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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Advice on weaning 8mo from BF to formula so I can go back to work.

21 replies

digitalgirl · 13/03/2009 20:03

Have no idea how to do this.

6mo DS breastfed and we've started BLW. Am in a routine of sorts, usually BF him after a sleep/nap. Then prepare him some food to gnaw on. Been BLW for about 3 weeks now and he's only just started to chew and swallow certain foods (but main intake is still very much milk).

Looking to go back to work early May and thinking I'll have to spend April slowly weaning him off the daytime feeds. Do I just offer him cups of formula when I would normally BF him? How do I know how much to give him, will this interfere with BLW?

OP posts:

thisisyesterday · 13/03/2009 20:05

if you wanted to you could just carry on breastfeeding him before and after work?

StarlightMcKenzie · 13/03/2009 20:12

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Original poster

digitalgirl · 13/03/2009 21:12

Am planning on feeding before and after work, but would a morning and evening feed be enough at 8 months? Would he need formula during the day?

OP posts:

liath · 13/03/2009 21:15

I would express at work at lunch time and give nursery enough EBM for one feed and if he wanted more they could give formula. Breast fed before and after work then bed time. How many days a week will you be working?

Original poster

digitalgirl · 13/03/2009 21:20

I will be working three days a week - not sure if these days will be the same every week or if they'll allow me to be flexible (so my mum can look after DS around her shift pattern).

Got a meeting next week in new office location - so will check out whether they have a room I can express in and a fridge to store it in. But, not sure how successful expressing will be, have never been that good at it.

OP posts:

callmemamma · 13/03/2009 21:29

One big bottle of formula(or ebm) between lunch and dinner should be enough for 8 months old.At least this is what we're doing ever since my dd dropped 11am bf.Apart from that I breastfeed her first thing in the morning and before bed.

liath · 13/03/2009 21:34

I was normally crap at expressing but would get a bit engorged at work so could usually get off 6-8oz. I was always a bit scared of leaving EBM in the fridge by mistake so I took a little cool bag with ice pack to put the milk into and that kept it cool enough until I got home. You could probably get away without tring to wean him for day time feeds before going back to work TBH especially if you're going to be part-time.

Original poster

digitalgirl · 13/03/2009 21:34

calledmemamma - when did your DD drop the 11am feed?

I'm concerned that because DS is BLW he'll take ages to start replacing milk with solids, we're currently on about 6 bf's a day (including a midnight feed).

OP posts:

charitygirl · 13/03/2009 21:38

Hi DG - I'm on the same return to work timetable as you (though DS is a couple of weeks younger) and have just started BLW - I really doubt that DS will be eating enough to go without milk in the day at that point.

Now he's 6 months by every possible measure, I'm going to try him on a carton of formula next week. I am fully expecting him to be outraged.

Original poster

digitalgirl · 13/03/2009 21:46

hiya charitygirl! how are you getting on with BLW and will you be giving the formula in a cup?

I occasionally attempt to give DS water in his doidy cup. I think he like the sensation of water passing over his lips (and down his chin and neck and pooling in his lap).

OP posts:

callmemamma · 13/03/2009 21:47

Hmm...about 4-5 weeks into weaning.seems a long time ago nowShe just started refusing breast,so I gave her formula few times just to make sure it was not "distraction-too much going on around me" kind of thing.She was only reluctantly taking in 2-3 onces so i've decided not to bother.

charitygirl · 13/03/2009 21:56

We're only a week in, and I tried to give him water in a besker today (with lid on, and with lid off). I waved it under his nose and he grabbed for it and chewed the spout/rim joyfully with seemingly no knowledge that there was water in it.

So we might start foruma in a bottle but keep offering a bit in a cup - am going to stock up on cartons as am to lazy to deal with powder.

So far he's only had banana (he loves it I just half peel it and he holds it all 'properly' - bless) and steamed veggies - broccoli is his fave. I;m going to try toast tomorrow. I find the gagging a bit stressful even though its clearly just because his reflex is very far forward due to solids being so new to him. He bit an enormous chuck of banana off yesterday and I didn't let him come to terms with it at all, just prised it out of his mouth. Which is not really in the rules...

Bless my dad - he found a BLW DVD by Gill Rapley in a charity shop (random, I know). Didn't have much on it I didn't know but so useful for giving to GPs who'll be caring for him, and the childminder (who I suspect will be sceptical though she did suggest going straight from breast to cup, with no bottle...)

What's the most complex thing you;ve given him so far? What a ramble, sorry!

charitygirl · 13/03/2009 21:57

aargh typos!

Original poster

digitalgirl · 13/03/2009 22:12

Contrary to every other baby being weaned DS really doesn't like banana. I keep offering it to him and he takes it, but as soon as a bit breaks off in his mouth he shivers, spits it out and drops the piece in his hand.

The most complex thing I've given him...hmm, he's grabbed my roast beef and horseradish pitta and chewed/sucked on that. He loves sucking on strips of roast beef. Basically anything he can suck the juice out of he likes - fruit, meat, watery veg, buttered toast. Anything that 'breaks' without releasing any juice he hates - banana, avocado, carrot. Although he likes roasted parsnips/sweet potato.

Whoops, this thread is veering off topic. Back to weaning off BF, so if DS is repeatedly 'distracted' and has a bit of crap feed, can I just take this to mean he's looking to drop that feed?

OP posts:

charitygirl · 13/03/2009 22:15

Oops you're right! Sounds like you're doing well...the 'juice' tip is helpful!

Will await the answer to your question with interest.

Shitemum · 13/03/2009 22:21

Can you express at work and someone give your DC the expressed milk during the day?

StarlightMcKenzie · 14/03/2009 15:43

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Shitemum · 14/03/2009 21:53

Starlight -I think cow's milk is only recommended from the age of one tho'...

I never gave mine cow's milk or formula to drink. Just water and BF. I didn't have to go back to work tho'...feel for those of you who have to juggle that with BF.

Shitemum · 14/03/2009 21:54

Just to clarify, they had cheese and yoghurt but not cow's milk as a drink.

StarlightMcKenzie · 14/03/2009 22:20

This reply has been deleted

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Original poster

digitalgirl · 15/03/2009 19:16

Ok, so it looks like DS has begun to go longer between feeds. Which means potentially by May we might only need to supplement one or two of the feeds depending on how bad my commute home is (district and northern line and bus - so many opportunities for delays).

Not sure if a feed in the morning and a feed at bedtime counts as main nutrition though so may have to try expressing.

If expressing isn't an option would I still be able to feed during the day on my days off?

OP posts:

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