https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 10 May 2026 04:54:44 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-switch-from-bf-to-exclusively-formula#post-1857573 Thu, 11 Sep 2014 08:27:23 +0000 LuLu Mom 1857573@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I switched at 10 weeks or so to exclusively FF. I was only pumping at this time because she never could latch (we tried 3 different LCs none of them could figure out why she was being so lazy about it.) At the time she was having a LOT of stomach issues and was spitting up almost everything she ate, I adjusted my diet but it was never enough so I gave formula a try and she did so much better. I was never fully attached to BF so it was a no-brainer for me for both my sanity &amp; her need to gain weight. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-switch-from-bf-to-exclusively-formula#post-1857544 Thu, 11 Sep 2014 08:18:52 +0000 sweetooth 1857544@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chibee: We switched around 3 months and life improved immensely for us all. One of the benefits too was that my husband really had the chance to develop a bond with our son because he could participate in feedings more. I remember those early months spending so much time googling and searching breastfeeding forums. I think the guilt issues are natural. I felt so weepy when my supply was drying up, I blame the hormones. It was the best decision we ever made. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-switch-from-bf-to-exclusively-formula#post-1857487 Thu, 11 Sep 2014 07:41:48 +0000 chibee 1857487@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you everyone! I'm having major guilt issues just considering it and I have no idea why, I have absolutely zero issues with formula and never have, I was never a huge breastfeeding advocate anyway, but every time I want to give up I'm just like "ok let's just try one more day" - but this is something that's been on my mind from day 1 - ever since I had to pump around the clock while LO was in the NICU, it was miserable. </p> <p>@Charm54: @spaniellove: I have the Boon lawn drying rack and the stem things for nipples - i love it! </p> <p>I find this hard because I have people around me who are either really pro-BF or pro-formula, no one is really pro-do what you feel is right. Thanks for your input, this is why i come here! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-switch-from-bf-to-exclusively-formula#post-1857321 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 22:21:05 +0000 hummusgirl 1857321@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We switched completely at 7 weeks. LO is 2 now and totally thriving, very little illness, no allergies and very advanced! (if I do say so myself) </p> <p>You might want to check out <a href="http://www.fearlessformulafeeder.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.fearlessformulafeeder.com</a>. It helped me come to grips with the situation and give myself permission to stop when the attempting-to-BF/pumping + formula madness wasn't working for anyone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-switch-from-bf-to-exclusively-formula#post-1857267 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 21:25:56 +0000 loveisstrange 1857267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We switched totally around 7-8 weeks and it was the best decision I ever made. Zero regrets. EVERYONE told me "OMG, it gets easier. Just keep going." The fact of the matter is.... I didnt want to, not really. I was dreading every feeding and really resenting her and it just wasnt healthy for me or her. The day I finally put away the pump and quit was like the weight of the world was lifted and I was finally able to fully bond with her. Make the right decision for YOU and don't let the guilt from either side sway you.</p> <p>As for how much, she was taking about 2-3oz every 3 hours at that point, I think. </p> <p>Best of luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-switch-from-bf-to-exclusively-formula#post-1857262 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 21:20:53 +0000 daniellemybelle 1857262@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We never made the switch completely, though I am shocked it didn't happen with all we went through. All I can say is that I know it is so HARD. We had to supplement as well, and the whole thing was so stressful. LO was not a happy nurser for the first 4 months. I stuck with it because I am stubborn ;) </p> <p>I can't tell you what to do but I can say that even for moms without challenges, 3 weeks in, nursing is tough. But at 10 months I love nursing so much and I am so, so glad I am still nursing, even though we never stopped supplementing. </p> <p>Good luck &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-switch-from-bf-to-exclusively-formula#post-1857222 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 20:56:28 +0000 Mae 1857222@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did. My story is way too long to share completely here (if you really want the whole deal tell me and I'll share but I don't want to overwhelm you with info). </p> <p>The cliffs notes version is that, in the end, after 15.5 weeks of stressing about feeding my LO every. single. day., having low supply I couldn't increase, having