How to transition from EBF

[Cheesywholemealbread]

I have been breastfeeding my LO since birth. Having had Mastitis twice, I thought I was going to give up but something inside me encouraged me to carry on. I was gritting teeth and curling my toes in agony while going through the pain (as I also had latching problems). Thankfully that has all passed (touch wood) and almost 5 months in, I have really enjoyed the bond with my son.

I am however, going to continue to breastfeed but not full time as I want to slowly introduce Formula when he hits 6 months and when he is weaning. Combi-feeding I guess?
My question is, how do slowly introduce Formula without my boobs getting full and continuing to produce milk? I don't fancy getting Mastitis again for the third time
How do you 'drop a feed' if that feed means my boobs are full and ready to feed? There has been times where I would hand express to take the pressure off but even after an hour or so, they would fee full again.

Any help or advice would be hugely appreciated

[DragonbornMum]

How often and how long do you feed now?

[catsnore]

You could try expressing some milk into a bottle and see if he will take it to start with. Some breastfed babies 'refuse'! If he will take it, then you can start to slowly introduce formula by mixing it with your milk and gradually increasing the amount of formula. Your breasts should adjust as less demand is made.

Alternatively just keep breastfeeding as his demand will drop as he takes more solids, he will get much faster at feeding and the time between feeds will stretch out. Later on there is less risk of mastitis as your body is used to going for a lot longer between feeds. My one year old can go about 7 hours between feeds! Soon she'll only be feeding first thing in the morning and last thing at night 🤞

[WeWillRockyou]

He will naturally take less milk from you when he starts to take solids so I’m. It sure if it is the best time to do it.

[Cheesywholemealbread]

@DragonbornMum

How often and how long do you feed now?

So I used to feed him every 4-5 hours for about 30mins. However, after seeing the doctor, she said 30min feeds are quite long so now I have been doing it every 5-15mins every 2-3 hours. He has reflux
His bedtime feed is about 30-40mins depending on when he comes off the boob and I've noticed he doesn't have reflux with his bedtime feed. Maybe he is more relaxed and chilled out?!

[Cheesywholemealbread]

@catsnore

You could try expressing some milk into a bottle and see if he will take it to start with. Some breastfed babies 'refuse'! If he will take it, then you can start to slowly introduce formula by mixing it with your milk and gradually increasing the amount of formula. Your breasts should adjust as less demand is made.

Alternatively just keep breastfeeding as his demand will drop as he takes more solids, he will get much faster at feeding and the time between feeds will stretch out. Later on there is less risk of mastitis as your body is used to going for a lot longer between feeds. My one year old can go about 7 hours between feeds! Soon she'll only be feeding first thing in the morning and last thing at night 🤞

I expressed when my mastitis was bad and he took to the bottle absolutely fine. I've not fed him on a bottle for a while now though...

Good to know that he will take less milk as he goes on solids. I've read that weaning isn't a meal replacement and should still feed as normal. I'm just worried about my boobs getting full and the risk of getting mastitis again.

I dropped a feed as he was sleeping through uninterrupted up until around 6-7am, my boobs are so full that I have to hand express first when I wake up. However, LO has recently been waking in the middle of the night or not settling as soon as I put him down when means more feeding.

Sorry but I am so confused with the transition because if I am feeding more then surely my body will produce more milk? Even though I'm trying to slowly introduce formula in.

[Cheesywholemealbread]

@WeWillRockyou

He will naturally take less milk from you when he starts to take solids so I’m. It sure if it is the best time to do it.

When would you recommend the best time to do it?

[DragonbornMum]

@Cheesywholemealbread

So I used to feed him every 4-5 hours for about 30mins. However, after seeing the doctor, she said 30min feeds are quite long so now I have been doing it every 5-15mins every 2-3 hours. He has reflux
His bedtime feed is about 30-40mins depending on when he comes off the boob and I've noticed he doesn't have reflux with his bedtime feed. Maybe he is more relaxed and chilled out?!

Okay so you're on pretty regular feeds then? Usual BF, then after 2-3 hours give him a small bottle. The next feed is a breastfeed, and continue BF for the rest of the day. If you can't bear the pressure on your chest, express a bit even if it doesn't last long. It's just to take the edge off until your body adjusts

Do this for a few days or a week to allow your supply to adjust (or however long you want), then pick another BF to replace. Don't make it next to the existing formula feed. Again, do this for a few days until your supply adjusts

(I wish my son had had 30 minute feeds!!! Minimum 40 min and bedtime was a good hour and a half).