Changing from breastmilk to formula using cups...

[Bex22]

I#ve been exclusively breastfeeding my 6month year old and wanted to start changing to formula. I optimistically thought he could go straight to using a cup but I have BIG problems. He will drink water from the cup but absolutely refuses formula- shaking his head from side to side and getting in a terrible state. I am in a terrible state too because I am worried that he isn't getting the 600ml recommended and that I will still be breastfeeding him when he is five at this rate. I'm trying not to give in and feed by the breast but I feel so guilty!! How can I make him like formula? Should I worry so much about how much milk he has. He is eating three good meals a day.

Hi Bex, just thought I would reply to this to bump it up for you.

I'm afraid I don't have experience of formula feeding as my DS is still going on the boob at nearly 16 months. It sounds like you're getting a bit stressed. Are you stopping because you are going back to work, or for other reason?

Cheers! Nice to hear from you again. Main reason for stopping is that it took me an awfully long time to have this babe and I want to give myself a few months for periods to return to normal before starting trying again for next!! Don't mind taking a month or two to wind down but would like to know that there is an end in sight

Hmm, I can see why you'd want to cut down. For me I found that DS cut down a lot on his feeds by 9-10 months when he really started motoring with solid food (he eats pretty much anything now). How would you feel about seeing how it goes for a couple of months - you may find that your periods return as he starts to drop feeds. All women are different tho - my periods came back at 4 months, then a gap then regular from 6 months, others don't get theirs until bf stops completely.

Other than that, friends who stopped at around 6 months went on to bottles. Milk + sucking is pretty comforting and 6 months is still fairly young. I appreciate you may not want to try a bottle, but thought I would mention it.

One final thought in response to your first post:
"I'm trying not to give in and feed by the breast but I feel so guilty!! How can I make him like formula?"

Don't feel guilty. You have done a wonderful thing for your baby, it's not 'giving in' to give him the breast - it's just what he's used to and it will take him a while to get used to formula.

Hope some of this helps