Feeling weird about formula

[BonaDea]

Please be gentle. I am not disparaging ff'ing in any way.

DS is 9 months old and ebf to date. I go back to work in 2 months and want to try to make the whole thing as gentle and unstressful for all concerned so want to try to get DS used to formula. I want to keep bf'ing morning and evening when I go back.

Anyway, today I gave him a bottle of formula. He wolfed it down. I was relieved and happy initially as we've had issues with him refusing a bottle and a little part of me is pleased that maybe it doesn't all have to come down to me.

The rest of me feels guilty for feeling relieved, funny about him drinking this stuff when before he's only had my milk or water, I suppose sad that my little baby is maybe not so little any more.

Gawd, I sound pathetic. Will I feel better about it tomorrow?

[Dentistmummy]

I went back to work when DS was 6 months (just 2 days a week) and DS refused formula from a bottle, so I just fed him morning/evening/through the night, and he had a bit of expressed milk/food/water on those 2 days.
When he finally did take formula at 9 months I was really upset too. Me feeding him was our 'thing' and I didn't like the thought of him having factory made formula, completely irrational as its not poison, but that is how I felt. So I see where you're coming from.

[BonaDea]

Thanks. Glad it isn't just me to feel like this!

[Laquila]

I'm sure you've considered this but what about expressing milk for him to have during the day? I can completely understand your reservations about formula - I felt emotional the first time I gave my baby Infacol, for God's sake! I'm going to express when I go back at around 9 months.

[BonaDea]

Good point and if I has shorter working days or was going back part time is definitely consider expressing. But I don't find it particularly easy and just can't imagine doing it at work so I think I probably have to admit defeat on that front...

[EmpireBiscuit]

So, he'll be 11 months when you rtw? If I've read that correctly I wouldn't introduce formula if you can avoid it. It would be best to express and move swiftly to cows milk during the day as soon as you feel comfortable.

[ThursdayLast]

I totally understand how you feel. My DS this 8.5mo and we have recently started mix feeding, simply because I couldn't express enough to make the bottle DP gives him in the evening.
I feel guilty because I think, I'm only giving him formula because I can't be arsed to pump twice a day everyday anymore.
And then I remember that plenty of babies thrive ff, and that I'm being lucky to have the option (and my DP!)

[lilyaldrin]

Agree with Empire - no need for formula at 11 months if you are still feeding morning and night. I wouldn't introduce bottles at that stage either as they are ideally off them by 12 months anyway, a beaker of cow's milk and a snack will be fine in the day.

[leedy]

Yes, he may be absolutely fine without formula or expressed milk if you're not back til 11 months - a lot of babies at that age just tank up on solids during the day and have big feeds before and after work. Both mine had some milk (EBM) in nursery when I went back to work around that age but only about 4 or 5oz and it wasn't/isn't always all drunk.

If baby does end up having some formula, why not think of it as a perfectly nutritious complementary food to your breastmilk rather than it replacing it - like the other solids and water he's having.

[DeckTheHallsWithBoughsOfHorry]

I rtw at 11m. DS1 had an afternoon ff for a few months at nursery not because he needed it precisely, but because all the other babies in his room had one.

At that age it's just another food, one that happens to be very runny. That's the way to think about it.

[OrangeMochaFrappucino]

I returned to work when Dr was 8.5 months. He wouldn't drink anything from a bottle, cup or spoon bar the very occasional sip of water. Ebm or formula were an absolute no-no, he wouldn't have it. He was fine just bfing morning and night (plus a few extra day time feeds on my days off). I definitely wouldn't bother trying formula at 11 months, I would think he will be fine without milk whilst you are at work.