I need help... weaning bf/formula question - long

I've been trying to wean DD very slowly to formula. It's been about 3 weeks now. I nurse her all night and try to give formula during the day. We started out okay, but then she started fussing and fighting the bottle. Since she's very, very gassy, the ped had me switch her from Similac Advance to Enfamil Lacto Free bc she thinks DD is lactose inolerant.

After about a week of 2 bottles a day I bumped her up to 3, and she started screaming and fighting the last bottle. It would take an hour for her to take 3 ounces. Each time I'd manage to get a really nasty burp out of her and she'd go back to the bottle and we were okay.

Finally it was just a mess - screaming nonstop throughout the entire thing. I switched her bottles after that thinking that maybe wide neck bottles would be better. She liked those but then we had the same problems with the screaming again. So I switched her to soy formula and she took it down like an angel. No fuss, no crying, no screaming. Until the second day (yesterday). Now we're right back where we started - full on screaming, turning red, holding her breath I can't handle it when she does that so I nurse her because that's all she wants.

The problem is that my daytime supply has decreased since I haven't really been nursing her during the day for the last few weeks and I go back to work in a month and I don't really think I'll have the time to pump several times a day. I don't know what to do. I just can't listen to my baby cry like that.

Any suggestions? tips? hugs? Thanks for reading.

Re: I need help... weaning bf/formula question - long

I'm going through this with my dd. She'll be 4 months next week and at 2 months, we just gave up with the bottle. But now we have weddings and things coming up so she NEEDS to take a bottle. My DH gave her a bottle last night. I bought the adiri bottle from babies r us. They are a bit more expensive but more like a boob. Maybe try those. Also, can someone else give the bottle besides you? I know my dd will never take one from me. Just be persistent and I'm sure she'll start taking it. But I really recommend that bottle.

Re: I need help... weaning bf/formula question - long

if there is any way for someone else to give your dc a bottle would be great, once she gets used to it , she 'll be better with you, just give it some time,she'll get used to it.

Re: I need help... weaning bf/formula question - long

Rebecca.... do you pump?

I think that's why I have so much success with K and her bottles.... I put BM into her bottles, and she s ucks it down like a champ!

Message edited 3/8/2008 2:20:03 PM.

Re: I need help... weaning bf/formula question - long

My DD hated the bottles I bought. The pediatrician told me she would eventually get used to it and not to give up or waste $$ on different bottles. Well, my sister baby-sat for me one night and said DD's upper lip was being pulled into her mouth and the corners were opening when she was trying to suck on the bottle, so I tried a different one. It worked. DD is now eating from a bottle. She still fusses a bit, but she is not screaming like she is being killed anymore.

Re: I need help... weaning bf/formula question - long

we're going through the same exact thing here. I pumped exclusively, and my body just doesn't want to do it anymore.

did you try putting gas drops in her bottles? we have found that to work really well.