(XP) Thinking of switching to formula - but how?? (long)

88eve88 · May 2012

Also posted on the February 2012 board.

I never anticipated breastfeeding to be so stressful or difficult, but it is ... at least for me. Physically, I'm able to do it, although I feel like my supply isn't the best despite eating oatmeal and taking fenugreek every single day.

However, mentally, it's a completely different story. I have never really enjoyed BFing and never found it to be a bonding experience with my DS. Most of the time, I'm stressed out regarding my supply and constantly worried that DS isn't getting enough to eat. My left breast produces way more than my right (always has) and nursing DS on my right is always a huge struggle because letdown is slow and he's becoming more and more impatient. He gets so worked up that he has begun scratching himself and taking small chunks of skin off his scalp! (. Of course, this in turn makes me anxious and then makes my letdown even slower. A vicious cycle, really and it's making me resentful.

To top it off, DS doesn't seem to like nursing in public (he thrashes about) and I have high lipase , so my milk is only good for 24hrs max refridgerated and I can't pump that much to begin with, so pumping in the morning will not give me enough. Scalding seems like such a huge task for someone who's not EPing or storing milk (I'm SAH for now). I sometimes feel like a prisoner in my own home because I can't go anywhere for more than an hour, so I don't usually bother.

I'm really at my wits' end after about 4 months of EBF and am seriously thinking about switching to formula.

I need assistance with how to switch over. For those of you who have done it, what do I do? DS doesn't do bottles very well, so that's another hurdle to overcome.

Any and all advice is much appreciated. Please don't flame me for wanting to switch ... I feel guilty enough already. Thank you.

avbliss · May 2012

EBFing was a joy with DD1 but the DD2 it was beyond stressful! So I understand completely what you're going through. You need to take care of you just as much as baby. The first step to switching I would try is to offer a bottle after each BFing. Then, despite it being super annoying, you'll probably have to pump and offer him 1/2 bm 1/2 formula. Go out and buy 2-3 different bottles and find one he likes. I suggest Advent, Dr. Browns, Breastflow and Tommy Tippie. If $ is an issue look on craigslist.org for people selling used bottles and maybe buy new nipples for them. Regardless you'll probably need a stage 2 nipple. Also start with a gentle formula for sensitive stomachs since he's used to BM which breaks down much easier than regular formula (we use Sam's Club brand gentle). It might be a difficult week or two but he'll adjust and than the stress will calm down. Feel free to e-mail me if you need any help or support. I know how hard it is when you have this idea of what EBFing will be like and it doesn't match up with reality. Be proud of yourself for getting to 4 months and know that what you're doing is what's best for you and baby.

88eve88 · May 2012

avbliss:
EBFing was a joy with DD1 but the DD2 it was beyond stressful! So I understand completely what you're going through. You need to take care of you just as much as baby. The first step to switching I would try is to offer a bottle after each BFing. Then, despite it being super annoying, you'll probably have to pump and offer him 1/2 bm 1/2 formula. Go out and buy 2-3 different bottles and find one he likes. I suggest Advent, Dr. Browns, Breastflow and Tommy Tippie. If $ is an issue look on craigslist.org for people selling used bottles and maybe buy new nipples for them. Regardless you'll probably need a stage 2 nipple. Also start with a gentle formula for sensitive stomachs since he's used to BM which breaks down much easier than regular formula (we use Sam's Club brand gentle). It might be a difficult week or two but he'll adjust and than the stress will calm down. Feel free to e-mail me if you need any help or support. I know how hard it is when you have this idea of what EBFing will be like and it doesn't match up with reality. Be proud of yourself for getting to 4 months and know that what you're doing is what's best for you and baby.

Thank you so much for your response!

When offering a bottle after each BF session, how much do I offer? Since I don't really know how much he is getting while BFing, I don't want to overfeed him by offering too much formula afterwards.

And when it comes to offering half BM and half formula ... do I mix the formula powder right into the BM? Or do I mix the formula separately with water and then add it to the BM?

Thanks again for giving me a starting point. It's much appreciated!

l_elizabeth · May 2012

88eve88:

avbliss:
EBFing was a joy with DD1 but the DD2 it was beyond stressful! So I understand completely what you're going through. You need to take care of you just as much as baby. The first step to switching I would try is to offer a bottle after each BFing. Then, despite it being super annoying, you'll probably have to pump and offer him 1/2 bm 1/2 formula. Go out and buy 2-3 different bottles and find one he likes. I suggest Advent, Dr. Browns, Breastflow and Tommy Tippie. If $ is an issue look on craigslist.org for people selling used bottles and maybe buy new nipples for them. Regardless you'll probably need a stage 2 nipple. Also start with a gentle formula for sensitive stomachs since he's used to BM which breaks down much easier than regular formula (we use Sam's Club brand gentle). It might be a difficult week or two but he'll adjust and than the stress will calm down. Feel free to e-mail me if you need any help or support. I know how hard it is when you have this idea of what EBFing will be like and it doesn't match up with reality. Be proud of yourself for getting to 4 months and know that what you're doing is what's best for you and baby.

Thank you so much for your response!

When offering a bottle after each BF session, how much do I offer? Since I don't really know how much he is getting while BFing, I don't want to overfeed him by offering too much formula afterwards.

And when it comes to offering half BM and half formula ... do I mix the formula powder right into the BM? Or do I mix the formula separately with water and then add it to the BM?

Thanks again for giving me a starting point. It's much appreciated!

I'd start by offering an ounce of formula and an ounce of BM (mixed, so 2 ounces total). You might end up wasting it, and I wouldn't offer much at first when LO likely won't drink much of it. Mix the formula in a bottle first-- follow the directions adding powder and water. Then add the BM to that. Make it warm-- really warm-- that seems to be the best way for EBF babies who aren't used to bottles.

I'm semi in the same boat as you-- my LO is EBF and won't take a bottle at all. This last week I decided I was so done with BF, but my reasons are semi different. It's actually a good experience most of the time, he's rarely fussy, cuddles, loves it-- it is an amazing bonding time. He just eats ALL the time, gives me very little freedom at all, it makes it hard having a 2 year old as well, I want my body back for myself (that's selfish I know, I just get tired of pulling my boobs out all the time), I could go on and on. Anyway, we did operation move LO to bottle and it went horribly. I tried by offering a bottle instead of breast at every other feeding, so I still BF but tried a bottle a few times a day. The first day he took 2 or 3 bottles, did surprisingly great. The next few days unraveled and he would just scream everytime a bottle was offered. Now he won't take one at all. But I've come to the realization that I'm not ready to quit either, It's such a sacrifice and hard but I'm sticking with it for now. That and paying $150 a month for formula sucks! We did it with my older son and I forgot how much it sucks! Anyway, I completely understand wanting to quit and I think you should not feel bad at ALL if you want to.

88eve88 · May 2012

Thank you for your personal experiences, insight and suggestions. My husband and I are going to slowly introduce formula after we get him to take bottles. We've purchased a few brands to try and hopefully, one of them will work!

Thanks again!

MrsT2008 · May 2012

I currently supplement since I have a hard time pumping enough at work for what she needs at daycare.

To mix, do NOT mix the powder using BM as the liquid. You need to use water or else it throws the concentration off and isn't good for baby. so make the bottle of formula first (I need about 2oz per bottle for DD, so I make a bottle with 2oz of formula, using the powder/water mixture as directed on the can) then I add the BM

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