Weaning to Formula

I know it is a little more expensive, but you could try the formula that is ready made (only in the glass containers though, since there is a chance the ones in the steel cans actually have a bad chemical in them for babies). Anyhow, if you use the ready to use liquid formula, she might take it. My baby wouldn't take the powdered formula, but instantly took the ready-made formula when we mixed it with breast milk. Will the baby take a bottle with just breast milk? We also had to by "breast flow" bottles because they are more like the actual breast and the baby has to suck about the same as they would to get it out. You might want to try those suggestions. Good luck!

I'm not sure how old your daughter is, or how long you're planning to breastfeed. Both of those factors affect my answer. :) Since I don't know I'll give general input. If she is newborn as in under 3 weeks old, don't even try yet unless you simply hate breastfeeding and want to stop RIGHT NOW. She's still trying to adapt to the world out here. And your breastmilk is so much better for her.

When my son was 2 weeks old we realized I was not producing enough milk and so we supplemented with formula. I was going to go back to work at 6 weeks anyway (and did) so it was a good way for him to get the nutrition he needed plus he was starving so he didn't really care whether it was bottle or breast. (Sad but true.) But I never gave him a bottle, his dad always did. Otherwise he'd smell my breastmilk and want that over the formula.

My suggestion for you would be to have her dad or someone else give her the bottle at her feeding time and YOU leave the house. That way she doesn't try to hold out for the "good stuff." And you aren't emotionally drained either. But make sure you pick someone (dad, friend, family) who has the patience to deal with a couple of hours of crying and fighting her if she doesn't just yum up the bottle when she's hungry.

Oh, also, to make that transition to bottle easier, pump breastmilk to put in there. Once she takes the bottle with breastmilk consistantly then you can go to 1/2 breastmilk and 1/2 formula...then totally formula after that.

She'll adapt. :)

JB,

This is typical for babies who have started out being exclusivly breastfed. With all the major health benefits of breastfeeding you might want to consider doing this a little longer. I know breastfeeding is not as convenient as bottle feeding, but the life time payoffs are completely worth it!

J.

JB, I went through the same exact thing! It drove me crazy! I kept pumping and putting the milk in the bottle, but she would only take 3 sucks and she was through with it =(
I decided to put some water in the bottle and give it to her. She drank it! I could not believe it! So for about 3 days I gave her a little water in the bottle, then I went back to milk and she took more than 3 sucks! That was a big deal to me. It took about a month of going back and forth with a little water and milk =( but she took the bottle!!!

It will happen! =)

I understand completely. We never were able to convenience my daughter to take a bottle. The few times we were able to get her to take it - it was because I was nowhere around. Try having Dad do it while you are gone. Once she is use to taking it from others, she may be more willing to take a bottle from you. But don't be surprised if she is stubborn. I understand how frustrating it can be. Just hang in there. Eventually you will get something worked out. For us, my daughter started taking a sippy cup at 7 months. Of course we didn't force the issue much until I started working again when she was 6 months. Good luck!

Why not pump some breastmilk and give her that in a bottle? I would do that first before switching to formula. I would never go cold turkey with the formula either. I would only do a gradual switch to formula (1/4 bottle forumula, 3/4 breast milk, slowly reducing the breastmilk and adding more formula over time).

With my 2nd DD, we had to try every nipple/bottle combo before she would take a bottle (with pumped breastmilk).

Why don't you pump and give her breastmilk only in the bottle?

My son would not take a bottle from me. My husband or mother could feed him but not me. Also, to help her get comfortable with the bottle you want her first experiences to be pleasant. Give her the breastmilk, have your husband hold her close and rock her (or whatever your routine is when you feed her). That way she will associate the bottle with a good experience and then you can switch more easily to formula.

Good luck,
K.

Are you the one giving her the bottle? It helps in some cases, if it is someone else giving her the bottle, as she has already made the association "mom"="breast". There was a period of time, when my son wouldn't take the bottle if he knew I was in the room, so, bottle time became daddy and baby time, until it was necessary to transition the bottle completely. You may also want to try giving her breastmilk in the bottle (if you haven't yet), as she may have a developed sense of taste preference...just an idea.

As far a going "cold turkey", I would do want you are comfortable with...(know that your body still has to also make the adjustment). I know other mothers who went this route, but, I personally went with the gradual approach, it was too hard on me to let my baby cry.

