For those who have BF & weaned onto formula

[Eveadel]

I have been slowly over a couple of weeks introducing formula to Isabella. This may sound silly but my breasts are still filling up (not as much now) but when will I know when my milk has dried out??? How long does it take for them to dry out? Will they feel the same as when your milk comes in and how long does it last?

Thanks in advance

 

My milk took months to dissapear completely, but I expressed not BF. Think it was gone properly when he was about 5 or 6 months old? Maybe a bit less? But I stopped leaking about a couple of weeks after I stopped I think?

 

[Dee1985]

my boobs still leak now and have done since being 12weeks pregnant with Dior.
when my milk came in i was bigger thren lea from big brother the pain was unbelievable i couldnt even lay down put my arms down as my boobs were in my arm pits

 

[Rosieroo]

I think you can still normally squeeze out milk for up to a year afterwards

 

[*saulino*]

Hi

wow Kina thats a long time , good to know thanks
Katrina

 

[Eveadel]

Thanks girls.

Yesterday was the first day Isabella did not breastfeed. My bobbies are feeling ok at the mo and are leaking a little but not much. She seems to be much more content now being fully on formula

 

[KatysMummy]

Hi Eveadel

Do you mind if I ask you why you weaned Isabella onto formula, and which one you are using? Also, how did you go about it?

 

[Eveadel]

Hi Em

I weaned Isabella onto formula because she was just not getting satisfied with booby. I think she was having more foremilk than hind which was resulting in her being hungry nearly every hour and I really could not cope. She is now alot more contented having a bottle. She now has her last bottle about 8.30pm and will sleep through til about 3-4am. She is on Cow & Gate.

We slowly introduced/topped her up with formula over about 2 weeks so started with one bottle of formula a day and then gradually increased it until after about 2 weeks she was completely weaned.

I dont feel a failure or anything like that and I didnt worry I would miss the closeness with her but it is just the same and as she is more contected now.

Are you thinking about weaning?

 

[Urchin]

Hi Eveadel

Do you mind if I ask you why you weaned Isabella onto formula, and which one you are using? Also, how did you go about it?

I started weaning Brody onto Aptimil at about 6 months.
This week is the first week he has been totally on formula.

I chose Aptimil because it is supposed to be the closest to breastmilk, and contains pre-biotics etc.

 

[Lucy]

Hi Eveadel

Glad to hear things are going better for you. In no way are you a failure and your littleone has had lots of great breastmilk at the start.

Sorry For hi-jacking the thread - Urchin did Brody just accept you giving him bottles or did he refuse them and try to go for your boob to start? I was planning to wean Olivia onto bottles but she just wont take one from me. She has one before she goes to bed (DH feeds her) but will only drink 2 oz (no matter how long it's been since her dinner). She is still waking 3-4 times during the night and I'm just wondering if giving her formula will help her to go longer during the night? I know some babies just wont sleep alot at night but she's only slept til 5am a handful of times in over 7 months and I'm shattered.

Thanks
Lucy

 

[KatysMummy]

Hi Eveadel!

Good for you, you've done a great job with Isabella. I have the greatest admiration for anyone who manages to get through that first week of feeding now I know how hard it is!!

I had a really bad day & felt like giving up. I have introduced a bottle of formula before Katy goes to bed - worked like a dream the first night, she slept from 9pm to 5.15am after 3oz! Last night was another story though!! I'm going to perservere with that and BF for now and see how we get on. I'd like to carry on with the BF, but like you I will consider other avenues if it doesn't start to improve.

Hope your all doing better now and feeling more sane!!

 

[beanie]

Hey Em, if you are struggling with breastfeeding and want to talk about it there is a breastfeeding support thread in this section.

 

[Urchin]

Urchin did Brody just accept you giving him bottles or did he refuse them and try to go for your boob to start? I was planning to wean Olivia onto bottles but she just wont take one from me. She has one before she goes to bed (DH feeds her) but will only drink 2 oz (no matter how long it's been since her dinner). She is still waking 3-4 times during the night and I'm just wondering if giving her formula will help her to go longer during the night? I know some babies just wont sleep alot at night but she's only slept til 5am a handful of times in over 7 months and I'm shattered.

Thanks
Lucy

He really rejected the bottle at first, but slowly came around and now moans till he gets one.

As far as the feeding/sleeping thing goes, feel free to pm me, I have totally been there and done that and last week for the very first time, Brody started sleeping through, and has done so every night since!
It wasn't just the formula thing though, I'm sure it was a mixture of things I've done. Like I said, pm me if you need any help or ideas.

xxx

 

[beanie]

Lucy my experience has been that Seren will wake no matter what milk she has before bed. She seems to be sttling down though so I guess she will sleep through when she is ready