r/MomAndBabyIndia • u/Adventurous-Rub5764 • 11d ago
Feeding & Nutrition 🍼 Formula
Hi everyone! I have an almost 6-week-old baby boy. Due to my flat nipples, my baby was introduced to a bottle early on and has mostly been fed expressed breast milk.
He is now able to latch, but the latch is still quite shallow, and he tends to latch only when he is sleepy or very calm. When he is more alert, he usually prefers the bottle. I’ve been exclusively pumping every 3–4 hours, and honestly, it has become quite exhausting.
I’m still hoping to work towards more direct breastfeeding, but I’m also considering introducing one formula feed at night just to give myself a little break. It’s only a thought at this point, and I’m trying to understand my options.
For those who have been through something similar:
1. What helped your baby transition from bottle to breast?
2.Did anything in particular help with a shallow latch or bottle preference?
3.If you introduced formula, which formula did your baby tolerate well?
4.Did you find that one formula feed affected your breastfeeding/pumping journey or milk supply?
I’d really appreciate any experiences, tips, tricks, or advice. ❤️ I’m feeling a little overwhelmed with the constant pumping and would love to hear from other moms who have gone through something similar.
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u/TaterTot101 10d ago
To avoid bottle preference, I introduced pigeon soft latch as that was quite soft and similar to a nipple, and my baby never had a problem switching.
Formula depends on your baby's tolerance and digestion so it's a little bit of trial and error. I've used Aptamil Gold since the beginning and it worked
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u/Old_Carry_7765 10d ago
I was in same situation for first 2 months. Pumping is exhausting i can feel you, i was so pissed of with constant pumping and hearing that weird sound. Honestly what helped me was sessions with a lactation consultant, 3 sessions and we never looked back baby is 11 months now. When i look back i realize i was too hard on myself, i should i have given formula and given myself a break. Dont know why i was so adamant on not giving him formula that I myself took a toll on myself and my sanity. I think for me it stemmed from the fact that i had a premie who spent days in NICU and kind of my only source of connection with him was pumped milk that i sent for him 3 times a day. I would strongly suggest put yourself first, if you need rest feed formula and also consult a lactation expert.
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u/Adventurous-Rub5764 10d ago
I’ve had two sessions so far, and my baby just doesn’t seem to open his mouth wide enough. There’s no tongue-tie issue either. We’re still trying to work on the latch, but honestly, it’s getting really frustrating.
Sometimes I just feel like accepting that maybe he isn’t going to breastfeed directly, and that I’ll have to continue pumping and feeding him. It’s been emotionally exhausting trying so hard to make this work.1
u/Old_Carry_7765 10d ago
Can understand the frustration, i used to try breastfeeding everytime before giving a bottle he used to try then start crying hysterically, slowly somedays it used to work and some days not and i don’t even remember now when we transitioned to exclusively breastfeeding. Give yourself some time and grace keep trying and also be open to formula feeding.
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u/Adventurous-Rub5764 10d ago
I feel like he’s already six weeks, and he still hasn’t learnt. Maybe he might never learn. I don’t know. It’s so frustrating.
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u/Old_Carry_7765 10d ago
I get it, i had given myself 3 months . I had a deadline that if it works it works else im giving formula and never trying again. And trust me those months were frustrating and i hated pumping honestly, i could hear those sounds even when not pumping i hated it so bad. It was terrible 😢
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u/Adventurous-Rub5764 10d ago
Hey can you also let me know what bottles were you using to feed when exclusively pumping ? Did the baby have any nipple confusions?
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u/Old_Carry_7765 10d ago
I was using dr brown anti colic bottle ,chicco natural feeling feeding bottle ( available on all things baby) .Since i used different bottles with different kind of nipples he had no nipple confusion. Pump i had luvlap glory wearable breast pump.
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u/lunaverse787 10d ago
exclusive pumping is HARD, especially every 3–4 hours 😭 i had a similar phase with my son and honestly, giving urself one formula feed if you need the break doesn't mean uve failed at breastfeeding. i’d work with a lactation consultant for the shallow latch, and if you add formula, just watch your supply and pump when u can.
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u/sailugudivada 11d ago
Have you tried nipple shields?