bottle for that feed every day, something clicked after a couple of months and in the end it was a battle getting her to give up bottles.
My second will take water out of a bottle and milk if she needs it but she'd rather starve than have formula long term no matter what I do.
I think I'd say keep expressing to keep your supply up and give it a few days to see if it clicks.
Definitely get in touch with your local la Leche league I'm sure they'd be able to give advice.

I weaned my little one off the boob and onto neocate at exactly the same age - by going cold turkey! We were getting absolutely nowhere with bottles - just complete refusal. I tried nesquick powder at the recommendation of my HV and also vanilla extract (not essence) but neither helped a great deal to be honest. I know exactly how you feel, it's incredibly hard to just stop feeding them all of a sudden and go cold turkey but for me it was the only way possible because I was at the end of my tether and nothing else was working!! So from my experience I'd say stick with it - mine soon learnt that milk was only coming from the bottle!! It took a while to build up to taking a decent feed but as long as you're getting some wet and dirty nappies don't get too hung up on volume for the first few days. My tip to you would be to express some milk a few times each day to relieve your discomfort - I didn't thinking it would stimulate production but ended up in agony! You're doing the right thing if it feels right for you - and from experience it makes weaning a multiple allergy baby much easier once you remove the complication of what you're eating. Good luck with it and feel free to ask any questions x

I think we got 4 today but she's barely taking fluids this is day 2 of no feeds. We put milk into her food and gave her melon and few sips of water. How long did it take for her to take to it. Lo is taking a bit of one oz every few hours. I'm expressing when I'm full to mix with the neocate. Tried vanilla and nesquik she was less likely to take it then. I feel so bad want to give up but know its the right thing for her. I'm off dairy and egg but something is causing an allergy. :(so glad u messaged glad I'm not alone

How long did it take with your lo?

Can you slow it down. Going cold turkey puts you at risk of blocked ducts and mastitis.

What about dropping 1-2 feeds for a few days then drop 1-2 more Every few days til you are done.
It’s a tricky time for both of you. Maybe try and find a new special thing the two of you do together (a special teddy, doll, book or song. Also try be patient with yourself even if you have a set back or two.

Have you tried MAM bottles? They have flat teets instead of round ones like most other bottles. That's the only one my LO would have.

Don't feel guilty for stopping BF, you've fed your LO for months! You have done amazing and should be very proud 💜

I would wean the LO off BF gradually though. For reasons of comfort and also looks as if you stop suddenly I believe you're also more likely to get saggy skin

I am going to throw a spanner in the work and say can you try Goat Formula nanny care?

This saved me and my son from utter despair

X

I'm v pro bf but sometimes a bottle is necessary.

My milk dried when dd was 9 months - instant! (Hormones)

We struggled too then my mum suggested softer latex nipples which are far more similar in feel to human nipples and easier to suck (try sucking a silicon one it's like trying to suck a golf ball through a straw!)

Like these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0013NFOS6/ref=mpssa112aa_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1547180208&sr=8-2&keywords=latex+nipple&dpPl=1&dpID=41fDpO0855L&ref=plSrch

Can't help with the formula as that's due to allergies sorry.

My two also refused bottles. Neither would ever take formula from me as they could smell my milk, I never tried cold turkey, I just weaned early. Good luck, just watch out for your own health with cold turkey as it’s a quick way to get mastitis which is just horrible.