breastfeeding/weaning question

[vivela]

So I'm reaching my goal of pumping until DS is 6 months as of Monday. I told myself I would try it for at least that long and then if I was struggling with it I would make a change. I'm finding it very difficult to keep up with my work without any of my planning periods and a baby at home so I think it's time to move on.
I'm perfectly happy to keep breastfeeding when I'm home. Is it likely that I'll still be able to do that for awhile? DS eats solid food and breast milk during the day, so we will be switching the daytime food to formula.
Second question: Any recommendations for formula? DS has eaten any purees we've thrown at him without digestive issues so I think we can go with something basic. I'm just overwhelmed by all the options.

[pbandj714]

Congrats on reaching your goal! That's awesome!

I don't have anything useful to add as far as weaning goes, but for formula, I'd just start out with something basic and see how it goes. We started out using Similac because that's what the Hospital used. Fast forward, that shit is NOT cheap, especially for two! So we talked to our pedi about it and she suggested we try the store-brand that is "compare to similac advanced!". My kids have done fabulously on it, no complaints. All formula is FDA regulated, so nothing you can buy is going to be "BAD" since they have such strict standards to adhere to. The store-brand similac is less than half the cost of name-brand Similac. So that was our biggest factor.

[frecklesnbrains]

I'm in the exact same place and had the same goal of making it until 6 months. DS went through a huge growth spurt about 2 weeks before he turned 6 months and I had to introduce a little supplemental formula at that time in order to keep up with him. It's now been about 3 weeks and I'm just gradually scaling back on pumping. I had been pumping 5x per day (once in the morning, 3x at work, and once before going to bed). The first step for me was just to let go of the expectation that I would be able to pump enough volume to keep up with him - that alone lifted a big weight off my shoulders. If I couldn't fit in the pumping at work or I was tired and wanted to go to bed instead of pumping at night then it was going to be okay. Most days I am pumping 1-2x at work instead of 3x. DS drinks 4 bottles per day and right now that's usually 1-2 bottles of formula and 2-3 bottles of breastmilk. I am still able to nurse him in the morning and at bedtime, which is nice. Weekends have required some creativity because my supply has definitely decreased and he likes BIG volumes during the day (he drinks 7-8oz bottles) so he tends to get more formula on the weekends.

We're giving regular Enfamil Infant and have also used the store brand version. I tried a sample I got when he was a newborn and he liked it so we stuck with it. He did not like the Enfamil Gentleease or Similac Sensitive - I guess the broken down stuff they have that's supposed to be "easier to digest" did not taste good to him. I'd say start simple. Most babies prefer the basic stuff (regular Similac or regular Enfamil), and it's cheaper too.

[manybellsdown]

Congrats on reaching goals!

[vivela]

Thanks for the feedback ladies, helpful!

And thank you for the congratulations. It helped me catch myself thinking negatively when I didn't even realize I was. Subconscious was saying "you are giving up the very first minute you said you would." You've reminded me that I've worked hard and accomplished something I knew would be challenging, I should feel good about it!

[packerfan4life]

Congrats on reaching your goal!

For DD1 we used Target's store brand version of Similac advance with no issues

[txmommy14]

Congrats!! 6 months is awesome! Pumping as a teacher is so hard (and I'm sure at any job), I'm sure he will do great with formula!

[Kevinmac]

Congratulations on reaching your goal!

[woodengirl07]

Great job mama! I didn't make it that long, going back to work and pumping became impossible. Mine has spit up issues, so we use enfamil AR. Enfamil brand only because we had a free sample. She basically weened herself right away, she much preferred the bottle I guess. It was pretty easy on me to stop pumping, I just cut it down from three to two to one to zero at work over a two week period and the milk pretty much dried up.