Weening Baby into Formula

I BF for a little over 11 months, but I supplemented with formula occasionally. I used Enfamil Lipil, and he had no problems with it.

You don't mention your motivation for weening, but you've made it through the hardest part of breastfeeding and will miss out on the additional benefits and ease of caring for a breastfed baby - no bottle to tote anywhere, the ultimate in tools to comfort a child that is hurt (and with the new mobility at this age, this will happen), etc.

Breastmilk is best and even the mainstream pediatric associations recommend it for the first year. Formulas are not as nutritous and can be a source of early allergens (dairy and soy are top allergens and as we're learning soy can actually be very damaging to a child's health long term. Formula fed babies are far more likely to develop asthma, juvenile diabetes, etc.

I don't mean to preach, I just feel that given the overall positive health impacts (and based on my own experiences) switching to formula is not a good idea - even purely from a financial perspective. I would suggest to put the formula dollars into a bank account and watch it grow :)

Also, breastfed babies are sick far less often. I remember one year that my sister's family all had the flu - her husband was upstairs very, very ill. My sister was feeling a bit out of it and my niece was perfectly fine. That same flu hit my entire family and my husband's family - it was the worst 24 hour bug I've ever had and the only time I've had the flu in 30 years. It was during the busy Christmas season. Also, please consider that we're getting into the peak of flu season. Breastfeeding provides far superior protection from the flu as compared to traditional medical, which is all you'll have if you switch to formula now. Also, those pesky ear infections are far more common in formula fed babies.

Gina, if you're willing to keep up with pumping during the day, you probably don't need to supplement with formula. As your son gets older, the time between feeding should increase, so you shouldn't have to pump every two hours. Also, even though the bulk of his diet should be breast milk or formula at this age, solid foods will also help to fill his tummy, and as he grows he'll gradually increase the amount of food he eats and decrease the amount of milk he needs from you until he no longer requires your milk (weaning). If you are able to nurse him before school, pump once or twice during the day, and then nurse him again when you get home, and maybe one last time before bed, your milk supply should stay consistent with his needs. To keep your milk supply up: lots of water, as much sleep/rest as you can manage, consistent stimulation/draining, and nurse him BEFORE offering solids. Just like your body adapted when he started sleeping through the night (no more engorging at 3 am, right?), your supply/volume will adapt again. Good luck!

I had to do the same when I went back to work. Pumping is not nearly as efficient as my daughter actually being on the breast (I get maybe 10oz after a whole day of pumping). So on the days I work from home and on weekends, I BF. On the days I go into the office, her sitter gives her expressed BM and formula. Don't feel guilty at all for adding formula to his diet. As most pedis and nurses will tell you, any amount of BM is great (only 1/3 of moms make it to 6 mo, so be proud)!

I use Enfamil Lipil with my daughter, and she takes it just as easily as she takes BM. Save your wallet the trouble of buying the specialty formula unless your baby truly needs it (shows signs of colic, spits up more than usual, etc). Plus you can sign up for formula coupons ($5!!) at Enfamil.com and Similac.com if you go with either of those. Best of luck to you!

I would ask the opinion of your pedi, but we used Enfamil Lipil with Iron and my so did great.

I used Simulac Organic with my first baby. I would mix breast milk and formula at first during the transition. She seemed to transition just fine; I just would put a little more formula in every time until I just ran out of breast milk! Then before she knew it she was drinking 100% formula.

Gina,

There are alot of formulas out there. My children are older. But I really liked the Carnation Good start. I had one son who started throwing up all his formula and even breast milk. I tried all sorts of things. The only thing he kept down well was warm sugar water.

Then Carnation Good start came out and I tried that and he was able to keep it down and did not throw up like he did before. I was amazed. We moved to the Next step (not sure what they call it) when he was about 9 months old.

Hope this helps.
D.

Since I'm sure you know of the benefits, and you would continue breastfeeding or pumping if you at all could, so my suggestion for formula for such a wee one = Nutramigen Lipil. If your baby doesn't tolerate it well, go thee then straight to Neocate Infant with DHA and ARA . (You don't need a prescription; it can be ordered straight from Nutricia - though we always got ours off ebay.)

HTH!

Hi Gina. I have always used Parent's choice from Walmart, but it's really a try-and-see thing. First off, I would ask, is your child sensitive to anything you eat that is passed through the breastmilk? For example, my daughter couldn't tolerate when I ate dairy products, so when I went to formula I used soy. Just something to think about. Good luck!

Hi Gina. I used Nestle Good Start with my now 2 yr. old son. We tried Enfamil and Similac ad he didn't tolerate either one of them well although I think they are both great formulas. It's really just a preference thing and of course how your child digests them. Just try to get on one formula and stick with it. Good luck!
M.
P.S. Good Start is a little less inexpensive than the other 2 but can sometimes not be in stock as much as the others.