Weaning my 5 month old to a bottle...?

Question

I have a daughter she is 5 month old this month on the 20th! I really want to start working again but... She screams when I try to feed her formula... Im not very interested in pumping then feeding her through a bottle.... how exactly do I go about doing this.. it seems very difficult... Im also kinda nervous because the only way she will go to sleep is on my breast... and when she wakes up a night I just breast feed her and she goes right back to sleep. it wont be that easy with a bottle will it? any good step by step tips on how to do this ?

Answer 1

My 2nd son was born Aug. 30th, about the same age as your daughter. I've been back to work for about 3 months and I use an electric double pump once before lunch, go home to feed him on my lunch break, and pump once after lunch. It is a lot of work and takes discipline, dedication, and an understanding employer. I did the same for my 2 years old. It'll get easier as the baby starts eating more and nursing less. If you don't want to do that, you can still nurse her at night only. Your boobs adjust to the frequency of feeding. I was only feeding my older son at night to put him to sleep, he was like your daughter. Eventually he switched to juice or strawberry milk before bed (he was about 15 months when he was completely weaned). I admire you for trying. Good luck! PS. My little one hates and throws up formula, as I tried 3 different ones for back-up feedings, so I understand how you feel.

Answer 2

I'm sorry, but I just cannot resist but disqualify "Celebrates" comment on nursing to sleep cauding tooth decay!!!! Where in the heck do you get your information lady!! Not cleaning your childs teeth can cause tooth decay, a bottle full of juice to fall asleep with can cause tooth decay....but at the Breast....YOU'RE NUTS!!!

Okay, now there is no reason why you couldn't continue to nurse your baby when your home and at night...or is there? Are you wanting to wean totally? I know tons of Mammas who had to daytime wean for similar reasons but were still nursing in the evenings and at night. Your baby is so young still. If you could just keep nursing her for another 6mo, then she could have other foods and whole milk.

You could also try another feeding device. My 6mo neice LOVES sippy cups. You can purchase ones that have silicone type spouts that are somewhat "nipple shaped". Shop around and try some different cups, it wouldn't be a waste to buy them cause you'll need them eventually. Bottle nipples can also be trickey, there are so many types. I found the most success with the wider-based "Nurser" nipples, like the Playtex Nurser system. I also found my kids prefered rubber over silicone.

I hope that you will be able to still nurse your baby, before and/or after work. You will both benefit from the immediate connection after being apart all day.

You should call your local La Leche League and attend one of their free meetings. You'll no doubt find another mother who can offer relevant advice to you...unlike some of the posters here who pick at breastfeeding with illegitimate advice etc

Answer 3

First of all, you should never allow a child to fall asleep at the breast. It can cause tooth decay, and even though she might not have teeth now, she will in a few months so you should break the habit as soon as you can.

Why don't you want to pump? I personally would, but if you really don't want to then here's what I would do to switch her to the bottle:

Try pumping for a few days. Mix in a little formula into the breastmilk. It will still taste like breastmilk to her, so she won't notice it's formula. When feeding her, hold her close to you like you do when breastfeeding.

Each day, add a little more formula to the breastmilk and eventually you'll be able to give her plain formula.

Hope this helps..God bless :-)

Answer 4

Celebrate comment was good info...and also there are some bottles with nipples that are shape like the mother's nipple of the breast. Because I know she'll know the difference in a big rubber nipple and her mother's. I think it's playtex that has them, but I'm prettty sure there is other brands that have the nipples that are very close to the mother's nipple. Congratulations for hanging in this long. I couldn't, my nipples were so soar sometimes they would crack and peel and were in flamed and I was in pain, and she was a strong sucker. SO...but congratualtions on your new baby girl. They are little angels on Earth. Until they get to the tantrum stages lol. Just kidding children are precious!!!

Answer 5

the international well-being business enterprise and the NHS say wait till 6 months. I say each infant is diverse. My son mandatory meals at below 4 months, so did my nephew, yet one among my nieces wasn't waiting for solids till approximately 8 months. he would help comprehend whilst he's waiting! do no longer complication too lots approximately it. in case you needed, you may attempt him with a spoonful or 2 of infant rice once or twice an afternoon, it takes them a mutually as to get the carry close of it - yet whilst he's no longer involved, carry back slightly longer. If he's putting on weight it is not going to do him any harm.

Answer 6

Try holding your baby close to your breast while giving her a bottle. She will think it is you. Hang in there things will work out it might take a little time.