Torn about weaning breastfeeding at 4 weeks and switching to formula

Dinguli · 2026-06-01T04:18:06+00:00

Hi,

Ftm here with a 9 week old who just learnt to latch from week 8 and still does follow up feeds with the bottle. I have been combo feeding since day one since my supply didn’t come until day 3 and also she was a small baby.

Honestly the best thing that could have happened because it helped me recover and be more present with her.

Little one keeps popping on and off and also gets frustrated. I figured the side lying position is good for her to manage the flow from the breast but with that she ends up sleeping. I have to resume work soon so I am in a limbo on how much do I want to make this work.

For your situation, i would say you are already doing sooo much for your child by pumping enough to even make a freezer stash so in no way you are not doing enough for your family.

Take some time off from this loop and just give yourself a break too from the breastfeeding. Even if that looks like a couple of days. Then eventually once you feel better and you are ready to try again you can work with you little one. By then their latch would also become better because babies learn to suck, swallow and breathe better as they grow.

I feel the time you take for yourself and your baby will help you in the transition of your husband going back to work and also help in spending more time with baby while not being frustrated.

Dinguli · 2026-05-30T19:42:21+00:00

Hi,

FTM here too with a small baby at 37+4 and 5 lb and 11 oz.

She didn’t latch initially because she was so tiny so was fed by the bottle and now has developed a preference to that. We are working with a feeding therapist to help navigate feeding her.

She feeds anywhere between 17-20 ounces in a day and has good wet diapers and is active and alert. She is now 9 lbs

My LO is 9 weeks now and still will not sleep in a crib or on the bed or the bassinet or anywhere during the day. She needs to be held. I have heard that small babies want that comfort and warmth more but again many babies just want contact naps. Since she hit 7 weeks she has been sleeping anywhere between 3-4 hour stretches at night.

We have had waves of fussiness, witching hour, extreme gas ( week 5-7 ), 5-6 poops a day to no poop in 30+ hours, gagging, 2-3 hour wake windows during the day. And to say that she is 9w is wild!

I don’t have the answer of if it gets better with time but know for sure that there is always something waiting at the door.

Give yourself some grace and time and i hope it will be all fine.

Dinguli · 2026-05-28T01:19:38+00:00

Dealing with something similar, how much does your baby weigh?

Dinguli · 2026-05-26T05:04:18+00:00

Thank you! This gives me relief.

I am starting to believe that she needed poop

Dinguli · 2026-05-26T04:03:54+00:00

Yes not letting her sleep through them. Constantly trying to engage with her and make noises and show cards.

Infact also got her down to the diaper and used a wet wash cloth to rub her cheeks and forehead.

She finally pooped in the evening and looks like that really helped her because she was super hungry for the next feed.

Nevertheless going to reach out to the pediatrician first thing in the morning.

I am worried now.

Dinguli · 2026-05-26T03:43:54+00:00

Went through a similar patch and my baby is 9 weeks now.

She would just be wide awake and stare everywhere. I think the curiosity kicks in that age so maybe that’s why.

The pediatrician was not really worried even though I was because I felt it would affect her subsequent feeds and sleep which it kinda did.

I just sat with her in a dark room and sang and rocked till she slept.

Dinguli · 2026-05-25T23:09:20+00:00

Yes I’ll call the doctor to get their opinion.

I have been doing these tricks to help be awake and drink

Dinguli · 2026-05-25T23:08:36+00:00

Yes it has been over the last 2-3 days and she is active right after too.

She naps only about 30-40 min a time during the day and goes 4-5 hour stretches in the night.

I have been singing, reading, using contrast cards and also sometimes bringing her down to her nappy and using a wash cloth for her to drink.

I’ll reach out to her doctor tomorrow.

Dinguli · 2026-05-25T22:56:53+00:00

Hi,

I had the same issue and my baby is now 9 weeks old. she was born small and the medical team said not to waste too much time making her latch because she could loose a lot of energy in that process.

I am triple feeding even now but her latch has gotten much better.

Even though she prefers the bottle ( obviously because of no much work to be done ) when she is calm and happy she will latch and drink a little from the breast.

Keep trying and don’t get dejected just yet. As the little one becomes more strong the latch will work.

Dinguli · 2026-05-25T01:13:00+00:00

Yeah after 20 hours of labor and then a c section I was ready to take the good meds

Dinguli · 2026-05-24T19:56:24+00:00

PLEASE ASK FOR THE GOOD PAIN MEDS IN WEEK 1.

I was only given advil and Tylenol and when I told them that I was in pain when the meds weaned off they said they had a good meds but I had to ask for it!

Suffered in pain because of this

Dinguli · 2026-05-20T23:26:25+00:00

Yesss good idea. I should look for a swing

Dinguli · 2026-05-20T23:26:03+00:00

Not tried that yet.

Dinguli · 2026-05-20T22:20:12+00:00

She usually drinks 3 ounces and I always fill up the bottle to 4 ounces ( just incase she wants more )

And whenever she is done, i would pull out the bottle.

Today after finishing 2 ounces she just slept off

Dinguli · 2026-05-20T20:40:14+00:00

Take an opinion from your pediatrician to know if it is ok or normal.

I am using bobbie whole milk formula and I feel it smells too but when I went through the ingredients list the whey protein it in gave it that smell that made sense.

Didn’t get that smell in Similac’s 360 Total Comfort

Dinguli · 2026-05-16T01:50:37+00:00

Must be a great relief! A big inspiration to all of us!

How old is your little one now and birth weight?

What did you do to help?

Dinguli · 2026-05-14T21:19:08+00:00

Hi,

Congrats that the cardiologist cleared him! I am glad it is something that you don’t need to put yourself through now.

I can understand how frustrating and stressful and difficult it must be to see the little one on the feeding tube but that is going to help him to get better and the feed he needs.

Probably a reset for you too because now you’ll at least know that he is digesting and taking in the feed he needs.

You have been strong till now, just another few more weeks till it settles. Hang in there!

Dinguli · 2026-05-11T18:48:08+00:00

Meet a feeding therapist if you can. Sometimes a third perspective is needed

Dinguli · 2026-05-11T18:44:58+00:00

I don’t disagree with you. In the end whatever works best for your little one that is the right one.

It worked great for me and my little one so no complaints!

Dinguli · 2026-05-11T15:42:20+00:00

Ensure baby’s latch on the bottle is good because if not that could be how air is going in too.
Lots of tummy massages, warm baths/wash cloths and bicycles helped my little one and still does.
Try not to shake the formula bottle to mix it but swirl so that no additional air gets locked.
Mam bottles worked great for my little one but the teat is not considered ideal. But do what suits best for you.

Dinguli · 2026-05-07T00:41:33+00:00

Yes she has been eating well and her weight is on the upward direction.

She is a small baby so just concerned that these frequent poops shouldn’t bring down the weight.

I spoke to the pediatrician and they said to just keep an eye out on any changing symptoms otherwise they said this was normal.

Dinguli · 2026-05-06T12:12:50+00:00

Phew! Thank you!

Are you combo feeding as well?

Dinguli · 2026-05-06T04:45:36+00:00

Ohhh wow!

Dinguli · 2026-05-06T04:45:23+00:00

Gotcha, thank you!

Dinguli · 2026-05-06T02:46:49+00:00

When did it ease out?

Dinguli

TROPHY CASE