Switching from breastfeeding fo formula

[Hafj]

Advice/tips on switching from bf to ff please!

Baby is 10 weeks old and was exclusively bf until 8 weeks when we started to introduce formula. He currently has 3 bottles a day. He's had feeding issues since birth and 2 tongue tie divisions later (first at 6 weeks and second last week) things seem to be getting worse not improving!

I'm keen to switch to formula full time but the only way he falls asleep (even after a bottle) and is calmed down if he's upset is on the boob. We've tried a dummy but he only takes it in the car occasionally.

Other concerns - I can bf whenever but worried about overfeeding on formula alone. We also co-sleep as he refuses to sleep in the next to me and have read that this isn't safe when ff. We also stop after every ounce to burp him and he screams until he gets the bottle back so can't imagine giving him one in public😅

Anyone else had any of these problems? The main one is the feeding to sleep!

Thanks in advance x

Don’t worry about overfeeding, even with formula it’s incredibly rare and only really happens in babies with severe reflux that want to keep swallowing to relieve the burn from the acid. Babies are excellent at self regulating so when they’re full they’ll clamp their mouth shut or turn their head away. You also really don’t need to burp them every ounce and I’m not surprised he’s screaming if you’re interrupting feeds that often and he’s probably swallowing more air as a result. Waiting until the end of the bottle is usually fine unless they’re very gassy then I’d also burp when they’re halfway through. But no more frequently than that.

I would say keep trying with the dummy, mine would only go to sleep sucking too. My eldest sucked her thumb and the youngest had a dummy but we did have to push it on him a bit and try a few different brands (eventually had success with Mam). I don’t have any advice on cosleeping though- I assume you’ve already tried transferring him back to the crib once he’s fallen asleep next to you?

In the kindest way, you’re overthinking a little 😊

FF babies are settled to sleep in many ways - pushchair, bouncing, walking in a sling, car, bouncey chair etc. This applies at nighttime.

I don’t think you need to burp after every ounce either, he’s probably getting more windy after the screaming.

I agree that you don’t need to worry about over feeding. I think there’s a guide on the box for how much they’ll take but you still feed on demand.

We combi feed due to weight gain issues at 9 weeks old (now nearly 8 mo).

If you paced feed they're unlikely to overfeed - my understanding is that only really happens if they chug the bottles and don't notice they're full straight away.

My son hated the bottle being removed halfway though a feed - we just burp him at the end or if he comes off by himself. Never had any issues with colic etc, think it's down to the individual baby though.

No useful advice about feeding to sleep, I was very thankful my LO took a dummy alongside feeding to sleep.

We coslept almost full time until he hit 5 months. I read the thing about formula feeding and cosleeping is they get put higher in the bed so more risk from pillows etc? So if you keep LOs head level with your boobs and cuddle curl that would minimise any risk?

@tensmumsnot @TropicalTrama @Nejnej
Thanks everyone for the replies and advice! FTM and first in family/friend group to have a baby so don't have anyone to ask.

Reassuring to hear it's rare to overfeed!

HV was the one to suggest burping after every oz as we thought he was a windy baby (might only apply to when he bf though due to latch, seems better on bottle) and was diagnosed with silent reflux. We pace feed but he still drinks the bottle quite quickly! Will try halfway through from now on and will keep trying with the dummy. He has a high palate so might need to buy a few different ones to try, currently have MAM ones.

We've tried everything to get him to sleep in the crib. My tshirt inside, white noise, making sure to put down bum first, leaving a hand on him/patting, transferring straight away, transferring when in a deep sleep. I'm hoping when he's old enough to roll he will sleep on his stomach as he likes to sleep on us and on his side. Also tried putting him down on his side then rolling onto his back but doesn't work! He will only contact nap in the day too. I am a bit anxious when it comes to his sleep as he doesn't sleep much in general! A few weeks ago he would only do half an hour to an hour between 8am and 9pm.

@Nejnej How do you combi feed if you don't mind me asking? Did you have a routine/number bottles or top up after every bf?

I was you with my first baby, it’s tough going!

I found a consistent approach to naps and awake time windows worked for us. You’ll just need to find what works for you.

At 10 weeks id aim to settle to sleep after one hour awake. Remember that by the time a small baby seems tired, they’re often over tired and much more difficult to settle than when you get them at the right time.

7am wake and feed
8am draw the curtains, white noise, dummy and cuddle with bum pat or put in the bouncey chair and bounce away! Or whatever you choose.

10am wake and feed
11am repeat sleep routine

I tended to do the last nap as a pushchair nap most days.