Success!!!

This is actually a continuation of my previous post to recap the whole weaning to formula 'experience'.

The cold turkey method lasted all of one day cos I was too chicken (I was convinced she would die of hunger or go into hypoglycemic shock or any number of other medical ailments ... ) Plus the Dr. also suggested we could try mixing formula with breast milk (she did not recommend this at first but seeing that we were determined to wean she said it would be ok for a period of time but not to do it long term). So on day 2 that's what we did. For the whole day we gave her a mixed bottle starting with 120ml EBM (expressed breast milk) and 20ml FM (I used Snow brand...which the doctor had given me the previous day. Previously I was using Babynat (this organic formula) but when I tried to mix it with breast milk, the smell was still so strong! So I tried Snow instead which was quite mild smelling (and tasting as well) By the end of the day it was 90 ml EBM and 30ml FM. She wasn't exactly happy about it but with her hunger and our persistence she drank most of it. Day 3 I mixed half and half. She drank it but still not happy (had to keep shoving the bottle in her mouth to get her to take it.) Day 4 and 5 we were at a 2:1 ratio and by the 6th day 100% formula. However during this whole time every time we offered the bottle she would cry. It was quite heart breaking cos it sounded like as if we were poisoning her or something. The strange thing is once she tasted the milk she would drink it fine. I think she was more averse to the bottle than the milk itself.

It's been almost 2 weeks now since I stopped breastfeeding her and looks like she's adjusted quite well. She doesn't cry at the bottle anymore. Thankfully! There were a few times when it was a bit hard for her to nap. But I just kept rocking her until she got tired and fell asleep. She was also a bit clingy during the first few days (I guess she missed the physical comfort of nursing) so I made sure I carried and hugged her extra.

I expected to feel quite sad about weaning her but it was not as bad as I imagined. I guess after reading other people's experience with it and how badly they felt I was prepared for it and maybe that helped me come to terms with it. Also since I did continue longer than my initial plan of 6 months I was emotionally ready to give it up. Of course there are moments when I do feel a sense of regret but at the same time I realise this is all part of Meera growing up. As they say....we gotta learn to loosen the apron strings.

I also wanted to add another note: when we were at the doctor's she said that she usually advised mothers who planned to wean early to introduce formula once a day to the baby once breastfeeding was established. On hindsight this would have been a good idea. unfortunately we never really discussed this with the doctor at the time so we never considered this option. Besides I was so hung up on exclusively breastfeeding I probably wouldn't have considered it anyway. Guess I learned the hard way. Thankfully it all worked out in the end.