Switching to Formula

[Beanhead2]

Hi, it would be great to get some advice. I have gradually been weaning my son (5 months) from bf to ff, as he is a really big boy and I just couldn't keep up with his needs. I am down to just two bfs per day, last thing and first thing. His night feed is a bottle. How do I stop producing the last bit of milk? Can I just stop? What will happen, I'm worried about getting mastitis, or worse.

thanks!

Beanhead, dropping two feeds at once maybe more than your body can cope with, and you're right to be concerned about mastitis.

Is it possible for you to go down to one feed a day, and then stay on that for a while, and then drop the very last one? That would probably be more comfortable for you.

On the other hand, you could carry on with the 2 feeds and you would find milk supply dwindles anyway, without you doing anything about it.

The fact you are maintaining some breastfeeding on just 2 feeds in 24 hours is an indication your supply may have been better than you thought Would you have preferred to breastfeed solely? I am asking in case there is a next time

Yes, definitely would have preferred to feed him 100% myself and have loved what I have been able to do. He had terrible reflux, so we had to give gaviscon in a bottle, which interfered with my supply plus, a tongue tie which went unnoticed by the hospital. Only when it was discovered by the HV at 6 weeks did the bleeding and cracked nipples recover, all this really affected my supply and it has been a continual battle with breastpump and feeding every 2 hours. I'm really sad to give up now as I have loved feeding him, but he is just so much happier on formula and that is the main thing.

One feed is probably the best way...then when I drop that one, do I just leave everything as is, or need to pump for a few days to relieve pressure? thanks for your advice

at the poor start you and your baby had.

Most mothers would not need to pump doing what you plan to do....just let nature take its course. Watch for lumps and bumps appearing on your breasts. Pumping without any need to do so would just prolong your supply.

Good luck

Sorry you have had such a bad time, but well done for getting as far as you did