I was just there!! My dd was nursed without bottles until 8 months!! She just flat out refused bottles! All kinds; from ANYONE! We tried everything. Just keep introducing it. I swear she would have starved than take a bottle! It was absolutely awful for months! For me atleast; because she had to be with me 24/7! Now she's 15 months and I look back and kind of miss it!! Although she is the biggest mama's girl out of all of my four kids. Bonus!! LOL
Enjoy it, they aren't small long!!

Mom to four great kids! :)

The lactation consultant suggested for moms wanting to offer a bottle to have someone else give the feeding and to make sure that they are not being done in the same chair as the nursing has been in and to hold the baby in a different way than nursing. Is there any way you can pump instead of formula? It is about $1,000 a year to get formula and a good pump is alot cheaper. I wish you the best.

I'm sorry breastfeeding isn't working for you:( You may need to try every bottle/nipple on the wall before you find one she will take. You can't blame her, the bottle just isn't as nice as snuggling up next to mama's heartbeat and getting a sweat snack at the perfect temperature. I don't know how old she is, but you can also try a sippy cup.

JB:

i see this a lot in my practice....

if we can understand why she will not talk a bottle then we can move forward to helping her take a bottle or finding an alternative.

some of the babies I see are not able to move the milk from the bottle so "going cold turkey" will not teach them how to do this it will only result in them being hungrier.

P., RLC, IBCLC
Parenting Coach and Board Certified Lactation Consultant
www.lactationsupportgroup.com

J B,

With my youngest I was only able to breastfeed her for 6 weeks because she had to go through a major surgery. The nurses at the hospital introduced the binky (Pacifier) to her so she would not forget the sucking motions. she tried to nurse but my nerves were so stressed out. I was not producing enough. So with all the milk that I had pumped before my daughter went into the hospital for a week I would mix my breast milk with the Enfamil with Iron Dra Hra. She would only take a few sucks but that was because of the surgery she had done. Also another thing everyone seems to be saying let someone else hold the baby while it is feeding time. I never did that I held my daughter just like i was nursing her. It was a comfort thing for the both of us. Playtex Bottles were my life saver!! That was the only nipple of a bottle that she would take. Try to choose a nipple that is most like your own. that way the baby feels some similarities with the bottle. That is one reason I can not get my daughter to take another binky other than the brand named "Soothies" it is more like the playtex nipples that I choose to give her.

Another thing is don't get all upset while feeding the baby. The baby can sense that mommy is upset and then the baby will get upset. Stay calm. Listen to some relaxing music while feeding the baby. Sing songs to the baby. Cuddle with the baby just like you were nursing her.

Good luck!!

you don't mention how old she is. I read it is best to give a bottle or two around one month old to 6 weeks as this will ensure baby will take one even if you continue to generally exclusively nurse. Also are you expressing? It might be too much for her to go to the bottle AND formula all in one go. It is definitely a different experience sucking from a bottle versus mom. You could also try different nipples as babies can have strong preferences. I would try when you know she is very hungry and also get someone else to do it ie "the juice bar" is not nearby.

I had the same problem with my second daughter and what we eventually discovered was that she didn't like the powdered formula. When we used the premade stuff she actually took the bottle. (she was about 4 months old at the time) I first started giving her pumped breast milk and then gradually added formula. Good luck to you - Iknow how hard it is at first. One way or another, she'll take the bottle eventually. Happy Holidays!

How old is this baby?
Sometimes breastfed babies wean faster to a cup verus a bottle.
Gradually wean. Decrease one feeding every three to four days be consistent. You have to watch yourself for breast engorgement.
A., RN,BSN
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
http://catalog.mothertomother.biz

My midwife brought up a really good point.... Have you tasted formula? It tastes awful! No baby would drink it willingly! Do a taste test.

One time when my baby would not take tylenol, gagging, and spitting it out, I tasted it, and I realized, it really doesn't taste good.

Breastmilk is very tasty, and oh so good for you and the baby. I know this probably isn't the answer you were looking for, but as far as convenience, what could be more convenient than 100% perfect food for your baby that you carry around with you, and don't have to think about for one minute!

I do know that feeling of, "oh my gosh can I just have my body to myself for one minute?!!!", so I am sympathetic.
With four kids, I ask myself that a lot!:)

Hang in there!:)They are babies for such a short time.