had to give up BF at 8 weeks (so I was EPing), discovering LO had reflux, and then an allergy to dairy, and then an allergy to soy, and then the 4 month regression hit and I wasn't getting any sleep and I was so stressed out that my (already low) supply plummeted and I didn't have time to pump anyways because I'm alone all day and LO stopped napping well... I gave up. It just wasn't worth it to me anymore for how little milk she was getting. </p> <p>LO has been on nothing but formula for 1.5 weeks and she is doing great. And I'm doing great. So glad to not be stressing about what I eat all the time, about my output, about figuring out when to give milk and when to give formula, etc. </p> <p>At 3 weeks I was BF and supplementing. She was eating every 3 hours night and day (had weight issues so we were still waking to feed). I'm not sure exactly how much she ate since I was BF too... but I think I remember my LC saying that babies around 3 weeks usually eat like 22-26 oz/day?? But all babies are different. I'd just feed what your baby wants. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-switch-from-bf-to-exclusively-formula#post-1857160 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 20:09:01 +0000 Mamasig 1857160@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh and I think they ate around 3 ounces every 2-2 1/2 hours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-switch-from-bf-to-exclusively-formula#post-1857159 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 20:08:22 +0000 Mamasig 1857159@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With DS1, I switched at around 3 weeks. Breastfeeding was way too stressful and I always worried about how much he was eating. He didn't really get the hang of it so I don't think I produced enough and therefore he was always hungry. He lost too much weight after birth so I was paranoid. Formula feeding took a HUGE weight off of my shoulders. He's almost 2 and is a wonderful, happy, and healthy boy. </p> <p>I only lasted a week with DS2. I wasn't as stressed but it hurt too much. </p> <p>Breastfeeding was not for me! I felt guilty at first but got over it. I felt no guilt the 2nd time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-switch-from-bf-to-exclusively-formula#post-1857137 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 19:49:51 +0000 ladybee 1857137@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't even make it two weeks. I had a c/s so my milk was slow coming in, I only wanted to pump so that didn't help, and I put myself under so much pressure. I cried constantly because I wasn't producing enough, if I was pumping he was crying, etc. I remember my parents called me and simply said, "you don't get this time back. Please stop stressing over how you are feeding him and love him. We put money in your account, go buy formula." It was the greatest gift ever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-switch-from-bf-to-exclusively-formula#post-1857116 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 19:34:05 +0000 mkp17 1857116@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I decided to exclusively formula feed after 2 days. It was the only thing that was stressing me out about having a newborn. I have a perfectly healthy, happy 17 month old that was formula fed so that helped me feel okay about it.<br /> It was the right decision for myself and both of my kids because it was going to cause extra stress on me which would not have been good for anyone. I did feel guilty at first, but as soon as I made the decision I felt 100% better and knew it was the right thing. My pediatrician supported me 100% also which really helped.<br /> Both were eating 3.5 ounces on average every 2.5-3 hours.<br /> Hugs to you!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-switch-from-bf-to-exclusively-formula#post-1857110 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 19:28:59 +0000 reverie 1857110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I couldn't keep up with demand when I was on maternity leave but fought hard to give my son 85% breast milk (only supplementing at night for the love of everything I needed to sleep more than 45 minutes at a time). At 15 weeks, after I was back at work, pumping was a joke. I was putting out 6 ounces in two hours of pumping a day and the baby started to refuse to nurse b/c he preferred actually getting substancial milk from a bottle. At that point we switched over 100% to formula. He was fine. Zero problems what-so-ever. He stayed small on the growth curve until a year when he finally caught up to his height percentage. Honestly, emotions were SO HIGH, but switching saved my sanity. It took me about 10 days to get over it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-switch-from-bf-to-exclusively-formula#post-1857102 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 19:21:23 +0000 ShootingStar 1857102@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I switch from EBF to EFF at around 7 months. I was totally over pumping; my job is way too busy and stressful and people kept trampling my pumping times for other meetings. At the same time I reduced pumping I got really sick and couldn't manage without decongestants. I started quickly losing supply between those two things and I decided I just couldn't BF part time. So I let my supply disappear and switched to formula. