Weaning baby from EBF to formula help

CHoll251601 · 2025-04-17T10:55:19+00:00

Hi All Help needing. I am thinking to wean my baby on formula from being EBF. My milk supply has significantly dropped the last few weeks and just doesn't seem to be or will ibe enough for baby anymore. My right breast produces less then an ounce when pumping and I just can't get it up no matter what I do so practically only feeding on my left breast which doesn't seem to be keeping up with babies demands. Baby loves to be held and it's really hard for me to keep up a pumping schedule and some days I just don't have the time/hands to do so. I would love to continue breastfeeding but I don't think it's realistic. How do I wean my baby off EBF to formula? What's the best milk to help prevent digestion problems or spit ups ect. My baby isn't a very good burper and is more a farter/pooing (he doesn't hardly have wind or in pain just simply prefers it coming out the other end lol) I would appreciate any help!! Thanks

IDontHaveTimeForFoolishness · 17/04/2025 12:10

Hi, I went for EBF to formula with all three of mine. I startedwith using a nipple cover on the breast to get babies used to the type of nupple that would be on a bottle to help with the transition, then I would express breast milk into a bottle and feed baby, and gradually mix in formula i.e one feed breast milk, and towards the night the formula (but only after I was sure there were no issues). I used aptamil formula as that worked best for mine I think it was one of the closest to breast milk (no issues). It worked for me so hopefully it'll help you some. Good luck and remember a fed baby is best. Xx

MagpiePi · 17/04/2025 12:11

What is the reason that you are pumping? Couldn’t you just concentrate on full time breastfeeding?

I could never get more than a few dribbles out with pumping but was producing enough milk for direct feeding.

Original poster

CHoll251601 · 17/04/2025 21:39

IDontHaveTimeForFoolishness · 17/04/2025 12:10

Hi, I went for EBF to formula with all three of mine. I startedwith using a nipple cover on the breast to get babies used to the type of nupple that would be on a bottle to help with the transition, then I would express breast milk into a bottle and feed baby, and gradually mix in formula i.e one feed breast milk, and towards the night the formula (but only after I was sure there were no issues). I used aptamil formula as that worked best for mine I think it was one of the closest to breast milk (no issues). It worked for me so hopefully it'll help you some. Good luck and remember a fed baby is best. Xx

Aaah okay sounds good! I have probably gave him apatamil the ready made one once but that's it! Thanks for the advice I think I'll have to start soon in order to get him there. Exactly I just want him to be fed and happy!

:)

OP posts:

Original poster

CHoll251601 · 17/04/2025 21:44

MagpiePi · 17/04/2025 12:11

What is the reason that you are pumping? Couldn’t you just concentrate on full time breastfeeding?

I could never get more than a few dribbles out with pumping but was producing enough milk for direct feeding.

The reason I was pumping my right was because it supply went low so have been trying to get it back up. If I put my baby on that side he isn't happy as it isn't enough lol so I couldn't start him on that side if hungry. So don't end up feeding him so obvs it's started to dry up.

I breastfeed full time (I only ever pumped my right side for 1 night time feed we introduced to give me a break before through the night (although he only normally wakes up onnce/twice max) and two occasions where I went out for 3/4 hours.

I think he just isn't getting enough as he has started getting frustrated which is a clear sign.

I would have loved to continue breastfeeding until he was weaned but I don't think it's heading that way.

OP posts:

Findmeaplant343 · 18/04/2025 00:59

I am in a really similar situation to you at the moment.
My baby has a strong preference for my right breast over my left (obviously a preference is normal but it is quite an extreme difference in the way that she feeds). Like you I get less than half the amount via pumping and my baby often gets frustrated on the left or won't latch.
I have been supported really well by the infant feeding team in my area. They advised breast compressions when babies sucking seems to slow down on the left, trying changing positions i.e. for me trying rugby ball if she comes off quickly with cross cradle (you may find other positions such as reclining or side lying better for you). They also advised skin to skin, changing where you feed your baby and trying to make feeding a relaxing experience for both of you.
I have had a small improvement with these techniques but my baby still has a strong preference. However the main thing has been the reassurance that babies can feed perfectly well from one breast (think of women who have twins or a mastectomy).
If your baby is still gaining weight as expected I don't think there is any reason for you to switch to formula, unless it would be better for you. The team suppprting me have never suggested even supplementing with formula. When I asked if pumping on the left breast would help they said that they don't think it's necessary, but that if wanted to I would need to do it at least 2 or 3 times a day to make an impact on supply (I haven't gone down this route as I find pumping a faff and too time consuming).

I am still EBF. My baby is following her centile line and developing well. Her preference has never gone away and sometimes we have a few days when things are worse or better but generally I am glad that we have persevered (she normally feeds better overnight for some reason and things get worse overall if she gets a cold a has vaccinations). I'm not sure I would have been able to do so without the support I have had so wanted to pass on some of the advice I have had. I think the main things that I try to remember is that she will be fine on just the milk from my right breast so anything from the left is a bonus and that I am not hurting her if she fusses when I put her to the left breast (I do switch her if she becomes too upset).
If you or your HV team feel that your baby is not gaining weight as expected then your situation will be different. You may also find that the situation is affecting your mental health or how you feel about breastfeeding and that may be a reason to switch to formula for you.

