How to transition from breastmilk to formula

[Kirstenjohnson0529]

My DD2 is a month old and we need to transition her (for multiple, personal reasons) from breastfeeding to formula. I was hoping to hear some experiences with switching. What is the best way, cold turkey or gradual? If gradual exactly how and what percentage of each? How long does it take to transition? Did your babies transition well?

[*Ali*]

Hopefully some mummies with btdt experience will post but also have a look at our weaning FAQ for the various approaches you can consider. Weaning

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

I switched to formula from bf with all three kids but very very gradually, as in with DD3 she had her first bottle of formula at 5 monthsand we did not stop bf for 5 more months or so! If I was doing it on a faster time scale I don't think I would mix bm and formula unless baby refused the formula (my kids really had no problem with either) and replace a feed at a time. It would be gentler on your body that way too. Is there a certain timeframe you need to be done by? I am pretty sure my kids would have been totally fine with cold turkey but yikes that would have left me sore and was not really my goal yk?

[Martini~]

I was switching F around 5mo also but was extensively pumping till around 6mo. We did it in phases one bottle per couple of days (4-7). He never had any problems, he liked formula, I didn't have to mix BM and formula in a one bottle to encourage him to drink it. He go his first bottle at around 3wo but only with BM. From then he was having a bottle with expressed milk occasionally during day and from 3mo for every DF.

If you have any specific question, please ask!