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March 2015 Moms
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Transitioning from BF to formula

mamaskittles09mamaskittles09 member
in March 2015 Moms
Hello! In a few weeks I'll be headed back to work and while I'm unsure as to where these ten weeks have gone Im entirely greatful I had them! My question: when I go back to work I don't think I'll be able to keep up with pumping. I would love to continue breastfeeding but I know myself and my schedule at work really won't allow me to take breaks to pump. How did you transition baby from exclusively breast feeding to formula? Any formulas you recommend? And what do you recommend for drying up your production?
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Re: Transitioning from BF to formula

  • UnknownUnknown
    edited May 2015
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  • KD32412KD32412 member
    blowinsmoke said:

    You can slowly decrease how often baby is nursing by eliminating 1 nursing session at a time and replacing that with a formula bottle. So if baby is nursing 8 times a day, do 7 for a couple days, then 6 for a couple days, then 5, and so on until you are to big fat zero. 


    Picking a formula is very simple. Go to the store and choose based on which container's colors you prefer. You can also select based on which brand has the most vowels in their name, but I've found this isn't always reliable. 

    Alternatively, do some research about ingredients and vitamins in different formulas (i.e. some formulas' first ingredient is sugar whereas others' first ingredient is non-fat milk). You can then make an educated selection. Most who start with formula with no prior feeding issues will select a base-line formula from one of the big manufacturers (e.g. Similac Advance or Enfamil Infant). You wouldn't necessarily need to vary from that unless your baby has an issue like a sensitive stomach or milk protein allergy. 

    Finally, regarding drying up your supply. For this, you need to pack your nipples with something to eliminate all airflow. Popular choices include Play-Doh or Silly Putty. Make sure they are firmly packed, or your body won't know to stop making milk.

    Other methods that have been successful in assisting in the cessation of milk supply include taking a decongestant such as Sudafed (from behind the counter at the pharmacy), wearing compression sports bras, and placing cabbage leaves on your breasts.

    It will take some time and you will likely have some pain. Try not to pump or nurse, but rather hand-express milk just enough to relieve the pain of engorgement if necessary.

    There is also an anit-milk dance that has been used for centuries. It's basically the opposite of a rain dance, and is used in many cultures to help mothers dry their milk once their baby self-weans so they can return to work hastily. You can search for it on YouTube. If you perform the dance 7 times each day, your milk will dry up within 3 months.
    @blowinsmoke That "anit-milk dance" is a lost art!
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