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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

am changing from breast to bottle tomorrow and dont know what im doing.

30 replies

reallytrying · 27/04/2008 19:48

im having to change and am going to use aptimil.ive been feeding him when he wants but cant do that with bottles or can i?can i still bf and bottle feed ?he weighs just under 15lb and i have no idea how many bottles i should even give him.he has been feeding when he needs it so each day is different?
Can anyone help me please.

OP posts:
somebodyhelpme · 27/04/2008 19:52

hi there, it is perfectally possible to mix feed, why do you need to stop? there are many schools of thought on bottle feeding, you can still feed on demand, even with a bottle, my friend is doing this, or you could go for a routine,

UppsyDaisy · 27/04/2008 19:53

Hi really. Yes you can feed him however you like with bottles. Make up all the bottles with water in the morning then you can use them as you go through the day. How old is he?

onepieceoflollipop · 27/04/2008 19:53

It sounds like you have mixed feelings about changing over? Do you really have to? Obviously it is entirely up to you but if you have questions prior to making an absolutely final decision perhaps you might benefit from chatting to a bf counsellor?

I have done mixed feeding since 25 weeks with my dd2. She only has the occasional bottle of SMA (several times a week). You can definitely feed on demand/when he wants with bottles, just as you have been doing with b/f (in fact I think it is recommended). On the formula tin/packet it will advise you how much she should offer him. This will also depend on how much your ds wants so may vary from day to day.

If you do a mix of bottle and breast then your supply is likely to drop. This is more of a risk (iirc) if the baby is still quite young.

Hope you get the support you need.

Original poster
reallytrying · 27/04/2008 19:54

hes 5 months

OP posts:
UppsyDaisy · 27/04/2008 19:54

Also, please PLEASE don't feel guilty. We've all been bloody brainswashed. I had a really bad experience which I won't go into but by NOT giving my DS a bottle I was actually starving him and he had to go to a paediatric consultant.

onepieceoflollipop · 27/04/2008 19:54

UppsyDaisy it is no longer recommended to make up all the bottles in advance - there have been recent threads on this. Due to risk of hygiene/contamination.

onepieceoflollipop · 27/04/2008 19:57

No, don't feel guilty. We all make the best decision for our own babies/families that we can at the time. However it is important that if you feel you want to explore/discuss this further (and it sounds as if you do), it is important that you get some decent advice.

Tiktok and others will give really good impartial advice on here.

UppsyDaisy · 27/04/2008 19:58

sorry, in a hurry as my dh is dishing up my tea . But really, at 5 months you are not depriving your son of anything. Honestly. You've done really well to get to this point. Yes, your supply may diminish but presumably you'd be giving up at some point and giving up is hard whenever you do it. Didn't know that about the bottles thanks onepiece, I can't imagine how it's bad but I guess it's best to err on the side of caution at all times isn't it.

Original poster
reallytrying · 27/04/2008 19:58

thank you.i have very personal reasons for this.

OP posts:
onepieceoflollipop · 27/04/2008 20:07

Uppsy it is to do with the powder not being sterile. It should be made up freshly with water at a high temp. (over 70 I believe). The formula manufacturers all suggest slightly different things so it can be a bit confusing/misleading.

Yes imo best to err on the side of caution, or at least to be aware of the facts and make a decision that is right for you personally.

reallytrying hope some of this has helped you. (not the bit about the water temp, I mean the support!)

Original poster
reallytrying · 27/04/2008 21:11

what do i do if my baby doesnt like the formula?

OP posts:
Caz10 · 27/04/2008 21:20

reallytrying from what i've read on here it seems to be that babies switching from bf-ing aren't keen on the actual bottles as opposed to the taste of the formula itself - has your LO had breast milk from a bottle before?

do you have the chance to switch over more gradually? eg offer a formula feed, then if he won't take it and is getting stressed, then just go back to offering boob, then try again next feed? That way your boobs won't get too sore either?

I agree, a bfc would be able to explain properly how to do it.

If you're just offering a little formula at a time, these little cartons of pre-made aptamil are good, no need to worry re making up the bottles etc until you get mor into the swing of things?

Original poster
reallytrying · 27/04/2008 21:49

i dont think im going to sleep tonight with all this.i feel a bit panicky by it
thankyou for all the advice.

OP posts:
onepieceoflollipop · 27/04/2008 23:04

Please come back here tomorrow if you need more support.

If at all possible you need to try and cut down gradually, your breasts are likely to become engorged if you don't.

My dd1 refused a bottle or cup with formula or ebm at 5 months BUT my dd2 will drink formula or ebm out of anything, with no complaints.

I can understand that you might not want to post very personal reasons on mnet, would it be easier for you to talk one to one with a bf counsellor to get more tailored advice as we might be saying things that aren't relevant to your situation?

Alambil · 27/04/2008 23:31

RT is posting under a pseudonym tonight as she's feeling really wobbly about doing this...

Her reasons are exceptionally personal and impossible to talk about with anyone other than she's told already - there is no other option though. Bottle feeding is the only choice for RT and her baby.

I wonder if we can stave off the questions and offer support without reason? I hope so

Hope what I've said is ok RT; you WILL manage this x

onepieceoflollipop · 27/04/2008 23:35

That's a really thoughtful post LF.

I was trying to be sensitive (and really hope I was) as soon as RT mentioned (quite early on the thread) that she had very personal reasons.

Just thinking of her and her little ds and hoping the transition goes as smoothly as possibly for them.

tiktok · 27/04/2008 23:38

RT, not sure what you are asking, sorry. You say you have to change but you also want to mixed feed....do you mean you have to introduce some formula, or do you mean you have to change completely?

Your HV should be able to offer support and info about quantities, preparation and so on.

Has your baby had bottles or formula before?

Hope we can help.

Alambil · 27/04/2008 23:43

Tiktok, RT needs the transition to full FF to be as fast as is possible... smooth as possible too

are there any guidelines on the net or somewhere about quantities for a 5mo baby?

Hope I'm not talking in your place too much RT ... tell me to naff off if you want

Alambil · 27/04/2008 23:44

oh and sorry if you thought I was digging at you lolli - I really wasn't...

onepieceoflollipop · 27/04/2008 23:50

No LF, I wasn't worried about anyone having a dig at me (but thanks for your post).

I was just worried that by trying to give general advice/support earlier in the thread I may have unwittingly been insensitive to RT.

Btw I am not answering on behalf of tiktok, but just to say my package of formula (I use sachets of SMA) suggests that a 4 month old be offered 5 feeds in 24 hours (230ml each feed) and a 6 month old baby 4 feeds (250ml each) and to feed on demand. Presumably a 5 month old somewhere in the middle. HTH.

tiktok · 28/04/2008 09:38

Yep - guidance on the pack is as good a starting point as any, and then RT can adjust upwards or downwards in response to what her baby needs.

To switch over completely has to be done methodically, for safety (to avoid engorgement, mastitis or even abscess)...best plan is to substitute a breastfeed with a formula feed, and to do one more sub every three to four days.

This is the quickest way for most women - extending the gaps between breastfeeds reduces the amount of milk made and slows down the production line.

Hope it works out.

finallypregnant · 28/04/2008 10:03

Can't offer any support to you but just wanted to wish you well and I hope the transition goes well for you. Good luck,

Alambil · 28/04/2008 10:16

thanks tiktok

copingvquietly · 28/04/2008 13:41

well it all went wrong and i ended up having to bf him
hes asleep now.

copingvquietly · 28/04/2008 13:42

fuck wrong name.shit

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