Changing from breatsfeeding to bottle-feeding

Question

i had a baby boy 4 days ago and all thru pregnancy i was sure i wanted to breast feed. as soon as he was born i breast fed him for 2 days but was struggling, due to alot of pain and discomfort. i found myself feeding every 30-45 mins and it wasn't satisfying him at all. the first 2 nights i had no sleep and felt awful. i then made the dicision to try him on a bottle 2 days ago. since i have done this he is more happy and slleps well and has more wet/dirty nappies than he did before. because i breast fed for two days my b*****s are now really heavy, but not uncomfortable! will this just go away or do i need to do something to release the milk? also have i done the right thing for me and baby?

Answer 1

Maybe you just didn't give breastfeeding a good enough try.  Was he latching correctly?  If your b*****s are full of milk, then lack of quantity doesn't sound like a likely problem.  There are these little things you can use - I don't know what they're called.  They're probably rubber or plastic.  You place them on your nipples and your baby sucks through those.  It's supposed to help the baby latch properly.  Ask your doctor about it or look it up on the internet.  That's suggestion #1.

Suggestion #2: Maybe it would just be easier to pump the breastmilk and feed him through a bottle (with the breastmilk) all or most of the time.  That's what my co-worker's wife does.  

Suggestion #3:  Call your doctor or hospital, and tell them your problem.  If you go down there, they'd be happy to teach you how to hold him properly and get him to latch.  Maybe you're holding him a bit funny and don't even know it.  

Suggestion #4:  Watch this video.  Like it says in the description - there's a lot of value in this tiny vid.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQYThWMHg...

Answer 2

If you feel you could give it another go you should try, you didn't give it long enough for the first four days my little boy fed every 45 mins its because the 'milk hasn't come in'. Baby needs to feed often at the start as the more they feed the more milk you make so it needs to build up enough to fill them, depending on the baby this can take a day or two or up to a week. I didn't get any sleep the first few days but then when the milk came in he went for about two hours but over the next week this extended to four hours then it was easy.

Sometimes they'll then go through growth spurts and start feeding more often again but this only last a day or so until you're milk production catches up.

I fed my son for over a year and only stopped because he gradually wasn't interested in me feeding him anymore it was a natural progression for us both.

If him actually feeding hurts he's not latched on right, make sure more of the bottom half of your nipple is in his mouth rather than the top, ask your midwife or health visitor to see him feed and they will correct his position if its not right.

But if you really feel you can't try it again, in the bath use a facecloth as a hot compress and press it gently on your b*****s, a little milk may flow out itself, just keep doing this and gradually they'll go down, DON'T express as this will just mean you'll make more milk to replace it.

If you develop any area's on them that become hot and red see your midwife or GP as it could be mastitis.

I really hope you can give it another go, its still early enough, because it really is so healthy for you and baby.

Good luck xo

Answer 3

I highly recommend you continue purely for the benefits of the antibodies that your baby will benefit from. It is difficult in the beginning and a little frustrating but you'll get it. And some babies don't do as well as others. Some have a stronger sucking reflex than others. I also slept with a towel. My b*****s became engorged with milk ducts that filled up with each feeding. The more you feed, the more milk you produce. And for some women, although not me, it helps to maintain their weight and affects your cycle. You can express the milk if it becomes too painful and put it in the sterilized jars, then the refrigerator. But call the number for your area in the second link to see what they say. The first link will show you pictures and answer pretty much any question you may have. A nurse from the hospital should be able to help you also. Be careful to avoid infections too. Good luck sweetie in whatever you decide.

Answer 4

I am not sure but I think the heaviness will go away. Well there has been proven test that show that breast feed babies are healthier then those that have been feed from non breast milk...  

Answer 5

i had exactly the same problem....probably the baby doesnt latch properly because your breast is full and cannot catch the nipple and get frustrated (he's a newborn and needs time)....i would try nipple shields. you can also pump you milk out and giving to baby by bottle, in this way you see how much he takes, will be easier for you and better for baby because he's taking your milk....dont worry  it will work and will be easier in the next weeks. Another thing you can do is to complete breastfeeding with formula milk.

if you want breastfeed dont give up, i'm giving bottle to my baby and now try to get back to breastfeed at least twice a day!!!

good luck

Answer 6

The engorgement WILL go down, but it will take a while.  I quite breastfeeding for the same reasons at 10 days, and the pain and engorgement lasted until about day 14/15.  One breast went down before the other which made me look like I had a botched-up boob job, but eventually it went down as well.

