did you swap to FF from BF at 6mo?

[choolie]

I always planned to do so, now at 5.5m am not so sure. Was going to carry on as it's been going so well, but we've finally managed to get DS to take a btl of EBM, which he did quite happily, and now I'm wondering whether to swap to formula as he weans.

Apart from anything else, I'm looking forward to underwired bras, a glass of champagne to celebrate his birth, and being able to go out for more than an hour, without constantly checking my watch incase he wakes up and wants a feed.

however, I worry I'm going to miss it so much, I really enjoy our cosy feeds, but I know I wouldn't feed past 1yr, so wonder whether to gradually start the change now.

did you change and regret it anybody? did it make life easier or more difficult? be grateful to hear about anybody's experience. TIA.

[beansprout]

The first 6 months are by far the hardest. Once they start to wean, the number of feeds will drop. How about substituting some of the feeds and still keeping others, e.g. bedtime?

[Jackstini]

Nope - moved more onto ebm so I could enjoy lots of the things you mention occasionally but really did not feel ready to stop (or fell dd was ready either) at 6 mo. I didn't think i would get past 6 months, then a year but am still feeding at 1.4! Albeit 5 mins first thing am and 15 mins last thing before bed. Switched over to cows milk at 12 months for feeds when I am not there as my expressing went downhill once we were down to 2 small feeds a day
You will find once ds starts on solids the bf-ing reduces and becomes much more manageable anyway. You have done really well so far - would be more hassle to start faffing with formula imho.
Good luck

[NineUnlikelyTales]

At 5.5m you can definitely enjoy a glass of champagne without worrying about it affecting your DS and it won't be long before you can go out for more than an hour without him. In fact you could do this now if he is happy to take EBM or even the odd FF if you find this a bind.

Underwired bras - I completely understand where you are coming from! I have worn them for special occasions since DS was 6m and now at 11m I wear one if my ordinary daytime outfit suits it better, and have done for a while now.

It's up to you to do whatever you think best but there are some ways round your frustrations and it does seem a shame if you are both enjoying it. The benefits of BF don't end at 6m and the hassle of FF is just the same

[Trinityrhino]

no reason not to drink whilst bf and you can express lots so you can go out without watching the clock
well done for getting this far

[MrsBadger]

(just in case, fantabulous underwired nursing bra)

[Lorayn]

I started going out when DS was around 3months old, and fed EBM whenever needed. I had decided to stop feeding when he got his first tooth but he never bit me, and I loved it so much that I idnt stop until he was eight months and had teeth on both the top and bottom and bit me incredibly hard, every time. A month or two later though I'd hold him and wish I was still feeding

[choolie]

thanks for taking time to reply! I think you've all convinced me

that u/w bra looks fab thanks for the link, unfortunately at ff - h cup depending on make, not many go up to my size (so that's why that one is in there, as i can't wait to stop looking so droopy ha, will our bubs ever know what we lovingly go through for them?!)

[moondog]

No
No way was I giving a second rate product to my kid.
Oh,and had drunk plenty of wine by that stage and was soon back in underwired bras.Returned to work at 8 mths and carried on b/feeding until baby was 2 1/2 years.She didn't need b/milk or any other milk in the day at that stage.


Beansprout is right-once they are onto real food it is much easier to be more independent.

[wordgirl]

I did with all three of mine and now I wish I hadn't. DS3 is 8 now so this is a long time ago and obviously before I discovered MN. I had no real reason to stop but I just thought that was what you did iyswim. Now I know better of course!

[Habbibu]

Toyed with shifting lately (9 months), BUT - she doesn't really like it; it's an enormous faff to prepare and it stinks. So no. She gets EBM out of a cup, an afternoon and evening feed now (evening feed very long still, despite her eating for Scotland). Am glad, as it's an enforced sit down and cuddle, and when she was ill lately with a virus, it was easy to just give her a couple more feeds to make her feel better