Switching from Breast to Bottle??

**Mrs Bunny** · 20-06-2006, 10:12pm

We have finally decided to switch from breast to bottle. Jacob will be 4 months on sunday so I think we have done pretty well, especially with his wriggling.

I am a bit sad, but enough is enough.
We have introduced a bottle overnight (if he wakes) and one at some point during the day. The day bottle varies with timing, usually when we are out. Sometimes he will have half a bottle at bedtime. He sometimes has some from both sides and is still hungry.

Where do we go from here? Do I leave it like this for a week or so and see what happens? I am finding I don't have very much milk in my left side and he gets wriggly really quickly. The right is better and I have been trying to "save" it for bedtime. Tonight it seemed really full, but after 15 minutes he was wriggling and pulling off again. Left had nothing. It is so upsetting that my body is just not producing enough for him.

Another quick bottle question while I'm here

We are using avent bottle and are still on size 1 teats. The next size up he just dribbles everywhere. He doesn't seem to mind this size and guzzles a full 7oz bottle not problems. Should I move up a size or stick with what we have atm?

Thanks
Mrs B

**Diddlum** · 20-06-2006, 10:17pm

Re the teat size - if he's happy with a size 1 and dribbles loads with the next size up, there's no need to change yet imo. If he starts taking AGES to down a bottle or he fusses a lot try it then, but he still might dribble quite a bit until he gets used to it. Niamh was on size 1's for aaages!

Now I'll have to post this and come back to edit it as I can't see your original post.

ETA So how many breastfeeds is he having a day? Is he not really in a regular pattern with his feeds (breast or bottle?). When I changed Niamh onto bottles she was having 5 regular feeds a day so I was able to do it quite gradually. I would replace one breastfeed with a bottle for 3 days, then the next feed with a bottle for 3 days etc. These were the middle 3 feeds and I left the morning and night feeds as breast for a week or so, then dropped the morning one to a bottle, then carried on with just the bedtime one for a little bit longer. Does that makes any sense at all?!!!

**Mrs Bunny** · 20-06-2006, 10:31pm

Thanks Diddlum.
He still doesn't seem to have a pattern.
He will have a breast feed when he wakes proper (which is random as sometimes he sleeps through) then maybe breast maybe bottle, depending on whether we are out, around 11-12ish. Another mid afternoon and usually a breastfeed 5-6 and another at bedtime. The second afternoon feed is often just a snack and I try not to use the right side as I want it for bedtime.
The times are really random and the second afternoon feed sometimes doesn't happen. Also if he sleeps through he doesn't get the nighttime bottle. We have set a cut off of 6am, before then he gets a bottle.

It is so confusing. I would like to keep the bedtime and morning breast feeds for as long as possible, but my boobs don't seem to know what they want to do. It doesn't help that feeding from the left is still very painful as my nipple still hasn't healed

Mrs B

ETA I might make a note of his feeds and see if I can see a bit of a pattern.

**Diddlum** · 20-06-2006, 10:37pm

Just a thought, I'm sure you've probably tried everything but have you got any Lansinoh cream for your nipple? It's a bit pricey at £10 a tube especially if you're stopping bf'ing but it's really good. You might be able to get a sample from your clinic or doctor.

I just wonder whether your left side isn't producing because maybe he doesn't latch on so well that side? I think it's quite common for babies to have a 'favourite' side. If you could get that nipple healed over and make sure that the latch is ok you could probably carry on with your morning and bedtime feeds.

Just a thought.

But I can't remember what things you said you've tried - have you seen or spoken to a bf'ing counsellor?

ETA Has the mastitis all cleared up now?

**Mrs Bunny** · 20-06-2006, 10:43pm

I have boots lanolin nipple cream that I think is pretty similar and it was good at the beginning.
I have spoken to a BFing counsellor, she suggested it might be teeth that is making him fussy.
He latch seems really good on both sides. I have noticed he is calm especially on the right for the first part of the feed, then as my boob gets empty he starts to struggle. I think he just gets fed up that there is not enough. His struggling caused the blister/crack and then the mastitis.
He is just a wriggly baby by nature. Has been since I first felt him move when I was just 17 weeks pregnant

Thanks for your help.
Mrs B

ETA Mastitis gone now, thank god. I felt awful. Finished antibiotics today, but felt normal since saturday now. Thanks.