How to ween from breast to formula?

Question

I am wanting to ween my baby from breast milk (which I have been pumping exclusivly as she wont latch) to formula. How do I do this without causing too much stress to her? and over how long should this process take? Thanks

Answer 1

I can't really tell you, but I was wondering...did you see a lactation consultant? I had to have help with my oldest because I couldn't get him to latch on. I had to learn a different technique to make it work because I am ,uh,well endowed. If that is your prob, contact me and I will explain. If not, I would say try a milk based formula instead of soy, they taste better ( when the boy refused the breast finally at 10 months, I tried differant kinds...he acted like the soy ones were poison so I tasted them...YUCK). I think I would try cold turkey switching first. I would sub the formula for her morning nursing. If she won't accept the formula, try mixing 1/4 formula to 3/4 breast milk the first day and half and half the second etc. I am sure she will do fine...just remember there may be a change in her bowel movements at first, breast babies go way more often.

Answer 2

You can switch from breast milk to formula in numerous ways. Slowly is best on you as a sudden stop of pumping will cause painful engorgement. You can start by mixing formula with your breast milk. For example, if your baby is taking a 6 ounce bottle, put 4 ounces of breast milk in the bottle, add 2 ounces of water (this can be bottled water or boiled tap water) then a scoop of powdered formula, mix well and feed. Gradually decrease the amount of breast milk you use and increase the formula. At the same time, pump less frequently. She will not likely have any stress even if you give her straight formula from the start. It will actually be harder on you as you can experience engorgement which can lead to plugged ducts which can lead to breast infection. If you decrease the pumping gradually, you will be fine. The process can take as long as you want it to. A couple weeks to a month would probably be a reasonable goal.

Answer 3

On the first day replace one of the bottles of breast milk with formula. Two days later replace two bottles. Four days later replace 3 bottles, etc. In the meantime, if you notice she has no qualms about this at all, just go ahead and switch totally to formula! I'm sure you won't have to keep this up, she probably won't mind the formula. It's usually the breast, not the milk, you have to wean them from. The cutting the milk half-and-half is a great idea too.

Answer 4

MIx half and half
If she won't ake it then use a little less formula and a lilltle more milk
. How long have you been breast feeding
It is best if you breast feed for at least the first six months it is best for you (weight loss) and her because of all the antibodies in it.
So keep pumping
I would feed my baby formula during the day and breast before she went to sleep

Answer 5

I too had to ween my baby from the breast. She was not happy about it at all and didn't want to take to the formula. Basically when s he realized that was all she was gettin she started taking it. She acts like it's the best int he world now. It just takes time but they will eat when they are hungry.

Answer 6

It totally depends on the baby. My son didn't bat an eyelash when he first got formula. I returned to work and pumped, and we just gradually decreased until he was 100% on formula. No stress, no trauma and no tummy problems at all.

Answer 7

trty to feed her half of what ever your use to of brest milk thien the difference make it up in formula since she will be hungery she wont notice the diff

Answer 8

If she's been takinga bottle, it should be easy. You can try her out and see. I would imagine you could go from one to the other easily.

Answer 9

Oh a week or a couple days, depends on who she/he is... and whats the habitats/