I think BFing is coming to an end... question about formula at night.

I'm not ready, but apparently DD is. She would NOT nurse last night no matter how hard I tried. But this morning she had no issue with it so I still have hope.

But my question is if she won't nurse at night anymore, how much formula should I give her before bed? I know some of you don't give a bottle right before bed but those that do and have a DC that is around 8 months old, how many oz do you give?

Last night she only drank 3oz b/c she had eaten dinner (stage 2 food) late and was extremely tired but would she drink the normal 6oz bottle that she gets throughout the day? Or will it be less you think?

Oh and DD is 8 months old today! I'll post pics later.

Re: I think BFing is coming to an end... question about formula at night.

I am of no help, as DS is only 4 months..and not on food yet, but Happy 8 months!!!!

Re: I think BFing is coming to an end... question about formula at night.

With her dinner she usually has 6 or 7 oz. in the evening. HTH!

Re: I think BFing is coming to an end... question about formula at night.

My DD just turned 11 months, but for the past month, I was nursing her just morning and night and she was drinking 2 6 oz bottles during the day.

I try to nurse her at night still for a few minutes, but my supply has really been suffering and afterwards I top her off with formula. She has been taking only 4 oz before bed.

So if you are not going to try to nurse her first at night, I'd try the 6 oz and see how much she takes and go from there.

Re: I think BFing is coming to an end... question about formula at night.

DS drinks 8oz at night now

Re: I think BFing is coming to an end... question about formula at night.

I think I posted on another thread that we're in a similar situation with BFing coming to an end. I found that when we first started with bottles during the day, he would only drink about 3-4 oz at a time max. Now we're down to BFing once, maybe twice a day (when he wakes at night and maybe in the morning), he's drinking about 6oz at a time (he's 8.5 months). It varies though. He ate a bit better at dinner tonight (which is at 6 - 6:30 or so) so he only drank about 3oz of his bedtime bottle at 8pm (he had also had 6oz at 5pm).

Re: I think BFing is coming to an end... question about formula at night.

oh no this seems so sad to me.

can I ask if you know why this is happening?

I would still keep trying to nurse her...maybe something was bothering her last night.

otherwise, I would give her the 6 oz of formula until you see what she needs (she may drink more b/c it doesn't have the fats bm does to hold her over)

would you consider pumping again?

Re: I think BFing is coming to an end... question about formula at night.

We make my DS an 8 oz bottle of formula at night. Sometimes he drinks all of it, sometimes he passes out before then.

He eats dinner between 5:00-5:30, and then gets his bedtime bottle around 7:30-8:00.

If he falls asleep too quickly and only drinks 2 oz or so, I usually keep him on my lap while I watch tv. Once he stirs a bit (30 min or so), I dream feed him the rest of the bottle or as much as he will take.

Re: I think BFing is coming to an end... question about formula at night.

Thanks guys, I think if she won't nurse i'll make a 6oz bottle and see how much she drinks. She did STTN with only the 3oz last night so who knows!

Posted by Ophelia

oh no this seems so sad to me.

can I ask if you know why this is happening?

I would still keep trying to nurse her...maybe something was bothering her last night.

otherwise, I would give her the 6 oz of formula until you see what she needs (she may drink more b/c it doesn't have the fats bm does to hold her over)

would you consider pumping again?

Message edited 4/13/2010 5:33:53 PM.

Re: I think BFing is coming to an end... question about formula at night.

We used to give a bedtime bottle of formula of 8oz. They nursed all other times during the day.

Re: I think BFing is coming to an end... question about formula at night.

That's AWESOME you were able to nurse for 8 months!

Zach did the same thing - tapering off once i started nursing him just AM/PM. Then it was JUST AM and I was OK with it for the last few weeks because my best supply was the morning.

We had always 'topped' him off with formula at night but when it was an exclusive PM bottle, I think we started with 6oz.

You should be so proud of yourself for giving her 8 months of BM.

Re: I think BFing is coming to an end... question about formula at night.

DD eats dinner between 4 & 4:30 and drinks a 7 oz. bottle at 5:30 before bed.

Re: I think BFing is coming to an end... question about formula at night.

Posted by CaMacho

Thanks guys, I think if she won't nurse i'll make a 6oz bottle and see how much she drinks. She did STTN with only the 3oz last night so who knows!

Posted by Ophelia

oh no this seems so sad to me.

can I ask if you know why this is happening?

I would still keep trying to nurse her...maybe something was bothering her last night.

otherwise, I would give her the 6 oz of formula until you see what she needs (she may drink more b/c it doesn't have the fats bm does to hold her over)

would you consider pumping again?

I posted yesterday that for the last few days Sienna has been refusing to nurse... I think it could be bc her 2 bottom teeth just came in but I have a feeling she is just done. We'll see if this is just a phase, I'm going to keep trying for a while. I don't want to go back to pumping, plus I already gave the pump back that I borrowed. I'm sad but also glad i made it to 8 months.

Re: I think BFing is coming to an end... question about formula at night.

I have no idea and I am so sorry Jess.

Happy 8 months to Sienna from Sienna!

Re: I think BFing is coming to an end... question about formula at night.

DS has been drinking 7 oz in the bottle before bedtime for the past 3 months and he is 10 months old.

Re: I think BFing is coming to an end... question about formula at night.

Jess, I'd keep positive about it and keep trying. Could be any number of reasons like her cutting new teeth, something you ate or she could be ready to drop a feeding somewhere during the day and is too full after dinner for more???

I'd try to nurse every night before you give the formula and if she doesn't take to BF, then give the formula. Maybe even half way through the bottle, try to get her on you again.

Hang in there! Happy 8 months!