MagpiePi · 18/04/2025 12:14

I agree with @Findmeaplant343 - you can feed perfectly well from just one breast.

And tbh, if you are already feeding successfully it seems crazy to go through all the faff, not to mention expense, of trying to find the right milk and the right equipment and then you are stuck with all the sterilising and stressing in case you are stuck somewhere without a bottle.

Oh, and I never winded either of my babies; it’s not really necessary when they are breastfed.

Original poster

CHoll251601 · 01/05/2025 17:57

Findmeaplant343 · 18/04/2025 00:59

I am in a really similar situation to you at the moment.
My baby has a strong preference for my right breast over my left (obviously a preference is normal but it is quite an extreme difference in the way that she feeds). Like you I get less than half the amount via pumping and my baby often gets frustrated on the left or won't latch.
I have been supported really well by the infant feeding team in my area. They advised breast compressions when babies sucking seems to slow down on the left, trying changing positions i.e. for me trying rugby ball if she comes off quickly with cross cradle (you may find other positions such as reclining or side lying better for you). They also advised skin to skin, changing where you feed your baby and trying to make feeding a relaxing experience for both of you.
I have had a small improvement with these techniques but my baby still has a strong preference. However the main thing has been the reassurance that babies can feed perfectly well from one breast (think of women who have twins or a mastectomy).
If your baby is still gaining weight as expected I don't think there is any reason for you to switch to formula, unless it would be better for you. The team suppprting me have never suggested even supplementing with formula. When I asked if pumping on the left breast would help they said that they don't think it's necessary, but that if wanted to I would need to do it at least 2 or 3 times a day to make an impact on supply (I haven't gone down this route as I find pumping a faff and too time consuming).

I am still EBF. My baby is following her centile line and developing well. Her preference has never gone away and sometimes we have a few days when things are worse or better but generally I am glad that we have persevered (she normally feeds better overnight for some reason and things get worse overall if she gets a cold a has vaccinations). I'm not sure I would have been able to do so without the support I have had so wanted to pass on some of the advice I have had. I think the main things that I try to remember is that she will be fine on just the milk from my right breast so anything from the left is a bonus and that I am not hurting her if she fusses when I put her to the left breast (I do switch her if she becomes too upset).
If you or your HV team feel that your baby is not gaining weight as expected then your situation will be different. You may also find that the situation is affecting your mental health or how you feel about breastfeeding and that may be a reason to switch to formula for you.

I know but I really don't think I have enough in one side anymore - little man is very fussyand impatient if he doesn't get let down straight away and then has been refusing feeding. So I think to save everyone stress it's time to introduce formula.

Month 4 next week I'm happy I made it this far. But at this point I think for both our sakes it's best to introduce formula even if it ends only being for the later feeds/ bed time feeds. (I will still pump so more combo feeing I guess?).

OP posts:

Original poster

CHoll251601 · 02/05/2025 13:41

MagpiePi · 18/04/2025 12:14

I agree with @Findmeaplant343 - you can feed perfectly well from just one breast.

And tbh, if you are already feeding successfully it seems crazy to go through all the faff, not to mention expense, of trying to find the right milk and the right equipment and then you are stuck with all the sterilising and stressing in case you are stuck somewhere without a bottle.

Oh, and I never winded either of my babies; it’s not really necessary when they are breastfed.

Yeah I have been feeding on my left breast only for a while now but the last few days baby just has been so fussy. Feeds off me but acts like he is always hungry (I don't think I'm producing enough to sustain him anymore) so now he is starting to just refuse now. (Too little milk can cause nursing strikes) luckily I had been given him 1 bottle a night before bed anyways that consisted of both breastmilk and formula (to get him used to formula) as my plan was origionally to start giving 1 bottle of formula a day. So tbh it's not that big of a switch. He wakes up once in the night so I feed him them by breast and when he wakes up in the morning fine so will continue to do this and see what he is like in the day.

Like today he has been extra fussy and only fed off me twice and I have already had to give him a bottle - it's been really hot last 3 days maybe that's why???

I dunno but I just want him happy and fed and that's all that's matters really.

OP posts:

Sunnyglowdays · 02/05/2025 13:46

Fussy feeding can be for a lot of reasons not just supply.

Do you want to move to formula feeding or do you want advice on how to continue bf? Either fine, just so people know what you want.

Original poster

CHoll251601 · 02/05/2025 17:10

Sunnyglowdays · 02/05/2025 13:46

Fussy feeding can be for a lot of reasons not just supply.

Do you want to move to formula feeding or do you want advice on how to continue bf? Either fine, just so people know what you want.

I would like to do combo feeding if possible so any advice o n this would be great! (he has been guzzling down 5 ounces lol which is a big increase as he only used to do 3 out a bottle lol

It's defo my supply as nothing else has changed and I have noticed my breast aren't as full.

It's steadily got worse in terms of fussiness around feeding time when I'm nursing so I know it's that.

And it's more late morning/afternoon is starting now (as I'm very full in the mornings)
I have been adding 1 oz of formula to my feeds when given by bottle and so far he has been so much happier when I do this so think I'm gonna try continue (but I have tried to still offer breast first always.

OP posts: