I successfully went Cold Turkey from breast to bottle

[* Paula *]

Good luck, keep us posted.

We are here if you need any advice or encourangement.

Paula

[sugarbooger]

I always knew I would go back to work before she was a year old.  I never gave a bottle in the begining because i wanted complete control over her feeding (I have a very overbearing mother-in-law and a not so helpful husband).  I tried to give a bottle over these last three months without success.  Yesterday when i decided to start weaning today I thought it would be a battle and a hunger strike right from the begining.  My daughter surprised me and took the bottle like she was an old pro twice this morning.  She only drank an ounce each time but it is better then nothing.  I hope it continues to go this easy all day...

[* Paula *]

That is great news - It is a start.

Well done.

Pick a feed that you are considering weaning and make sure you offer the bottle at that particular time.  If she only takes an oz, give her a few minutes break and then try again.

Keep us posted on how you get on.

Paula

[sugarbooger]

My DD will take a bottle now it's amazing i don't know how to explain how shocked and surprised I am that it was so easy.  Thank you for this post it has been a life saver I loved breastfeeding but I am happy to finally have the flexibility to do both.

[* Paula *]

That is fantastic news, I am so pleased that your DD has taken to the bottle so well.

Enjoy the flexibility 

[JenK]

I'm going Cold Turkey today - you all inspired me after a week of offering a bit of EBM before nursing, the LO was smart enough to know that the breast was coming so didn't feel he needed to bother with the bottle.  So I set today aside as the Day, and started with EBM for the first bottle, half EBM and half formula for the second, and straight formula for the third.  I want to keep nursing, but I want to give him one bottle of formula per day, probably at the DF.  So I've been pumping and dumping, and offering only the bottle all day.
Just a question - LO took the bottle no problem on the 4th feed, but barely drank 2oz and then was done.  This is what he used to do a couple of months ago when I was trying to give the bottle, and partly why I stopped - he just would never drink very much and it wouldn't last him very long.  Has this happened to anyone else?  Will he eventually take more in one sitting?  I'm using slow-flow nipples - he seems to gulp too much air with the fast-flow.  Any advice?

[rachgarden]

Have been reading posts with much interest as we are currently going "cold turkey" with bf. We were getting worried when she didn't have anything all day but then, at seven o'clock, after her bath, suddenly took the bottle from dad and guzzled down 4 ozs without a murmur. She woke up a couple of times during the night and took a few more ozs each time. "Brilliant! We've cracked it" we thought and planned to give more bottles the following day before going to breast/ bottle on the third. Unfortunately Harriet (3.5 months) did exactly the same thing on the second day- refusing the bottle until the evening. We are now on day three and she is still refusing the bottle during the day- who knows what night will bring! Haven't gone back to bf as she obviously stills needs a little more convincing but not sure how long we should carry on. She isn't as tearful as we expected but she is taking more catnaps and seems quieter than usual. I'm aware babies out there are taking even less than she is but would be happier if she would take just a little bit during the day.

[ktmartell]

I have a 4 and a half month old daughter and she has been exclusively breastfed. I am introducing a bottle so that I can work very very part time, etc. I want to alternate between breast and bottle at my choosing. I've been following Tracey's method since yesterday morning, and after much time and resistance at each feeding she will accept a bottle. She has had 6 bottles in the last 16 hours and no nursing, the last 2 bottles being about 5 ounces each of formula. When is this considered a success? I want to be able to nurse her and give her at least 1 bottle a day to keep up the bottle feeding. How will I know I can do this, when she accepts the bottle with glee?

[JenK]

I'm not sure they will EVER accept it with "glee" when there is a breast to be had.     I only gave it 24 hours and then started nursing again, assuming that he would then take the bottle in the evening no problem - BIG problem...but our LO seems to be an all-or-nothing kind of guy.  If he was only on the bottle he was fine with it, and same with BF, but he refused to switch back and forth.  I think that her taking 5oz from the bottle is great, I would maybe keep it up one more day just to establish it and then return to nursing her with one bottle per day.  Tracy said 24 hours was enough unless you had a particularly stubborn baby, and then you should give it 48 hours.
Good luck!

[moglet]

hi
i have been trying to get my EBF 81/2 month DS to take a bottle for the past month or so, and he will take maybe 2 oz of formula from a sippy cup when we are out, and mouthfuls with food, but will not replace a BF. he's currently on 4 BF's (one at night) and 3 solids a day. i 'm going back to work in 2 1/2 months, and also need to sort out his napping (will only go to sleep being held) and figured i would sort out the feeding before the sleep as the sleep would just be disrupted again by going to formula.
anyway, after reading through the posts, we are on day 1 of going cold turkey - gave him BF when he woke at 4 this morning (having slept for 8 hours - a record!) and have been offering sippy cup with formula all day. he ate a small breakfast, and hardly any lunch. he took about 4 oz at 11.30/lunch (picked the sippy cup up off the coffee table and started drinking) and has had maybe 2 oz this afternoon. i've not been giving him water, cos he will just guzzle that down. doesn't seem to make a difference whether it's me or DH with the cup.
i'm determined to keep on with this for tomorrow as well (48 hours) but am a little worried about dehydration. i'd like to BF morning and night when this all settles down...........

[* Paula *]

I would definitely keep the BF in the morning and night, even while trying to wean, as then at least you know he is getting two good feeds, and just stick with the sippy cup throughout the day.

Sounds like he is doing well.

keep us posted.

[moglet]

well, i did 48 hour without giving him a BF! yesterday was much better - he ended up having about 22 oz over the 24 hours (including 6 oz at 4.30 in the morning this morning). gave him a BF this morning, and will BF again tonight, but have decided that formula only during the day, and for any nighttime feeds (which will hopefully knock them on the head). he took 3 1/2 oz of formula this morning, the big test will be his after lunch drink.....
and his sleeping has gone completely to pot, but you can't win them all! i'll sort that out when the feeding is settled down, probably in a couple of weeks.

[* Paula *]

That is great news, sounds like he is doing really well.  Keep us posted on how things go.

I do know that naps can go to pot a bit, as it does throw them off a bit, but am sure things will get back on track soon.

[Jennerific]

i'm gearing up to wean to bottle next week & have a question: i know they won't starve to death b/c we'll still be offering solids (DS is 8 months today) but what about dehydration??

[lilmonkey]

YOu can give him water in a sippy cup or open cup.  Good luck with the transition.