Switching from breastmilk to formula

My goal was to make to 6 months breastfeeding and reevaluate. Well I have almost made it to 6 months and I know I will be ready to give it up at least give up pumping during the day, I would still like to nurse when baby wakes up in the MON. My question is if you are someone who had a similar experience… how did you introduce formula to your baby? I EP so my baby is already great taking a bottle but I want to make sure the transition from breastmilk to formula isn’t too difficult on his tummy. He is already a baby who has reflux. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Read more on Peanut

The views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of Peanut.

Learn more about our guidelines.

Add a comment

I had to supplement with formula when I wasn’t producing enough. Best advice is to ease into the formula. Make a bottle with say 80% breast milk and 20% formula. Then slowly alter the proportions until it’s all formula.

Sometimes it’s also easier if someone else gave them the bottle and not you. Your baby will want your breast over the bottle.

And yes, start by doing part breast milk, part formula and working your way up.

I didn’t though, I just switched one feed to formula, and then slowly transitioned from there. When my baby was hungry, he’d drink and it didn’t matter that it wasn’t my breast.

I’m not sure if it’s just a marketing ploy, but you could consider using a formula that is said to be “similar to breastmilk.” We have used Enfamil Neuropro to supplement since she was 2 months and she has done so well with it. If your babe has a sensitive tummy, you might try the Neuropro Gentlease, but that one actually was rougher on my little one. Good luck! You’ve done so amazing getting this far with breastfeeding!! You’re awesome!

We introduced formula to my daughter for her going to nursery. Our health visitor adviced to start with small quantities such as 1 or 2 oz here and there like once a day and then slowly increase the amount if there are no adverse reactions. And to offer it when they are neither very hungry nor very full. You can offer it by itself or mixed with breastmilk. We offered it on it's own and because I didn't want to waste a whole tub of formula in case she didn't take to it I bought little Kendamil premade bottles, they can be used over 2 days.

You can start by adding a bit to your breast milk, then just do an ounce or two at the end of a breast milk feed, or instead of a breast milk feed. Just know they'll probably take less formula than breast milk bc it's heavier in their belly. So if they start drinking less, that's why!

Honestly I just gave baby the bottle of formula and never thought about “introducing” it to them. I know some people mix breastmilk and formula in a bottle.

You can try sourcing donor breastmilk for the next 6m if you are open to that option, means that you can stop pumping but baby will still be getting nutrients of BM. This day and age it’s super easy to get our hands on donor milk not like 20yrs ago

So you know how when you’re breastfeeding you typically feed every two hours or so… what worked for me was switching every other feed… for example if, starting at like 6 am with breast milk, at 8 am I’d do formula, at 10 am breast milk, and so on. After about 3 days of that I’d do, breast, formula, formula, breast, formula, formula, breast again. Till he was only on formula. It helped my body learn to stop producing milk too

I do 1 feed a day of formula and formula when her grandpa watches her. She never had a problem took to it immediately didn’t upset her tummy. I use kendramil. I did 1/2 breast milk at first but after a week or so she was fine.

@Clarissa she said baby takes bottles

in our community

How to treat a Baby

Let me start off by saying, I love my partner very much, he changes nappies in the middle of the night, he looks after our son when I need him to and is always encouraging me to take breaks if I need time to myself because he understands that regardless of our teamwork the work dynamic will always be more for me because I’m the mother and I’m breastfeeding. Nevertheless, I don’t think my partner necessarily interacts with our baby very well. He’s 4 months and is making regular coos and just random noises but my partner will be like “what’s all that noise, stop it” thinking it’s a beginning of a cry and even when he does cry “stop all that noise, no no” when he changes him he doesn’t interact with him like singing or talking to him, and when he does engage in play with him it’s quite rough play like throwing things over his face and taking it off. My son does love it I won’t lie, and I can see my son does smile and laugh at his dad regularly, so they have a bond and maybe the issue is me. I guess my question is, are dads quite naturally different with the baby? I’m very soft and gentle and loving towards my son, and I see my partner can be but majority of the time he’s quite rough what I’d call slightly harsh especially when he’s crying

Newborn insert!!??

* NOT CAR SEAT ADVICE *

Soon I have to travel on train with baby to my dads. We will need this car seat attachment as we will be being picked up at the station by car.

He is now way over 23lb and need to remove the newborn insert for comfort.

I've tried removing the head cushion that doesn't look supportive when removed. Then I removed the body support then his body looks too dipped in compared to the head

Question is what so I remove!?! 😩

If anyone has the same car seat this would help a lot!

My partner isn’t supporting my breastfeeding journey!

I’ve got a 5 and a half month old, we’ve been combo feeding for the past 3 months but I feel like I have enough milk to EBF her. My partner isn’t supportive of my decision and every time she cries he’s insisting on making her a bottle, assuming she’s starving or not having enough from me. I’ve completely changed my diet, increased my protein intake, drinking lots of water. I know I have enough milk but he’s not supporting my decision to want to EBF . How do I bring the subject up?

Edit: it’s not always a hunger cry, majority of the time it’s a tired cry. I even went as far as seeing a lactation advisor and she told me I have more than enough of a supply for my baby.

Feel like a terrible mum 😩

About half an hour ago I put my baby on his changer to get her ready for her bath and turned my back for a minute then heard my baby screaming as she’d fallen off of it 😩 she screamed for a little bit, gave her plenty of cuddles and she’s now fallen asleep. She was overtired anyway but I feel AWFUL. Like a terrible terrible man how did I allow this to happen 😭😭😭

Transitioning from co sleeping to sleeping indepently

HOW DO I DO IT. That’s it. How. Help me.

Which bag does everyone prefer?

I’d really like one of these but there are so many colours, I’ve narrowed it down to these and a couple of other ones like plain black🙈 i know it’s down to personal preference and style, but I’d like other’s opinions