Moving to formula for nursery

[HettyMeg]

LO is almost 10 months and about to start nursery. She is ebf and was planning to express enough for 2 bottles at nursery as she bfs twice during day with me. But we've had a practice run with doing keeping in touch days and husband giving her bottle and she barely drinks anything (not an issue with bottle as takes it at bedtime). And I've found it quite arduous expressing enough during working day. Thinking about moving her to formula during day while at nursery and bf as usual at start and end of day. Has anyone else done this? Or should I just get on with it and express as she can have cows milk in 2 months anyway?

She also has three good solid meals a day

I wouldn’t bother with formula or pumping to be honest. She’ll be absolutely fine without milk during the day at this age, especially if she’s eating well. I breastfed, never pumped or anything, I went back to work around the same age, he just had food and water at childcare and I continued feeding on demand when he was with me. He’d just have an extra big feed when I picked him up.

I haven’t been in your exact situation but baby boy started nursery part time at 7 months and I gave formula from about 4 months during the daytime. I don’t know anyone who carries on ebf when baby is at nursery as you’d have to do some serious pumping preparation I would think! When I started baby at nursery they never even mentioned breast milk supplies or formula - I don’t think a single child there is only ok breast milk! On the positive side your bubba has had lots of breast milk for a long period of time so giving formula won’t do any harm whatsoever. Do whatever you need to that fits with the lifestyle you have! Good luck xo

I’d just tell them to give her a snack between meals instead which will probably be fruit. Then milk at home.

Don't worry about milk in the day at this age.

She can eat solids and drink water and nursery and bf when with you. You might find she has longer feeds and she'll just take when she needs when you offer it.

I don’t think most babies will need milk during the day while you’re not there by that age. I went back to work with an EBF 9 month old - she was absolutely fine with food and water while I was gone for 9-10 hours. Didn’t want the faff of bottles just for a few months! She had quite a bit of yogurt I think.

Thanks, I didn't even think of dropping milk altogether during day. I bought a couple of ready made formula bottles in case so I suppose I could send them with her and ask the staff to offer if she wants it after her nap.