Breast feeding to bottle

SuzySu

Just an idea....but if you are finding it awkward to BF, could it be that your baby is not getting a 'full' feed and that might be the reason he feeds every two hours? I fed all mine but it was not something I found easy at first.

If you are definite about switching to a bottle, are you expressing and trying to feed that from a bottle, or are you going straight onto formula? Maybe changing both the method of feeding AND what you are feeding is too much for your baby at once.

xxvickixx

I'd also add that there is seratonin (sp?) in your breastmilk especially in the evening and night so it helps baby get back to sleep and sleep better. Milk expressed in the evening will have more of this so if you are giving that in the bottle it may help you get better sleep than anything else.
If you find feeding uncomfortable it may be an idea to ask some other mums to give you some pointers. You shouldn't (as you know!) be bending over as it is a killer on your back. Have you tried using a pillow or rolled up blanket under your arms to lift baby up to you? If you are able to get to a BF support group they will be able to give you some more ideas.
Feeding lying down at night is brilliant especially if you co-sleep as it means you can just nod off afterwards!
I hope you manage to get a little more sleep as it's not much fun when you're up all night.

Guinea_2

3onitsway wrote: »

Looking in pain isn't good! :eek:

Another thought, do you do lying down feeding at night?, I used to find that most comfy at home and quite often did it in that position during the day.

If you do evening feeds like that for a while, then OH uses the same position but with bottle, and wrapped in your t-shirt, it might feel familiar enough to trick him into taking the bottle?!? I dunno - might be worth a try!

I know it's not good but the only way I can do it out of the house! At home I'm fine as I have one of those pillow things but just can't do it without it as I breast feed baby like a rugby ball! It does look rather amusing!

I have tried the lying down before but just doesn't work for me!

Will definately try wrapping my husband in my smelly day old t-shirt :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:while he tries to feed baby. He'll love that one but I will pursuade him!
Thanks!

Guinea_2

SuzySu wrote: »

Just an idea....but if you are finding it awkward to BF, could it be that your baby is not getting a 'full' feed and that might be the reason he feeds every two hours? I fed all mine but it was not something I found easy at first.

If you are definite about switching to a bottle, are you expressing and trying to feed that from a bottle, or are you going straight onto formula? Maybe changing both the method of feeding AND what you are feeding is too much for your baby at once.

Baby is certainly getting enough milk as I leak everywhere! I have even squirted him in the face on several occasions! Actually...our leather sofa is COVERED in breast milk!
I don't want to switch totally but would like the choice of whether to feed from the b**b or from the bottle. We have done the breast milk from the bottle as well but this doesn't work at the moment.
Thanks!

GobbledyGook

Probably sounds daft, but have you thought of a blow up pillow when you are out and about? I found it much more comfortable BF'ing DD2 on a pillow at home and a friend bought me one of those travel pillows for when I was out and about. I possibly looked at bit odd, but it was much more comfortable than without it and hardly took up any space because it was blow up.

Guinea_2

xxvickixx wrote: »

I'd also add that there is seratonin (sp?) in your breastmilk especially in the evening and night so it helps baby get back to sleep and sleep better. Milk expressed in the evening will have more of this so if you are giving that in the bottle it may help you get better sleep than anything else.
If you find feeding uncomfortable it may be an idea to ask some other mums to give you some pointers. You shouldn't (as you know!) be bending over as it is a killer on your back. Have you tried using a pillow or rolled up blanket under your arms to lift baby up to you? If you are able to get to a BF support group they will be able to give you some more ideas.
Feeding lying down at night is brilliant especially if you co-sleep as it means you can just nod off afterwards!
I hope you manage to get a little more sleep as it's not much fun when you're up all night.

Thanks for this advice. I'm not worried about sleep during the night as he sleeps very well during the night (8pm until 5am) but would just like the opportunity to alternate between b**b and bottle.

Guinea_2

GobbledyGook wrote: »

Probably sounds daft, but have you thought of a blow up pillow when you are out and about? I found it much more comfortable BF'ing DD2 on a pillow at home and a friend bought me one of those travel pillows for when I was out and about. I possibly looked at bit odd, but it was much more comfortable than without it and hardly took up any space because it was blow up.

I haven't thought of this! This is a fab idea! Do you know where I can get a cheap one from? :beer:

GobbledyGook

Guinea wrote: »

I haven't thought of this! This is a fab idea! Do you know where I can get a cheap one from? :beer:

Ebay perhaps? I know you can get them in Asda and semi-chem, but I'm not sure of the cost.

GobbledyGook

You can get them in Boots for £9.99, but there are a couple on Ebay as well.

chloe99_2

other advice you have received is good - get someone else to try the bottle for you, use a wide soft teat like the tommee tippee.

The action for bottle is totally different so to get babe interested you may need to give the teat a couple of squeezes so he can taste the milk.

If you are trying formula in bottle dont make it too warm as b milk is only tepid (i give the odd bottle always at room temp).

If using formula then rub some breast milk over teat first to mask the other smells.

If baby doesnt use one already the introduce a dummy for him to play with (big cherry soothers not those small flat ones) - you have to help them keep it in at first but once they get the hang of it they like to play with it in their mouths (my 12 week old has dummy maybe 3 times a week, he likes it but doesnt depend on it)

Never try the bottle when baby is hungry. Breast feed first then when he's finished the first go try the bottle.

Hope you work something out.