Babies eat a lot of food. Lots and lots. They’re up at all hours of the night demanding milk, and it can be hard to keep up with that schedule.
To make things easier, lots of mums like to include formula feeding to ensure their bub is getting the nutrients they need.
Transitioning from breastfeeding to formula isn’t always easy. Babies have lots of opinions about their food, bottles and feeding times. But formula is nutritious and can help with weaning and returning to work down the line.
With a bit of persistence, our tips on how to transition from breastfeeding to formula can help you adjust to the change!
Key Points
- It’s safe to transition your baby from breastfeeding to formula at any age
- For mixed feeding, wait until your baby 6-8 weeks old before you introduce formula if possible
- You can gradually introduce formula into bub’s diet to ease the transition
- Many mums use formula to help with weaning, going back to work, or leaving your baby with other people
- The Australian Breastfeeding Association offers free support for all your breastfeeding questions
How to Stop Breastfeeding and Switch to Formula
1. Slowly Replace Feeding Sessions
The best way to transition from breastfeeding to formula is to take your time. Over the course of 2-4 weeks, slowly reduce the number of breastfeeding sessions and increase the number of formula feedings.
Start by replacing one breastfeeding session per day with a bottle of formula. Choose a meal that your baby won’t miss if they refuse the bottle (which they might while they get used to the change).
Replacing a mid-afternoon feeding is a great place to start. The feeding right before bedtime is usually the last one to go when transitioning to formula or weaning your baby.
2. Introduce Bottle Feeding Early
Some babies dislike feeding from bottles. Introducing bottles early on is a good way to get your baby used to the difference.
One common strategy is to fill bottles with pumped breast milk. That helps your baby get used to the bottle while also encouraging your body to continue producing milk.
This is a good idea if other people need to feed your baby. They can use expressed breast milk in a bottle without interrupting bub’s feeding schedule.
3. Offer the Bottle Before the Breast
It takes time for babies to get used to the transition to formula. One of the things babies struggle with is feeding from a bottle.
There will probably be times when your baby outright refuses the bottle. But don’t let that discourage you. You can breastfeed your baby if you really need to, but you should always offer the bottle of formula as the first option.
4. Experiment with Different Bottles
Babies can be fussy! They’re used to breastfeeding, so having the unfamiliar feel of a bottle can be a big change. If your baby won’t take a bottle (even when it’s filled with breast milk) it might be time to try a different shape, size or nipple.
There are all sorts of bottles on the market. Bottle nipples also come in a huge range of shapes, sizes and flow rates. Try out a few different bottles until you find one that your baby likes. Choose a nipple that matches your baby’s age, but don’t be afraid to experiment with different types if they’re being fussy.
5. Hand Express Milk When You Need To
Transitioning your baby from breastfeeding to formula comes with changes to your body too.
The less your baby feeds, the less milk your body will produce. That transition isn’t always straightforward. As your body adjusts, it’s common to produce more milk than you need. You can deal with this by hand expressing excess milk.
Try to limit the amount of pumping you do when switching to bottles. Instead, hand express milk until your breasts feel comfortable again (don’t empty them completely). This will prevent mastitis without encouraging your body to produce more breast milk than it needs to.
6. Try Mixed Feeding
Lastly, breastfeeding doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing! Even if your bub is happy with formula, that doesn’t mean you need to cut out breastfeeding entirely. It’s totally okay to blend breastfeeding with formula feeding and solid foods.
This is actually a great strategy for times when you need to leave your baby in someone else’s care. By encouraging your little one to eat more types of food, you’re making it easier for other people to keep them happy and fed when you’re separated.
If you’re going to use combination feeding, try to keep meal times consistent. For example, formula in the morning, solid foods for lunch, and then a breastfeeding session at night. Consistency is good for your baby, and it will prevent your body from overproducing breast milk.
When Can I Transition My Baby to Formula?
Doctors recommend that babies are exclusively breastfed until they’re 6 months old. If you are choosing not to breastfeed, it’s okay to transition to formula or mixed feeding at any time in your baby’s life. Modern formulas based on cow’s milk are suitable from 0-12 months.
If you plan to breastfeed and supplement with formula, you should wait until your baby is 6-8 weeks old to help your body establish a feeding routine and produce a consistent supply of milk.
Why Choose to Stop Breastfeeding?
Mums opt for formula feeding or mixed feeding for lots of reasons, including:
- Supplementing your baby’s diet and nutrition
- Supplementing your breast milk supply
- Making feeding times more consistent
- Getting your baby used to bottle feeding
- Helping other people feed your baby when you’re separated
- Helping the transition into daycare
- Weaning your baby off breast milk
There are no right or wrong answers when it comes to formula feeding. You can use formula to supplement breastfeeding, or you can go for formula feeding exclusively. What you decide depends on you, your baby and your body!
Signs Your Baby is Ready to Wean
Formula feeding can be a huge help when your baby is ready to wean. As they switch to solid foods, you can begin substituting formula for breast milk to help your body and baby adjust to the change.
Babies generally begin weaning at 6 months old. At this age, it’s safe to introduce solid foods while you continue breast or formula feeding
Here are some of the signs your baby is ready to wean:
- They stop poking their tongue out when feeding or asking to feed
- They can hold their head up on their own
- They like to watch you eat
- They take an interest in trying the foods you’re eating (e.g. by gesturing or making sounds)
- They imitate eating and chewing
Weaning is a gradual process. It starts by offering your baby solid foods after formula or breastfeeding. As they learn to eat solids, you can replace milk feedings one at a time.
If you’re weaning because your baby is going to daycare or you’re headed back to work, it’s a good idea to substitute some of your breastfeeding for formula feedings as part of the process.
Support for Mums Needing Help With Breastfeeding and Weaning
Breastfeeding and weaning is a challenge for lots of mums. You can talk to your GP if you’re ever concerned about the amount your baby is eating, or if you need tips on formula or breastfeeding.
You can also access free help through the Australian Breastfeeding Association:
Get Ready for Your Nursing Journey with Mad House Mums!
Formula feeding is a big part of most nursing journeys. Introducing formula into your baby’s diet is a great way to supplement their nutrition and ease the transition when you need to spend time apart.
There are lots of ways you can ease the transition for your baby, but the best thing you can do is to make sure you’re comfortable! Staying comfortable is a big part of breastfeeding. When you’re comfortable, your baby is comfortable, and that’s good news when you’re trying to introduce new foods.
At Mad House Mums, we specialise in making sure breastfeeding mums are comfy!
We’ve got a huge range of mum-designed breastfeeding clothing that makes breastfeeding an enjoyable experience. Our collection is perfect for late night nursing, bottle feeds, solid foods and everything in between.
You can check out our products online at any time, or chat with our team if you have any questions!