how do i switch my baby from breastfeeding to bottle feeding?

Answer 1

I would urge you to continue breastfeeding if possible if your child is under 6 months old.

That being said, you should read kellymom's articles about weaning for specific information.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/weaning/index.html

Answer 2

There are several main concerns here, one is the engorgement that you will experience if you wean too quickly, another is an upset stomach that your baby might experience if you switch too quickly, and another is that babies must learn to suck differently for breast and bottle.

You're going to want to go slowly, to avoid all three problems!

Try this....say your baby eats 6 times per day. You want to slowly replace 1 feeding per day with a bottle. The easiest feedings to transition are those in the middle of the day. Your baby is hungry when she first wakes in the morning, and may need her last nightly feeding for comfort, and to relax and fall asleep.

Example....

Day 1-2
8 am Breast
11am Breast
2 pm Bottle
5 pm Breast
8 pm Breast
11 pm Breast

Day 3-4
8 am Breast
11am Breast
2 pm Bottle
5 pm Bottle
8 pm Breast
11 pm Breast

Day 5-6
8 am Breast
11am Bottle
2 pm Bottle
5 pm Bottle
8 pm Breast
11 pm Breast

Day 7-8
8 am Breast
11am Bottle
2 pm Bottle
5 pm Bottle
8 pm Bottle
11 pm Breast

Day 9-10
8 am Bottle
11am Bottle
2 pm Bottle
5 pm Bottle
8 pm Bottle
11 pm Breast

Day 11
8 am Bottle
11am Bottle
2 pm Bottle
5 pm Bottle
8 pm Bottle
11 pm Bottle

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Have your husband or another person introduce the bottle during one feed a day and then slowly increase. My 3 children never had any nipple confusion. They just wanted to eat. Good luck and don't feel pressured by the pro-breastfeeding posts.

Answer 4

That is a hard one. Usually you have to wait till the baby ween themself off. They don't like the bottle once you have breast fed them for so long. They like the warmth and closeness of the mother. Ususlly around 10 to 12 months they display an interest in being more independent and want to drink out of a cup. Then that's when the sippy cup comes in and you stop breast feeding and they will slowly forget.

Answer 5

I have a 8 month old baby and I weaned her off slowly. One feeding give her the breast and the next bottle and alternate back and fourth giving her more bottle feedings. That way it didnt hurt when I dried up.

Answer 6

Give your baby a bottle, whenever it's hungry. There's usually no problem switching over. If you do decide to do this, tell your doctor so they can give you pills to dry up your milk.

Answer 7

It's best to keep nursing for at least the first 12 months.

If you have to return to work, you can still combine breast and bottle.

Answer 8

Gradually. save your milk, and use the bottle. want be long before he.she will take either well.
The longer you use natural milk even in the bottle the healthier he/she will be.