Weaning a Breast Fed Baby to Formula and a Bottle

We got my daughter to start taking a bottle and formula at about that age by making her cereal with formula and since she loved eating off the spoon, she got used to the taste of the formula. Then we eventually got used to taking it in the bottle (but it had to be really warm- a bit of a pain when out but at least I could leave the house without her). Good luck!

You should try pumping and putting it in a bottle. Than slowly add formula (if u have to)

We had to do this at 11 weeks with our daughter so I could start taking chemo.

She had no problems taking to it honestly. I think if they're not given the option, they'll quickly adapt. Formula and breastmilk apparently do taste much different (never brought myself to taste), but some of the recommendations I've heard are to mix in quantities of varying ratios heavier on the breastmilk:formula initially then heavier on formula:breastmilk.

Different formulas have different tastes, so you may have to try a few before you find the one that's best.

Call your pediatrician - they may have samples/coupons and may also have suggestions on how to make it easier. Also, I'd get their advice on which brand they prefer. Our pediatrician's only comment was that he could guarantee the claims of the name brands because they've invested in the clinical research to back-up their claims and have the studies to support them. Generic products do not, and though the ingredients may be in the same order, they may not be in the same quantities making each slightly different.

In the end, we opted for Kirkland's formula because of price and our daughter consistently being in the 90%+.

Good luck.

Try the playtex nurser with the slow flow latex (brown nipple). It is most like the breast. We had to work backwards to get my son from the bottle to the breast (he was a preemie) and those were what did the trick to transition from the hospital bottles to me.

Don't be surprised if she doesn't care for the formula. It is nothing like the sweet breast milk that she is used to.

You don't say why but do you have to wean? Or a you just ready? There are lots of reasons why moms think they have to wean and there are solutions sometimes. But either way she at least had 5 months of the best!

Try leaving the house during feeding times. If you are trying to give her a bottle but she knows you have the real goods....she's most likely won't take the bottle. I tried the Nursin Smart Silicone bottles because they are really natural feeling and the nipple is flexible enough to pull at like a real nipple. But honestly, it's going to come down to her. You may have to go throw several different brands of bottles before she decides which one she likes. It may even come down to a several hour showdown of her crying long enough before she realizes she could just take the bottle and be content. Good luck!

I just recently started offering formula to my breastfed baby (I have always pumped and offered her breast milk in a bottle--so she takes a bottle no problem). She did not like the formula at first and refused to take it but I kept offering it to her and would not give in and breastfeed her. Sooner or later she took it because she was hungry. I went back to work and am still pumping but needed to give her 1-2 bottles of formula a day because I wasn't sure if I would be able to pump enough for her entire supply. She still doesn't care too much for the formula but she will reluctantly drink it.

Try a sippy cup. She's old enough and for some nursing babies it's less confusing because it is nothing like the breast. I had success with the (already suggested approach) starting with all breast milk, gradually increasing the percentage of formula over time. I, too, used Goodstart. If you can at least partially breast feed daily until your baby is one year old that would be a good thing. Regardless, Good Luck.

try warming the formula using a bottle warmer. my daughter did he same thing but LOVES it warm!

My son started formula later transitioning when he was 9-10 months old. Carnation Good Start was the only formula he'd take. I've heard that it tends to "taste" the best to babies when transitioning later to formula. Best wishes!

Try having someone other than you give her the bottle. She can smell your breastmilk and would rather have that. That worked for my 6 month old when I weaned. Good luck

it would be helpful to know why you are weaning. maybe we can help you continue? it is going to be hard to do because breastmilk tastes delicious to baby and formula is bland, and smells. Now i knew someone that had to for health reason, she had to do it cold turkey, which was hard for all but eventually baby was starving and took it. I would mix 1 ounce with the rest breastmilk and slowly add more formula until its mostly formula...also i would first get breastmilk in a bottle to get baby to take a bottle and make sure its someone else that gives baby bottle. its not going to work if its coming from you. he knows you have the goods! but please let us know what is wrong maybe we can help you continur to nurse! baby will start eating food soon so les milk will be needed from you

My son weaned himself at about 11 months. Do you need to wean her this early? If so, try platex slow flow nipples and enfamil formula...it smells the least