Wear the tightest bra you can, and make sure to stuff it with breast pads as you will continue to leak milk for quite a while. I am on day 22 and still sleep with a bra on at night because if I don't, I still leak a little bit.

To help with the pain while your milk is drying up, take ibuprofen, and use cold facecloths on your b*****s.  Warm ones feel much nicer but they soften the milk ducts and help the milk flow out easier so avoid using them if you can.  Hand express a bit if you need to in order to ease some of the pain, but don't do this too often and don't let out too much as your b*****s will make the amount you have expressed.  If you only do a bit each day then your body will start to adjust to producing only the amount that you have let out, and it will start to dry up.

While you will still have some milk for a while, the pressure and pain will slowly ease up over the next 3 - 5 days.

As for doing the right thing, of course breast milk is best, but I firmly believe that a well-rested, clear-headed mother is just as important. A bottle fed baby will be just fine, and every single feed you gave your baby from your breast is better than none.  Don't beat yourself up about it -- I did for about 3 days and then when I was able to get an hour's sleep while my husband did the feed, I started to change my mind.  Don't let the 'breast is best' brigade beat you down an make you feel guilty!

Answer 7

I breast fed my son and stopped when he was 5 and a half months. I didn't stop straight away, we gave him 1 or 2 bottles a day and then stopped completely. My breast swelled so much, then they get hard and uncomfortable, to ease some of the pressure on your b*****s express a little now and again so they don't get too full, after a few days the pressure will go and your b*****s wont feel so full. I was lucky as I never experienced any pain with breast feeding but I have a few friends who couldn't breast feed because it caused them too much discomfort. If the pain was really bad then you did make the right decision. Hope this helps

Answer 8

You'll have to express your b*****s as soon as possible or you will get very sore.As suggested you can express the milk into sterilised bottles and feed baby that way.Usually nipples toughen up and the function they're meant for is pleasing to mother and child if you relax while feeding your baby will do the same.If you start the pill milk will stop usually.

Answer 9

I did the same thing with my son.  At first the breast feeding was unbearable because I had a very long and painful labor with no sleep and I tried to breast feed him in the hospital but they were up my a*ss every 5 seconds and making me upset.    Therefor my son was getting upset because he didn't latch up properly and wasn't getting enough in the hospital and I had to beg the nurse to give him formula because I knew that he wasn't getting anything from me or enough.  It took me 2 hours for her to finally say okay about the formula which made me very upset, hes my child and I should make the choice without having to beg.  When we came home he didn't urinate for a day and we called the hospital and sure enough he was dehydrated.  So i fed him formula  for a week or so. I gave breastfeeding another shot when he was about a weeks and a half old, and it worked out great, but I couldn't keep up with the feedings, and I substituted formula a few feedings a day.  Anyhow, when he was six weeks old I decided to be put on BC and stopped breast feeding all together,  For a week I just breastfed him at night and then slowly stopped.  My b*****s only hurt for a day and I pumped a little milk out of them to relieve some of the pain.

People put wayyyyy to much pressure on moms to breast feed, and make it seem like your a horrible person if you don't, which is not the case, you do whats best for YOU and the BABY and its no ones business to make you feel bad about it.

In conclusion of this long winded story, you made the right choice if you both are happier, don't let anyone put you down for not breastfeeding, plenty of children were brought up on formula and are doing just as well as children on breast milk. My son is now almost 3 months and he is doing great on formula just as well as he did on breast milk.  Its your baby your choice and don't let anyone put you down about it.  Good luck with everything and congrats on your baby!

Answer 10

You should not have given up so fast and there is still time to breast feed.  Your b*****s are engorged w/milk and still some colostrum.  It is very difficult to nurse in the beginning but it gets easier.  You just have to stick with it,sore nipples and all.  He will learn how to eat properly and then he will stop when he's had enough.  They feed a lot in the beginning because they are getting your supply up.  Nature teaches.  Your baby actually knows he has a job to do and will breast feed frequently in the beginning all to get your supply built up for the up coming months.  Please give it a chance.  Your baby deserves a chance and deserves the best and that is breastmilk, not that processed formula.  It takes two weeks or more to build a good nursing relationship, so give it time.

