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Weaning 6mth BF baby to bottle

4 replies

Inthesky42 · 06/01/2022 11:44

Hoping someone can help! I'm keen to begin giving up breastfeeding my 6 month old now as I will be returning to work earlier than with my first and would like her to reliably take a bottle from someone else! I completely failed to transition my first born to a cup until he was 14 months and self weaned due to my milk changing when I was pregnant with DD so I don't really know what I'm doing!
Which feeds would you try swapping out first? Any tips for getting them to take a feed from a bottle? I've just bought the much raved about NUK bottles that are supposed to be good for BF babies. I'm also trying Kendamil formula as it seems to be the only one that doesn't stink and taste funny!
She feeds roughly every 2houra still and the most I've ever managed to get her to take from a bottle is 2oz (then she wants topping up with breast afterwards) given she's a bit of a snacker how much can I reasonably expect her to drink at each feed when I drop it? I'm thinking expecting her to have 5 x 7oz feeds as outlined on the tin is a bit much considering she no doubt consumes less milk more frequently from breastfeeding. Also at 6 months would she still need a feed overnight? I currently BF her 2-3x a night at the moment.
Hoping to hear from people who've successfully moved from breast to bottle at this age!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
BunnyRuddington · 06/01/2022 18:05

Are you planning on still BFing at night?

Inthesky42 · 06/01/2022 18:37

Yes for now, although I'd like to eventually stop altogether, the night feeds will be the last to go I imagined

OP posts:
Mummyof2Terrors · 06/01/2022 19:30

I'm considering doing the same in the next few weeks. I stopped feeding my eldest when he turned 9 months but I did cold turkey and my milk went in about 2 weeks. He was easy as he took a bottle well. Second child isn't a huge fan of the bottle so I might try milk from sippy cup instead and see what happens...

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TreaclePlum · 06/01/2022 20:22

I can share experience, but I did it very slowly from 8m to 10m.

Firstly - check they'll take the bottle!!! Mine didn't for a while. At a week old she had some bottled boob as I had to express due to tortured nipples. Once they heeled I did nothing else with bottle.

At 6m I started to express milk of an evening and offer a bottle of formula instead. I'd hoped she sleep better with it but that didn't work haha. I'd still boob feed her to sleep. Anyway something to be mindful of!

I dropped first the second morning feed of the day first. Offered 4oz formula. Ignore the suggestion on the packet! If she drinks it all up then you can offer more. But wouldn't worry if she doesn't want it all!

I just every few days then swapped a random feed for bottle. Boobs kept up with it really well!

Weaning onto solids helped too gradually to have a bit more of a routine with feedings.

Just slowly and gradually is the key! She'll find the new routine. And go with your gut! X

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