Not sure whether this is the right place for my question but I will ask anyways......
I am currently weaning DS2 off the boob and onto formula cause my hormones are all out of wack and creating some major drama's with my body.
How do I go about weaning him off?? At the moment he is having every second feed from the boob. Is this best or do I just go cold turkey and cut him off altogether?? If I continue the way I am going, when do I start making it every third feed and so on??
He settles alot better and easier on the formula so I don't feel as guilty as what I thought I would. I am currently trying the Bellamy Organic on him and it hasn't constipated him as yet but I don't think it will till he is completely on the formula.
Hmm, I guess it depends on how quickly you want to wean.
I wouldn't recommend going cold turkey, it won't be good for your boobs for starters
I think the usual recommendation is to drop a feed per week, but if you're wanting to do it in a hurry maybe once every few days?
Sorry I can't be of much more help, hopefully one of the b'feeding guru's will be in soon to help you out!
Generally it is best to cut out one feed per week (or if you feel you need to do it more quickly, 1 feed every 3 days or so) and replace with formula. This gives your body the chance to gradually downregulate and stop making milk. Right now you are probably in full milk making mode - to stop abruptly will put you at risk of mastitis. Stopping gradually also allows you to assess more fully how your baby copes as more formula is introduced to his diet. Be aware, also, that the amount of formula on the side of the can is quite large - this may mean your baby goes longer between feeds, and you may find that your breasts become uncomfortably full. If they are, express a little off to keep them comfortable and prevent engorgement.
I wonder, have you sought medical advice about this? It is easy to think that breastfeeding + "hormones all over the place" (It isn't clear what your symptoms are) = stop breastfeeding and all will be back to normal. That isn't always the case, and breastfeeding is important - and shouldn't be sacrificed if it won't fix the problem anyway.
Thanks Barb. Yeah I have seen several infectious diseases specialist cause I am constantly getting boils on my body. Done dozens of tests and everything and this is what they are putting it down too cause they started when I was 5 weeks pregnant and I have had at least 4 per week come up since then.
If anyone else knows anything about it and how I can avoid giving up BF'ing then I would love to hear it but unfortunately this is what I have been told to do.
This is a very painful and dificult problem. It must be frustrating going through so many tests and not being able to get to the bottom of this problem. I wonder, how did the specialist believe ceasing breastfeeding would solve the problem? I found this interesting article. Boils and carbuncles: Risk factors - MayoClinic.com
Generally, when pregnant women are slightly immuno-supressed. It is a common myth, even in the medical field that "breastfeeding takes it out of you" In fact this is not the case, and formula feeding mothers are often more fatigued than bottle feeding mothers, and have more demands on their body (menstruation returns) A breastfeeding woman's body uses nutrients very efficiently to produce milk for her baby, and provides hormones that help the mother rest.
I wonder if you have eczema, or any other of the risk factors mentioned? Have your doctors discussed ways of supporting your immune system?
Let us know how you go - it's a difficult problem.
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What is the best way to do this??
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