Answer 11

This is exactly what I went through with my now 7 month old girl. I persevered for 3 days and it just got too much for us, she was finding it hard to latch on to my breast and she was getting frustrated and seemed constantly hungry, I was trying to feed her every half an hour day and night and I was anxiuos and worried all the time.

In the end I did what I thought was for the best and put her on the bottle, the change in her was unbelievable, all of a sudden she was sleeping for longer periods, she seemed happy and content and I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

My b*****s took about a week to go down, the milk dries up as your b*****s stop producing milk when you stop using them.

If both you and baby are both much happier and you feel comfortable with the decision you have made then stick with it, as long as you're both happy then it dosnt matter whether baby is breast or bottle fed.

I definately know that I made the right choice and I have a beautiful, healthy, thriving baby. Good luck, I hope it works out for you both x

Answer 12

That's what happens when you start to breastfeed, for the first 3 days, your baby will get colostrum milk and then 2 days later, your milk will start to come in and your b*****s will feel really heavy and full!

You need to express them using a breast pump if you are not breatfeeding your baby and feed him the breast milk using a bottle.

That is what I did, but am now happy to breastfeed him most of the time. I found it hard to breastfeed also in the first week but it got easier as the weeks flew by. My son is now nearly 7 weeks and is gaining weight very fast now and is getting the best nutrition in my breastmilk.

Breast feeding is a choice, go with what you feel is best for you and your baby.

Answer 13

Yeah I did the same after 2 weeks. I couldnt carry on breastfeeding as my nipples were bleeding lol! so I had to put my baby onto bottles which I wasn't happy about but had no choice.

It will go away but will feel very uncomfortable or maybe even a bit painful for a little while.

You shouldn't express any milk because you b*****s will just produce more milk to replace it so you'll just have to try and put up with it. It will only last a week or two though and you will probebly have to sleep on a towell for a while!

EDIT: Why the thumbs down?? I haven't forced my opinion on breastfeeding like you all have. Didnt say breastfeeding was bad did I?

Answer 14

first of all, the firtst couple of days of breastfeeding are the hardest. You produce tiny amounts o colostrum so babie feed frequently as described. However, after 3 ish days the full milk comes in which satisfies them for longer and you should get around 4 hours between feeds. The pain you experienced would have been due to poor positioning and attachment. Its important to get that right as it can lead to sore nipples if not done well. Your midwife could have guided you with this.

Now that you have  introduced a bottle with artificial milk, your baby's stomach has been stretched to accomadate the large amount of formular compared to the smaller amounts of breastmilk he would have been receiving. Formula is packed full of 'fillers' to help babies sleep longer thus sleeping better! If you want to go back to breastfeeding you will have to start expressing and stimulating your b*****s to encourage the milk production. You may also find it difficult to get the baby to latch on to the nipple as its harder work than a bottle teat.

Your breast may still become quite full and sore in next day or so. If this happens its vitally important not to stimulate them or try to express off the milk. this will send hormonal messages to your brain that there is a hungry baby at the end of the breast needing milk, and you will make even more! If the do fill up and get hard, it should only last a day or so. Take painkillers and put savoy cabbage in the fridge and when cool, place a leaf in each cup of your bra. Its also important that you have a firm fitting bra for this time.

Finally, breastfeeding is obviously the nutritionally best thing for you and your baby. Im sure you know all the health benefits for you both. However, if you are unhapp breastfeeding its better to stop rather than risk depression and/or resenting your child. Its a balancing act weighing up the benefits and risks of both. Only you can make the decision but dont let anyone else sway you either way. Its your body and your child.

If you do want to try breastfeeding again though it will really have to start today. stimulate your b*****s each time your baby feeds on the bottle to get your supply started.

Either way, good luck

xx

Answer 15

At the end of the day, it's your decision.  But, if it helps - my daughter was also feeding that frequently and mainly at night and my nipples were cracked and sore and even bleeding, but after two weeks, it all sorted itself out - my nipples got much better, she would feed around every 2.5-3 hours and slept much better at night and 11 months on she's still being breastfed.  I'd advise you to keep it up if you can, at least try for a little longer as it DOES get better, but like I say - it's your decision at the end of the day, just telling you how it was for me.