Mums who switched from BF to FF

[skipperdoo]

I am interested in hearing from mums who made the switch from BF to FF - not interested in others opinions and speculations, only firsthand input.

Long story short, I've had mastitis twice in the last 6 weeks (once on each side) and am feeling really low (very painful, fevers of 38, chills/sweats, the works). I've just finished my latest round of antibiotics and my boob already feels sore again not 12 hours later... wondering if infection is still there, I can't feel a plugged duct but it feels like there are shards of glass just behind my nipple!

DD is 2 months, feeding about every 2-3 hrs in the day and sleeping 5 hrs for her long stretch at night. She is gaining weight along 75th centile and generally a content and peaceful little thing.

I won't make any decisions on a bad day, but from the beginning of our BF journey I haven't enjoyed it. I have oversupply and hate the constant feeling of engorgement, having to sneak off to hand express for relief when out and about, cracked nipples, constant leaking, not being able to predict a feeding schedule etc etc. and I've been making a pro/con list of switching to formula nearly every day. Midwife, health visitor, friends all said it would calm down around 6 weeks, boobs would be softer, supply would relax but none of that has happened.

How did others find making the switch? I don't care about the cleaning/sterilising aspect, but did you find the actual feeds went quicker? How long would they last on average? Did you find that you could actually schedule your day around feeds a bit more? How would you calm baby down when you're not feeding on demand (as right now the boob seems to be a cure all when she gets upset)? Did you notice a difference in digestion/reflux issues?

How did you make the switch itself? I've read about dropping one feed at a time, but how do you gauge if you're over feeding or not when you're doing a mix of both? How long did it take for your supply to stop/leaking etc?

Did you regret your decision? Find life easier/harder? Find any change in babies temperament?

Thank you so much from a desperate FTM... looking for firsthand viewpoints before deciding what to do, but firmly believe happy Mum happy kid and will take anything to make life a bit easier right now as we have no support and husband is back at work. X

9 years ago I could have written your post @skipperdoo

Honestly, I guilt tripped myself so much about switching to formula. One evening I had just hit rock bottom and my now exDH said enough is enough go to bed and get well again, he went off to get formula from the shop and that was it.

I cannot tell you the relief I felt after that.

I've gone on to have 2 more kids and have formula fed them from birth. It suits me, it suits my family. Did I ever have gully? Of course. Was it so much guilt that I wanted to go back to BF? Absolutely not!

So many people will tell you breast feeding is best, so many will tell you formula is best. It's cliche but it's whatever works for you and your baby x

When the MW/HV said it would improve at 6 weeks, I don’t think they mean there’s an exact date, it’s going to vary slightly from woman to woman. It’s only been 2 months so I’d give it a bit longer to settle down.

Fo what suits you best- it's better that you're a happy mam than a BF one...

I tried to switch to FF and switched back to BF very quickly. The gains on the comfort front in particular were too much for me to lose - already sleep deprived I just could not lose my quickest way to stop the crying!

On your supply if baba is starting to reduce time between feeds you will feel engorged before your body adjusts. When you express the extra to relieve pressure just take enough to feel better- what you take out your breast your body thinks baby drank and needs so will produce accordingly.