When Pumping Ends

Hi

I have a beautiful 10.5 month daughter Katie whom I am now starting to wean . I work as a RN in a ER & currently pump before work then twice during day & once before bed . She goes to daycare when I work & this is 3 days a week . I want to stop pumping when she is a year. I have started to get the daycare to add 1 oz of formula to her feeds.How quicky should I increase the amounts of formula?

So far she seems to be tolerating it ok but for the past 2 days she has 3 blowouts  which are watery - could this be related to formula?

She refuses formula on its own.

I am finding it harder to pump at work especially the 2nd session .

Any advice is appreciated.

thanks

Heather

Welcome Heather!!!!!

Congratulations on making it to 10.5 mos pumping as a nurse (and an ER nurse at that!)!  Over the years I've noticed that nurses and teachers have the hardest time continuing to pump.

I would increase the amount of formula in the bottle very slowly, I'd say, over the next month.  When did you start the formula mix?  She seemed to be doing well for how long? a few days? a week?  You could try using a hydrolyzed formula where the proteins are broken down like http://store.enfamil.com/enfamil_gentlease_lipil.html or http://www.verybestbaby.com/GoodStart/GoodStartDifference.aspx?ArticleId=91d39b0c-8aca-447d-b9ad-8e4153a84aeb

Nutramigen is the most broken down of them all, but I've heard it stinks and some babies don't like the taste of it. http://store.enfamil.com/enfamil_nutramigen_lipil.html

Remember that formula has to be fortified with a lot of iron to make sure enough of it is absorbed....this can lead to constipation (and then maybe blow outs in between?), so don't be too surprised if her bowel movements change.  Is she still acting the same w/ the exception of the blow outs?

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Caryn

Nursed Nia for 12 mos, W&P'd for Olivia until 13-14 mos and nursed Afram until 3 years after W&Ping for 16-17 mos.

Hi Caryn

Thanks for the reply. We started adding 1 oz Formula ( Parents choice) to 4 oz EBM about 1 week ago only at Daycare & once at home with my DH.

Otherwise she is acting normal.

regards

Heather