Breast to bottle

[Psychick]

I was just wondering if those of you who have gone from breastfeeding to bottle feeding could share your experiences with me. For the past 17 days I have been breastfeeding and all has been going well. At about 11/12 days old, my baby seemed to be needing top ups and wasnt settling so easy and was feeding from both sides each feed instead of one. My worry was I wasnt producing enough milk. A few days ago I decided to have a go at bottle feeding expressed milk and it went pretty well but ever since, not only can I no longer express enough to feed, I can no longer seem to satisfy her even feeding both sides.
I am now trying her on formula, which is a shame as I wanted to breastfeed her til around 6 months. She is taking it well after pulling a few faces. My concern is how I do this change. I know youre supposed to introduce formula milk gradually but what if I cant do that? Have any of you just gone from one straight to the other successfully?
Thanks in advance.

[daffy654]

I breast fed my son for 2 years psychick so I can't help with the going from breast to bottle.I did want to tell you that it is perfectly natural (common even) to have to feed from both breasts in one feed.My midwife told me to do this as you could end up with the milk drying up on the least used side and lopsided boobs when you stop breastfeeding.Also I could never express enough milk for bottle feeding,some women just aren't suited to the manual pumps as the action is different to natural suckling.I did use an electric powered pump successfully when my son was in hospital at 4 months old and unable to feed properly due to bronchiolitis.

[ethanryan]

hi with my 1st son i tried breast for about 6 weeks and he wasnt settling down either i tried expressing but couldnt get the hang of it. i spoke to my mom about forula and she said just try and see how it goes. i just stopped the breast feeding and went to bottles, he was fine, his nappies were a bit runny for a few days but this was just due to the change in milk. my son slept much better and was far more content. i know they say breast is best, but you have tried. i felt really quilty at first but at least you know she is getting the right amounts

[Goodsoulette]

Firstly, congratulations on the breastfeeding for 17 days. Psychick, have confidence in yourself. Feeding off both breasts is normal. Baby is more than likely having a growth spurt and your body adjusts its milk as you continue to feed to nourish the baby better. So in a week or so you might find the feeds settle back to normal for a month or two until baby psychick has another spurt. You could do a morning an evening feed and formula inbetween. I know people who have gone straight to formula. Only one person I know had problems, their baby became very snotty and he had to have soya formula. I'm sure what ever you choose to do he will be fine.

[yogasun]

I had a similar experience to daffy, Psychick. I fed my first son for 9 months and he went straight on to a beaker and second for 15months and he did the same. I fed both on both breasts every feed and for the second son I had to repeat the feeding. At one point as he hadn't put much weight on (think it was 3 months) it was suggested topping up, but I just fed more, and more milk came in and he grew and grew (he's now 22 and 6 ft!!). Don't worry if you have to use formula-you can breast feed as well but realise that with less stimulation there will be less milk.

[Psychick]

Thanks ladies. I know its normal to feed both sides is normal but both sides seem to be drying up as she is not satisfied after having both anymore. The theory of a growth spurt makes alot of sense though.
With my other daughter I only managed 4 days breastfeeding as I found it so painful and stressfull so was pleased when things were going so much better this time. Im feeling like a failure at the moment but I know these things happen. I have decided to get her onto formula and stop with the breastfeeding. At the moment Im so sore from her sucking me dry both sides that just the thought of letting her feed at the moment makes me want to scream in pain! I just needed reassurance she should be ok if I stopped breastfeeding altogether as shes taken the formula so well (just keeping fingers crossed it doesnt upset her tummy too much!)
Thanks again all of you for your experiences and advice.

[daffy654]

She will be fine psychick.My daughter had to do this with her son after a few days as her nipples were so sore that they scabbed over, so obviously the milk just couldn't come through. She switched him straight onto SMA gold cap and he was fine.You have no need to feel any guilt at all,you have done the best thing for your daughter by breast feeding for the first 2 weeks.Good luck with it all.xxx

[Psychick]

Thanks daffy. I know how your daughter feels as thats what happened to me last time and I know it will happen again if I continue as one of my nipples actually starting bleeding a tiny bit yesterday! I think that when I made up my mind I needed to stop.
Ah well, thats that then, wont be going through it again now as Im still adament Im not having any more lol

[aims1202]

thats great that you have breastfed this long, well done. the only thing i would say about giving bottle feeds as well is that you dont produce as much milk then, the more your baby breastfeeds the more milk you will produce, there is no such thing as not having enough milk for your baby, if you are eating well and resting. make sure she feeds for a long time on each breast so she gets the hind milk as well. she could be going through a growth spurt which will mean the milk you produce will gradually change to what she needs and then settle down again. good luck

[radiogaga]

hi psychick, how are you and baby?
i breast fed babygaga for 6 weeks from her birth but had to be taken back into hospital for a d&c as i had retained a peice of afterbirth in my womb, i discovered this when i developed a high temp and other symptoms of being dizzy and weak.
the dr at the surgery i had attended prescribed me 2 courses of antibiotics to take straight away and he recomemded sma baby milk to be given to babygaga with immediate effect.
baby gaga drank her milk no problems although her stools were very hard and caused her pain when passing them, although this only happened once or twice.
i came home from the hospital and started breastfeeding her again. i stopped when she was 4 months. babygaga coped well with all the changes to her milk, she was a premeture baby, popping along 7 weeks early.
your HV should be on hand to offer you advice and support. good luck radio.x