changing from breast to formula?

Hi i have BF my daughter for 5 weeks and its going fantastic ill be BFing her till she is 16 weeks then putting her on formula how will i introduce the bottle and formula i know its not for another 11 weeks but im just wondering do i mix both or take her of the breast completley?

[KATE535]

I'm pleased to hear your breastfeeding is going so well. It sounds as though you are very happy with how it's going, so do you feel it might still be possible for you to carry on b/feeding when you return to work? Have you considered (as meiram suggested) breastfeeding after work, and into the evening - night? You could express your milk once at work at lunchtime, refrigerate, and whoever has Lo, can use that the following day in a bottle while you are at work. You may find it easier to bring in bottles by using breastmilk in the bottle before switching to formula straight away, and doing a combination can work too - of breast and bottle feeding, that is (I have heard many babies will happily take to both direct breastfeeding and bottles at the same time) With all new situations, it may take some getting used to, but I would certainly get her used to one bottle a day (of expressed milk) around 4-6 weeks before going back to work, and before she is too used to used to the exclusive breastfeeding. That way you can establish a good routine well before you go back to work.
There are lots of working mothers on here still managing to give precious breastmilk to their babies :)

[meiram]

I wouldn't actually mix breast milk and formula together, but you might want to offer one or two bottles/day of formula to see if she handles it ok.  Then I would just gradually give her more bottles of formula and decrease the bfing sessions.  I have a friend who had daycare give formula during the day and nursed at night and weekends.  Have you thought of doing something like that?  

[tiredbuthappy]

depends. I am slowly transitioning my almost 8 month old, but have to mix the bottles because she does not like formula by itself. I am hoping to slowly get her used to it. Many recommend a gradual transition, as formula is much harder to digest than breastmilk. I am only giving 1 or 2 bottles that are 1/2 formula each day so far (a total of 4 oz/day). However, I mix the bottles only right before feeding.

[KATE535]

I'm pleased to hear your breastfeeding is going so well. It sounds as though you are very happy with how it's going, so do you feel it might still be possible for you to carry on b/feeding when you return to work? Have you considered (as meiram suggested) breastfeeding after work, and into the evening - night? You could express your milk once at work at lunchtime, refrigerate, and whoever has Lo, can use that the following day in a bottle while you are at work. You may find it easier to bring in bottles by using breastmilk in the bottle before switching to formula straight away, and doing a combination can work too - of breast and bottle feeding, that is (I have heard many babies will happily take to both direct breastfeeding and bottles at the same time) With all new situations, it may take some getting used to, but I would certainly get her used to one bottle a day (of expressed milk) around 4-6 weeks before going back to work, and before she is too used to used to the exclusive breastfeeding. That way you can establish a good routine well before you go back to work.
There are lots of working mothers on here still managing to give precious breastmilk to their babies :)

[claire174]

Thank you so much for your replys i gave Matilda 3oz of breast milk today in bottle and she took it well so im going t give her a bottle of my milk once a day i may invest in a decent breast pump so i can expres more than when i use the hand one and give her my milk like that for the times when i cant be there as when i think about putting her on formula i dont really want to as every time i take her for weighing its such a good feeling nowing im the ones whats making her gain weight :D its just i worry i wont express enough for her as when i pump i never fully empty as it doesnt seem to come out properly maybe an electric pump may be better?

[KATE535]

Yes definately!!! An electric pump is better and a must-have if planning on expressing. It is definately worth the investment as you would soon make your money back providing free breastmilk over expensive formula.
Don't worry about not making enough - that is always something breast feeding mums worry about. But you will have plenty of milk just as long as you ensure you keep letting your body know you're not done breast feeding - ie get a pump session in lunchtime at work and try and stick to your direct breast feeding at home before and after work.
Just think how much you will enjoy seeing your baby grow, also when you can't be there, as she becomes an active baby, moving around the place, growing because of YOU. Even if you are working it is still mommy making her grow :)

[nicole179]

i agree that it is possible to continue giving BM after going back to work.  i thought it would be such a pain and had planned to switch to formula but then i got a pump and started pumping before i returned and ryder is 6 months and i am still pumping everyday.  he does now take it from a bottle exclusively but atleast he is still getting mostly BM.  formula once in a while when my supply drops a bit.  but if i can do it anyone can!! lol.  but i have been giving bottles since he was about 2 months and now he won't nurse directly! :(  good luck, what ever you decide will be the right choice!