Weaning to formula at 6 months? Advice?

[creamsiclechica]

Not selfish, honey. I understand exactly what you mean, and with your sleep issues, it might be best to outsource a little. I would try 50/50 ratio until she gets it? Big hugs, you're doing a great job!

[lilac05]

I don't have experience with weaning "early", but it's not selfish if it's making you a better person/mom. Breastfeeding takes a lot out of you!

I think the morning feeding would be the toughest to drop first. Milk production is highest overnight/early AM, plus you'd have the additional time from overnight sleeping. I would start with a midday bottle first.

Remember that you can combo feed, too! Nurse morning/bedtime and do all other bottles. Then, if you ever want to be gone at bedtime, you know a bottle is no big deal (and you can decide whether or not you want to pump.

[ladystardust]

The actual switching to formula wasn't too bad (also at 6 months). Had to try a couple brands to find what works best but that was just trial and error.

For us it was getting her to take a bottle. I would do one feeding a day from a bottle. Since she was going to daycare we had to make it work. I think she finally started taking one the week before she started.

If she's already good with that, then I bet it will be pretty easy!

[Deleted]

This was me. I just stopped about 3-4 weeks ago my supply was getting lower and I just needed my body back. We just slowly introduced a bottle or two a day to see what he would take (I had samples around the house). I miss it a little at bedtime just for the snuggling factor, but am fine with it in every other way. He was kind of pissed for about a week, but hasn't had any issues since. The worst part was the engorgement trying to get my supply to finish drying up.

[Deleted]

Do what works for you, there's nothing wrong with switching no matter what your reason is. I BF'd exclusively for 4mos, then did a mix of daytime formula/nightime BF until we reached 9mos, then switched completely to formula for the last few months until cow's milk. When I ended the daytime pumping at work, I just cut it down gradually. I was doing 3 sessions (morning, lunch, afternoon). The next week I cut out lunch and shifted the morning/afternoon a bit. Then the third week I cut down to one mid-day session. It was not uncomfortable at all, my body adjusted to the gradual cutback.

If you're feeding directly, I'd just gradually switch a feeding over to bottles 1-2 feedings at a time over the weeks, and hand express a bit (but not fully) to release any discomfort.

[liverandonions]

I did a mix as we transitioned. Upped it by an ounce each time until my breastmilk was gone.

[Kristinmo]

Don't feel bad! I started making the switch when DS was 3 months old. I switched one bottle at a time and did not mix. He was not picky as long as there was food.

I only switched him during the day because I didn't want to pump at work. I still BFed in the morning/evening until he self-weaned at 10 months. I liked BFing so that worked well for me.