Wanting to drop comp bottles

[pebilz]

Hi Pinky

I am currently alternating between b/f and f/f my 4 week DS due to some early attachment and supply issues. Now that we have our technique down pat I want to be able to drop the formula feeds. So how do I go about this without affecting my supply as when I've tried to b/f when he's due a bottle I end up having to give him a small bottle anyway to fill him up as I don't seem to have enough milk.

Thank you!

[Pinky McKay]

Hi Pebilz

Good on you for making the effort to completely breastfeed.

To wean off formula, you can gradually decrease the amount in each bottle, which may mean your baby needs to be fed more frequently for a few days, until your supply catches up with his needs or, another option is to go more 'cold turkey' : Plan a few days at home, stock up the fridge with food and drink for yourself and perhaps hire some good DVDs so that you can just focus on breastfeeding. Then relax and nurse your baby as long as he wants - most of the day if necessary.

Another suggestion if you have been offering quite a bit of formula is to express milk at a time when you have quite a bit ( eg mornings - this will stimulate your supply) so that bottle top-ups are expressed breast milk rather than formula, but this can be quite stressful for some mums and still doesn’t eliminate the bottle.

Besides, if you have a willing baby, it is far easier to simply put him to the breast more often and the skin to skin contact will stimulate milk production hormones that help boost your supply. Relaxing and snuggling is lovely for bonding too.


As formula takes longer to digest and tends to 'zonk' babies, your baby may seem a bit unsettled after feeds for a few days if he is used to having a bottle as well. You could try distracting him by taking him for a walk in a sling after a feed or get your partner to walk him (there won’t be a milky smell to remind him about feeding more). A good resource which may be helpful, is the Australian Breastfeeding Association booklet ‘Increasing your supply’.

Best of luck,
Pinky