Who has switched from BF to formula?

MegSowers · June 2012

I may do this in the Fall if I get a job. I know there's a pumping room, but not sure I'll really have the time (teacher). It would also be convenient to switch to formula - we have weddings/trips in the Fall without LO. I get 2oz per pumping session and it'd be hard to pump enough for daycare. BUT, I think I might be really depressed and mourn the loss of BFing if I stop.

I enjoy this bonding time with LO, and like the fact that no one else can provide that kind of comfort except me. If you weaned, how was it emotionally for you? (I think LO will be ok. She takes bottles fine). TIA

jessandandy09 · June 2012

I am supplementing due to returning to work. When I pump I only get about 1/2 oz out of each breast so its just not enough to keep her fed while I am at work. The first time we gave her formula I cried my eyes out! It was heart wrenching but it gets better. She gets about half of her diet from formula and half breast milk. This has kept us all happy and hopefully my supply will stay so we can continue this way. good luck with your choice, but you might try doing both for a while to ease the transition.

erniebufflo · June 2012

I only got to BF for a week and had to stop for health reasons. I was so upset and definitely mourned for a while. Now though, my girls are happy and thriving, I can't imagine being more bonded to them, I have my body back, and my hubby gets to share in the fun of feeding them. No more guilt, no more mourning here.

JaimeG183 · June 2012

I also think it would be very difficult to pump as a teacher but I know a lot of my colleagues who have.

Can you give formula during the day and still BF in the morning and night? I've heard of people who have been successful with that. Also, you can try to get a huge freezer stash over the summer so you can extend the BM for a little longer- maybe give a bottle or 2 of formula during the day in the summer and pump during that time and freeze it for the fall

lindy27 · June 2012

I have heard of women who BF in the morning and evening time while working and use formula during the day. You might pump over lunch if you have time but either way your supply will regulate to your demand.

mumegs · June 2012

lindy27:
I have heard of women who BF in the morning and evening time while working and use formula during the day. You might pump over lunch if you have time but either way your supply will regulate to your demand.

My mom was just telling me she did this for me when she went back to work, and her supply regulated so there was still enough to feed me when she wasn't working.

snoangel79 · June 2012

Emotionally it was fine because I was exhausted, didn't produce enough, and ended up with thrush for about 8 weeks... My daughter has been on 4 different formulas though, they are both on Gentlease now and it seems the best for both of them.

MegSowers · June 2012

Thank you!! I love the idea of BFing in the AM and nights, and just doing formula at daycare. Will my body eventually regulate to just producing milk at these times? Or maybe just needing to pump once during the day?

ninjabridemom · June 2012

MegSowers:
Thank you!! I love the idea of BFing in the AM and nights, and just doing formula at daycare. Will my body eventually regulate to just producing milk at these times? Or maybe just needing to pump once during the day?

I think if you pump it'll defeat the purpose -- your body will still produce. I don't know about regulating to that extreme.

imimahoney · June 2012

I stopped bfing and it has been extremely emotional. Bfing was very easy for me and I really loved the bonding time. But I have learned that LO still cuddles with me and I still have that closeness with him, it's just a little bit different.

AmyZig1 · June 2012

I go back to work next week and over the last month we've been working on getting LO on formula during the day and still breastfeeding in the evening and morning. My supply has regulated really nicely - but I did it really slowly. Basically, replaced one feeding at a time with formula and after 4 or 5 days, replaced another. We started with the feedings he was least crabby during (late morning, early afternoon) and went from there.

I want to try to go as long as possible with morning/evening BF sessions. Because yes - emotionally, it's tough. But it's not as emotional as it would be if I had to leave LO at daycare not knowing if he would eat or not.

Want a personalized experience?

Who has switched from BF to formula?

Re: Who has switched from BF to formula?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards