need a plan for breast to bottle

[71newmom]

My son is 7 months. After EBF to 6 months, I have been getting him to take a bottle recently. However, he will only take 2-3 oz at a time, even when he is really hungry. Then he is done, either he falls asleep on the bottle, or he stops and just wants to play. This has been going on for a month or so - I then have to finish him off with the breast. After many problems breastfeeding - chronic plugged ducts, mastitis, low supply....I am ready to go to the bottle 100%. Problem is, I'm not sure how to do this because obviously the most important thing is that he continues to get enough calories - especially because he really has had no interest in solids yet.
Please reply if you have ideas on the bottle or weaning, as I am sure that I want to be done nursing. I nursed my oldest for almost 2 years, but this time around I need for the nursing relationship to end, for my own sanity. I have exhausted all resources of lactation, dr. visits, other support. In my head I'm done. Just need a plan...thanks!

[LadyCatherine185]

I don't have any advice on weaning, just wanted to say that taking 2-3 oz's at a time is very normal. Most BF'ed babies want to drink smaller amounts more often.

[texmati]

I don't have any advice on weaning either (have not btdt)-- I just wanted to say that it is normal for a BF baby not to take more than 3-4 ounces.

Are you giving him formula, or pumped milk? The change in taste might also be a problem. Also, for my DS, he hated solids until about 8 months old, and then started eating like his dad!

You might try offering 'fun' solids when he is hungry; (applesauce, banana's, mango), and then follow up with formula. That may make him nurse a little less. I'd wean slowly for both your and his comfort.

[MommatoAandA]

I had to wean my youngest at 6 months. She had been EBF and never had a bottle of any kind. I did try to offer them before but she wouldn't take them. Unfortunately, she would not take Breastmilk from a bottle. I think she just associated it with me and my breasts. So we started formula. She went 6 hours without eating and finally took the formula (she never cried she was just not going to eat from a bottle until she knew she HAD to). After she was established on the bottle I tried to pump and add small amounts of breastmilk at a time, but my milk quickly dried.

I think each baby is different. Mine is very easy going and once she was on the bottle was in her pack and play sleeping through the night on 4 oz feedings. 4 oz is totally normal for a 6 month old baby who is having breastmilk. They tend to eat more often as breastmilk is more easily digested. So I would give him a bottle and let him have as much as he wants. He will eventually work his way up to larger amounts if he needs it. Right now, A, is taking 6-8 oz at a time and sometimes twice that before bed. She is 11 months old.

ETA- I did cold turkey take her off the breast (not my choice, after 24 hours on the bottle she didn't want me anymore). I did try and pump, but it isn't the same in terms of keeping up a supply. Cold turkey was PAINFUL for me. It wasn't fun. But my DD didn't seem to mind all that much.

[71newmom]

thanks ladies! I guess I was expecting him to be taking 6-8 ounces, like all of "the books" say....but as far as nursing, he does nurse frequently and get smaller amounts, so this makes sense. I've done both formula and breast milk in the bottle.
I feel better knowing that when weaning, it's ok for him to only have 3-4 ounces - I'm just so paranoid about his weight, because I've had low milk supply and he went from 80th percentile at 2 months old, down to 40% at 6 months. I've tried everything with solids and he just doesn't want that spoon near him (or my finger). He will pick up little pieces of bread or a cracker and gum it, but he doesn't get much since most of ends up as mush on his bib or on the floor. Tried bananas and avocado too, both in and out of the mesh feeders. I just have to be patient and hope he comes around I guess

[cileag]

When in doubt, I always check out the Kellymom site:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html

This is a neat calculator that looks at how often you normally feed and then gives average amounts of breastmilk kids eat and then you just divide and TA-DA, you have at least a little something to aim for. My 8 month daughter takes anywhere from 2-5 ounces of breastmilk from a bottle now, but at 6 months, was only taking 2-3, but eating about every 2-3 hours.

[Pookietooth]

If he has tongue tie, which he probably has given your situation, it might be the bottle flow is too slow for his weak suck. Have you tried different nipples?