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-switch-from-bf-to-exclusively-formula#post-1857000 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 17:55:51 +0000 cookiemomster 1857000@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had to start supplementing at four days because LO list over a pound in that time. Exclusive formula started at two weeks. My milk just never came in- despite pumping every three hours I never got more than 5-10 ml at a time.<br /> Aside from the guilt and people trying to convince me I didn't try hard enough (I did), it's been fantastic. Dad can help with feeds, we know exactly how much she's eating, and she's happy and healthy. The food source that makes baby happy and keeps Mom sane is best, and that's not always breastmilk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-switch-from-bf-to-exclusively-formula#post-1856995 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 17:46:25 +0000 spaniellove 1856995@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chibee: I can't tell you about switching, but going back and looking at my log LO was feeding every 3 hours and 2.6-2.9 oz with the occasional day averaging more than 3 oz.</p> <p>Agree with the above rec - we have a Munchkin Spinning Rack which is awesome and adjustable, and then a Boon Patch in the window behind the sink. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-switch-from-bf-to-exclusively-formula#post-1856994 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 17:46:19 +0000 Charm54 1856994@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At 3 weeks I stopped the ridiculous BF/supplementing/pumping cycle and decided to just EP&amp;supplement. So.much.easier.</p> <p>I want to say at that age she was getting 3oz bottles every 3-4 hours...either pumped milk or formula, whatever was in the fridge and at the ready. She started STTN (8-10 hours) shortly after we started bottle feeding which was a great bonus. Once that happened she started feeding more often during the day to make up for no MOTN feedings</p> <p>If you do decide to bottle feed, I highly recommend the Boon lawn drying rack - it has been a lifesaver and we are still using it a year later! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-switch-from-bf-to-exclusively-formula#post-1856977 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 17:25:47 +0000 Smurfette 1856977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At 6 months I was over BF and I weaned her to formula.</p> <p>We started formula at 4 weeks cause she wouldn't take a bottle and I hated wasting BM cause I hardly found time to pump. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-switch-from-bf-to-exclusively-formula#post-1856976 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 17:24:46 +0000 artsyfartsy 1856976@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't switch but I know how you are feeling!! I'm definitely not trying to persuade you to stay BFing but that feeling does fade eventually. You're not constantly counting down the minutes until you feed again and then are worried if they had enough, will they give me 3 hours of peace this time, oh god we have to leave the house but they need to eat in an hour...? Etc. I don't miss it! And I don't blame you at all if you need to switch in order to have a happier relationship with your LO. Just my words of encouragement. :)</p> <p>ETA: I didn't have to supplement so I can't imagine the extra stress. Make the decision that's right for you mom! You're doing great!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-switch-from-bf-to-exclusively-formula#post-1856952 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 17:10:04 +0000 wheres_c 1856952@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did. I could never keep up with the demand. After about 6 weeks the stress of pumping, trying to boost my supply, etc just got to me and I decided not to stress anymore.<br /> Formula is not evil. Your mental health is more important. If you want to switch, don't let anyone guilt you. If you want to keep up with both, that's ok too - just try not to feel pressured. </p> <p>I continued with mostly formula but some bm until LO was on solids...I stopped letting feedings be all that I thought about and it was much better for me and I could enjoy the limited time I was still BFing.</p> <p>Here's a helpful chart: <a href="http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Amount-and-Schedule-of-Formula-Feedings.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Amount-and-Schedule-of-Formula-Feedings.aspx</a></p> <p>My LO took about 4-6 oz per serving 3ish hours between feedings. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-switch-from-bf-to-exclusively-formula#post-1856938 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 17:01:22 +0000 chibee 1856938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you did, can you tell me the reason why? I'm having a hard time figuring out BF and supplementing and the stress is really getting to me. I think I'm just looking for reassurance if I decide to switch. LO is 3 weeks old and I think about nothing but feeding. </p> <p>Also, can you tell me how much and how often your LO took the formula at 3 weeks? Thanks so much! </p>