NMR: tranistion from breastmilk to formula

mamatotwins0812

I am currently in process of weaning from exclusively pumping to formula. Right now, LO's get 1 formula bottle a day (I started this a while back when I was falling behind on keeping up). One LO is definitely more picky than the other and has reflux so we are still experimenting with the "perfect: formula for him.

My question is, would you suggest I start mixing BM and formula NOW to extend the amount of BM they get, or should I continue to give them all BM for as long as I can then go straight to formula? (I do have some frozen on back up in case they dont do well with cold turkey).

As a side note, the weaning process is taking much longer than I thought and I still have a decent supply with only pumping 4x/day 15 minutes at a time. Your experiences are greatly appreciated!

angelfire02

I have been weaning for about 6 weeks now, I have 250ish bags of frozen milk in the freezer.  My LC told me to mix half and half to extend the amount of time they get some breast milk.  I would love to get them through most of the winter with some breast milk so when we are out I give them straight up formula and save the half and half for when we are home.  They definitely prefer the half and half mix over the straight up formula, but they will have to eventually just take the formula.  I also use just formula for mixing with their oatmeal cereal. I'm hoping it can be a slow process to all formula! 

mamatotwins0812

angelfire02:

I have been weaning for about 6 weeks now, I have 250ish bags of frozen milk in the freezer.  My LC told me to mix half and half to extend the amount of time they get some breast milk.  I would love to get them through most of the winter with some breast milk so when we are out I give them straight up formula and save the half and half for when we are home.  They definitely prefer the half and half mix over the straight up formula, but they will have to eventually just take the formula.  I also use just formula for mixing with their oatmeal cereal. I'm hoping it can be a slow process to all formula! 

f

 Your reply actually just prompted another question. How do you go about mixing the 2? Do you prepare the formula (water and powder) and add BM to it? This doesnt water down the BM?

angelfire02

When I have it I love to use the premade formula for mixing with BM.  When I don't have it (it's insanely expensive compared to the outrageously priced powdered stuff) I use one bottle to mix 6 ounces of formula in, then I pour 3 ounces BM in one bottle, top it off with the formula, then pour 3 ounces of BM into the bottle with the remaning 3 ounces of formula.  So I always make sure the formula is mixed before pouring it in with the BM.  The premade stuff is awesome for this, if you want to use Similac and haven't already, contact them and they will send you some free formula.  In May I did that and they sent us 2 cases (12 bottles) of the premixed stuff.  I buy the premixed Similac when I can get the 5.00 checks, that makes it 2.19 a bottle for the organic and like 1.39 for the plain advanced.  For powdered formula I just use the Target brand of Similac.  I would actually contact any formula company you want to use and ask if they have a multiples program, the worst they can say is no.  All I had to do was fill out a form and mail in a copy of their birth certificates to prove they were in fact multiples.   Sorry that was a long rambling message....I hope it was helpful!

mamatotwins0812

angelfire02:

When I have it I love to use the premade formula for mixing with BM.  When I don't have it (it's insanely expensive compared to the outrageously priced powdered stuff) I use one bottle to mix 6 ounces of formula in, then I pour 3 ounces BM in one bottle, top it off with the formula, then pour 3 ounces of BM into the bottle with the remaning 3 ounces of formula.  So I always make sure the formula is mixed before pouring it in with the BM.  The premade stuff is awesome for this, if you want to use Similac and haven't already, contact them and they will send you some free formula.  In May I did that and they sent us 2 cases (12 bottles) of the premixed stuff.  I buy the premixed Similac when I can get the 5.00 checks, that makes it 2.19 a bottle for the organic and like 1.39 for the plain advanced.  For powdered formula I just use the Target brand of Similac.  I would actually contact any formula company you want to use and ask if they have a multiples program, the worst they can say is no.  All I had to do was fill out a form and mail in a copy of their birth certificates to prove they were in fact multiples.   Sorry that was a long rambling message....I hope it was helpful!

Very helpful thank you. One LO is on Gerber Protect (powder) and he is fine with it while the other onnly seems to like the premade Enfamil Newborn (he doesnt seem to like the powder- someone has expensive taste)! My concern was that the powder mixed looks so thin and "insignificant" as it is, mixed with BM that is so thin looking also would make for a wtaered down combo, but I suppose thats silly and all the nutrients are there so who cares what it looks like.

Since you are in the process of weaning also, how have you been doing it and is it working? I started at pumping 6x/day at 30 minutes each to 5/day at 25 mins to 4 times/day at 15 minutes (this just yesterday). Just a couple minutes ago I thought I was going to die from pain that came on suddenly from engorgement. this was the first time I have ever experienced it and it was not fun. I actually felt physically sick also (not sure if that was unrelated) so just pumped to relieve the pain. So clearly I am thinking I went too drastic, but leary that going any less drastic will cause the weaning to go on forever. (Ideally I would like to start wrapping it up as my hormones are just wacky and I want to trigger a period and start to feel "normal" again). I am thinking of trying the cabbage leaves? Would love to hear whats working for you. thanks!

Rynleigh

When I transitioned each of my girls, I did it at an ounce per bottle per week (I pumped from day one, so all of their feedings were by bottle instead of breast). 

So, week 1 of transition I would decrease the breastmilk in each bottle by one ounce, and add one pre-mixed ounce of formula.  Week 2 I'd decrease the BM in each bottle by 2oz, replaced with 2oz premixed formula. Once I was down to just one oz of BM per bottle, I reduced the number of bottles containing BM by one each week. I did that until they were down to 1oz a day, and continued with the 1oz until I couldn't pump/store any more. 

angelfire02

I just finally was able to put my pump away this weekend.  I had to stop due to a very severe duct infection that I was battling since I had begun pumping and trying to breastfeed.  Because of that, I was on an antibiotic and had to continue that until I was completely done pumping to make sure I didn't get mastitis. I was pumping every 3 hours for 20 minutes at a time, and would pump for the last time at 1130 at night, then going until 700am.  I started stretching the sessions out to 4 hours, and then 5 but I gave it at least a week in between doing that.  I dropped one session at a time when I was able to go atleast 5-6 hours between pumping.  It was hard and painful at times, but in the end it was worth it because I can now hold my babies without constant excrutiating pain.  I still leak some times and am still wearing bra pads just in case but I think I will be done with that soon also.  I did not try the cabbage leaves but I was put on birth control after about 3 weeks because I had tried Sudafed and that didn't do anything for me. I would also stand in the hot shower and let my milk drip instead of pumping if I was full but not super uncomfortable.  I also just pumped until I was comfortable, never empty after I started weaning. I was making about 90-100 ounces a day so to go to nothing took awhile. I won't get a period again because I had to have a hystorectomy at delivery so I'm not sure how all of that would affect your supply.  Hope that helps! 

mamatotwins0812

Thanks ladies! I appreciate the feedback!