Transition from breast to bottle
6 answers /
Last post: 13/03/2023 at 11:39 am
My 4th breastfed baby really does not like any teat , or dummy etc, and I'm at a loss on what to do after 5 months of no sleep , he wakes every 2 hours , and I'm really tired :) , any tips ? Thank you!
Hi Raychel,
I’m currently trialling a move to exclusive bottles after deciding I can’t cope with the no sleep anymore, my little girl has consistently woken 2 hourly at night, sometimes even hourly!! I know breast is best and all that, but also not being an exhausted cranky old cow in my household is also best lol! So far we have had most luck with the dr browns bottles and always a slow flow teat. I have to pump 2 hourly which is a bit annoying but hired a hospital grade pump from medula which sucks it out much quicker in about 10-15 mins. And then have a little pump for out and about. I also use some formula as a back up so I don’t stress too much about my supply. The only difficult thing has been that my little girl still looks for the boob and throws the occasional strop, so the mum guilt kicks in, but we are powering through. It helps if my husband starts the bottles and then I finish them. We chose a week when he was off work to start the transition. Good luck xxx
Hi Raychel,
I’m currently trialling a move to exclusive bottles after deciding I can’t cope with the no sleep anymore, my little girl has consistently woken 2 hourly at night, sometimes even hourly!! I know breast is best and all that, but also not being an exhausted cranky old cow in my household is also best lol! So far we have had most luck with the dr browns bottles and always a slow flow teat. I have to pump 2 hourly which is a bit annoying but hired a hospital grade pump from medula which sucks it out much quicker in about 10-15 mins. And then have a little pump for out and about. I also use some formula as a back up so I don’t stress too much about my supply. The only difficult thing has been that my little girl still looks for the boob and throws the occasional strop, so the mum guilt kicks in, but we are powering through. It helps if my husband starts the bottles and then I finish them. We chose a week when he was off work to start the transition. Good luck xxx
How did you start that trial ? Lol , how is it going?
My little one just chews the bottle and complains it isn't the boob, coughs on the milk, spits way more out than he drinks , as he doesn't even latch to the bottle:(
ive tried it at different times, ive tried it midfeed to 'swap' ive tried different teats, bottles several of , all of the "breastlike" i feel like ive tried everything :( , my partner works away so , I'm all alone with this one xx
Hi Raychel
We've moved your thread into our drop-in clinic - breastfeeding, so you can get the advice and support you need
Hi Raychel
We've moved your thread into our drop-in clinic - breastfeeding, so you can get the advice and support you need
Thank you x
Hi Raychel
You are a very experienced Mum and breast feeder! I imagine with your 4th baby you thought you'd have this sussed! Nothing like a little person with their own mind.
I suppose the big question here is does your LO still need the night feeds, and do you wish for them to continue? If you dropped the night feeds altogether then this could solve this issue?
Does your LO need the nutrition or do you think your LO is seeking the breast for comfort and using it to drift back off to sleep again? Are they able to self soothe yet?
https://www.netmums.com/baby/self-soothing-or-settling
If your LO is almost 6 months you could explore introducing a feeding beaker perhaps instead as this will take away nipple / teat confusion? You may find some ideas here:
If your LO was old enough and showing signs of weaning then this could be another way to change the routine and make it feel better for everyone?
These are just a few ideas Raychel, so if you have an idea of what you would like the night times to look like and would like to chat more, we are here to help.
Best wishes
Tracey HV
