Feeding Formula after nursing.

[mum2beagain]

I have completely weaned Sam (9 1/2 months) from the breast now (he was biting all the time) and have him on formula and breast milk. If I give him a bottle of breast milk he will drink about 5 to 6 ounces most times, if I give him formula he will only take 4oz at a time max. The guidelines I was given by our local health unit say he should drink 20 - 30 ounces a day, he is probably having 20 oz just about. Often he will have a couple of ounces of formula then I have to wait half an hour and give him another 2 ounces. I always offer the milk before solids and to be honest he's not having that much in the way of solids either; cereal at breakfast, a few bites of whatever is being served at other meals and perhaps a few spoons of fruit or youghurt; I've always been a 'milk comes first mum' with him so I don't think that is the problem. Is this just him transitioning to formula? I'd really like to hear other mums experiences when changing from formula to breast milk, do you think he will be more accepting of the formula in time?

[AndiJ78]

I am going to guess it is just his body getting used to the formula. It is heavier and harder to digest, so it may be upsetting his tummy a bit and he won't need to eat as often as it takes longer to digest. Keep pushing it first (do you have enough breastmilk stored to mix the two) Perhaps you could do a 50/50 mix for a few days, then a 25/75 mix for a few more? That may make the transition a little smoother and still gets the goodness of some breastmilk. It also stretches it a bit.

Hopefully someone else has some advice. I have no real idea, just thinking aloud.

[jjerzeegirl]

I had the same problem when introducing milk to my dd. I breastfed her for 10 months then gave her formula until 1yr and then milk. She didn't have a hard time adjusting to the formula, as I supplemented at times. But the transition from the formula to the milk was not easy. I did do 1/2 milk and 1/2 formula in the bottle to get her used to it...after about a week (or less) she was fine and was able to go with 100% milk.

I wouldn't worry about not eating too much besides that. As long as you are introducing him to food..he'll get the hang of it. It's all about routine and what you provide for him at the meal time. Do you have a set time for Breakfast/lunch/dinner? When are bottles given?

[mum2beagain]

I've got about 40 6oz packs left frozen, I've been using one a day and also pumping a bit when I can, but it is a bit difficult to try and fit it in what with one thing or another. I probably get 4-6 oz a day from pumping but that is dwindling rapidly as is to be expected. I had a break for a couple of days and just pumped and tried nursing him again after that thinking he might be so glad to get it back he would behave but no; he was still biting, drew blood infact. It is really weird because when I was still nursing and I started to introduce 1 bottle a day he would drink down six ounces of formula in one go no problem. Well, he seems content enough and is sleeping 8 - 9 hours at night so I guess he isn't starving but even when he wakes in the morning and I offer him formula first thing he still only takes 2-3 ounces, I would expect him to be hungry then.

I think it's just his way of making me feel even more guilty for stopping nursing.

*sighs*

[mum2beagain]

Thanks for your repy too, I am not worried about his food intake really, he loves food and is willing to try pretty much anything but I don't give him too much as I know the milk is the more important source of nourishment right now. We have a pretty good routine as I have an older child too so we kind of fit around his day;

Wake at 7.00ish Bottle
7.30 breakfast (about 6 tbsp cereal)
Usually has a quick nap in the car as we take oldest to school and run errands
12.00 bottle
12.30 lunch (usually a few bites of bread and  meat or cheese and  maybe a couple of tablespoons of yoghurt or fruit)
Nap for about 2 hours
4.00 bottle
4.30 dinner (a bit of meat and veggies or sometimes fruit and cereal)
7.00 bottle and bed
10.30 I wake him for his final bottle and put him straight back down
sleeps through until next morning.

I am reluctant to mix because if he doesn't drink it all I have to throw it away and I don't want to throw breast milk away,also he was drinking formula before no problem.

Little monster!!!!

[jjerzeegirl]

It seems like you have a good routine....
That's pretty much what I did as well. I'm sure he'll be fine. Do what you think works best..
Good luck.