Weaning from EBM to formula-6 month old

[brookenlachie]

My son is now 6 months old and I have been expressing for pretty much all that time (due to a heart condition he was and isn't allowed to breast feed)

I have been trying to wean him to 1 formula feed a day and am having no luck. The most formula he has ever taken has been 40mls, he often then refuses to take anything for the next few feeds.

Expressing every 3-4 hours is not only time consuming, but getter harder and harder the older he gets.

Can anyone please give any advice or tips on how I can get him onto formula. Are there any brands that babies seem to take better, any times of the days that are better for weaning, any help would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks

[Kmn]

Just out of curiosity, now that he is bigger would he be allowed to try breastfeeding? If he could, then that may be your answer.

[brookenlachie]

No he will never be able to breast feed as it uses up far more energy than sucking bottle, particularly at his age.

[Kmn]

You might want to try a cup rather than a bottle, so he's not expecting EBM.
Formula does take longer to digest than breastmilk - so it is not surprising that he then doesn't want to feed for quite some time.

Maybe your best option is to give him 3/4 of his usual ebm bottle and then try the formula for a few feeds? And if the formula doesn't make him unhappy, just not hungry, then I would be using it last feed for the day, when you want him to take longer before needing feeding again.
Hop over to the exclusive expressers thread too - there are people there who can help you both with cutting back pumps without getting sick yourself, and with this.