Switching from breastmilk to formula?

Question

What are some clues to making a smooth transition.

Answer 1

If your son is only a month old and exclusively breastfed, it will be easy for him and hard for you.

Generally babies this age take whatever you give them, they can't say no, throw the bottle, spit things out or push things away like they will later. Open mouth, stick bottle in, they instinctively suck.

First stage: start cutting down a feeding every day. For example if you nurse him 8am 11am 2pm 5pm 8pm etc cut out the one you like the least. Then in a day or two, cut out another one. If you are producing well, you will be uncomfortable but not horribly so. You can either breastfeed all those feeds or pump and bottlefeed all the rest of his feeds except the one you cut out.

Second stage: once you have cut out most of the feeds, you can bind the breasts, wear a tightfitting bra, use icepacks for any swelling, take Motrin or other anti-inflammatories to help with swelling of the breast. Be alert for mastitis (clogged infection ducts) signs are fever, malaise, feeling like you have the flu, a hard lump or area on one area of the breast. Avoid lying in the sun, tanning beds, heat and crying babies (they all make the milk flow). You can line the bra with cabbage leaves, that helps dry the milk. You can take Sudafed to help dry up the milk, Sudafed dries up secretions, breast milk is one of them. You should be dried up within a week of this last stage, the whole thing should take about two weeks. You can always stop abruptly and start right out at the second stage but you will be very uncomfortable.

I hope you change your mind and breastfeed a little longer though, it's wonderful thing to do for the baby and if your baby has reflux they usually tolerate your breastmilk better than formula, it's easier to digest.

Answer 2

I heard that giving the formula at night is the best so that the baby sleeps longer and more sound because it is heavier than breast milk. Keep the breastmilk during the day. Also, ALWAYS keep the formula at room temp because if you get the baby in the habit of warm milk...what are you going to do when you are on the road and you need to feed him/her and you have nothing to warm the bottle up with.

Answer 3

Why do you need to switch? Breastmilk is the best thing for the baby. If its going back to work or exhausting being the only one who is able to feed the baby....I would suggest getting a good pump or renting one from the hospital. Breastmilk will stay frozen for up to 6 weeks. That way you can have some relief by having somebody else feed the baby.

Answer 4

Pumping, and adding a touch of formula for a few days, then 1/4 formula 3/4 breast, then 1/2 and 1/2 and then on to formula. But do it over a two week period if not longer.

Answer 5

reduce breastmilk gradually to cause you as little discomfort as possible and least upset for baby. i weaned my daughter onto a beaker which she took from me really well (she would not take a bottle from me when I was bfing her) if baby refuses formula don't make a big thing of it and try again the next day. to help your breasts try cool cabbage leaves under your bra and painkillers - they will hurt for about 10 days once you have given up.the hardest feed i found to give up was the bedtime feed, if you find any of them difficult see if a partner or friend could give those feeds - so baby does not see you getting emotional good luck

Answer 6

Dear, start any food, not only milk, in small quantities. Also keep the intervals long, only once a day for the first two to three days. During these days monitor your child whether he/she likes it or not. If he not shows interest, your should try change dilution, combination etc. Thereafter increase the quantity as your child require.

Answer 7

My daughter pumped breast milk into a bottle for a few days I believe,but she was also breast feeding him too, but less as the days went by. hope this helps.

Answer 8

Breast pump. While you are weaning, start giving the baby one bottle of your breast milk per day. When you are ready, introduce one bottle of formula per day.

Add cereal as your pediatrician recommends.

Answer 9

of coarse I am a guy but raised my daughter since she was 11mos.... although formula is good but breasts milk is hands down the best source of nutrition for ur baby...but then I dunno the reasons behind the switch..I know my ex wasn't producing so we had no choice. anyhow evrything will fine ! and congrat and enjoy parenting I know, I def. love being the father to my princess !! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Answer 10

If you can buy carnation good start where you live, try that. My boys could not tell the difference in taste from breast milk, and it was easy for them to digest