How to Reduce Formula Feeds and Breastfeed More

Mumma, have you found yourself giving formula to your baby when you really didn’t want to? Or maybe you started off wanting to give just one bottle and you ended up doing more and more, feeling like your breastmilk just isn’t enough. So many mums find themselves in this trap. It can be heartbreaking and upsetting when it wasn’t what you had pictured for feeding your baby. I’ve been getting a lot of DM’s from mums asking how they can give reduce formula feeds and breastfeed more. It’s all about finding the right balance between increasing your milk supply and reducing the formula feeds. In this post I’m going to walk you through how to do just that. In this post, I’ll cover what you need to know about increasing your milk supply, why it’s important, and some simple steps to help you make the transition.

The Challenging Road

First, let’s talk about what you need to know to keep breastfeeding. Breastfeeding can be hard, especially if you have low milk supply or nipple pain. And trying to increase your milk supply can be hard. It takes a lot of time and effort. But it’s important to believe that with the right help and plans, you can give your baby less formula and more breastmilk. Trust your body, be patient and get support. Every drop of breastmilk helps, and with time and effort, improvements can happen.

Your Mantra: Why Breastfeeding Is Important

So, why go to all this effort? I’m sure you know this already, but it’s easy to lose sight of it when you’re sleep deprived, exhausted and just want a breast from everything. So, I’m going to remind you here of why you should keep going when it’s tough. Breastfeeding has so many benefits for both you and your baby. Breastmilk gives your baby the best nutrition and protection, protecting them from colds infections and even protects you both from some cancers. It helps nurture a special bond between you and your baby that can do wonders for their mental health and social development as they grow. I know you just want the best for your baby, and breastfeeding is an amazing way to do that. On those hard days, keep coming back to this and rely on your support people to help you remember how important this is to you.

Steps to Reduce Formula Feeds and Breastfeed More

Now, let’s get into the steps you can take to reduce formula feeds and breastfeed more.

1. Boost Your Milk Supply

• Breastfeed Often: The more you breastfeed, the more milk you’ll make. Try to breastfeed every 2-3 hours.
• Good Latch: Make sure your baby is latching well and feeding effectively. Download this free guide to help improve baby’s latch, and read this blog post to find out whether your baby’s is breastfeeding effectively.
• Pump After Feeds: Ideally after all feeds or at least 8 times per day. This will help tell your breasts they need to make more milk.

2. Reduce Formula Top-Ups

• Cut Back Slowly: Only start this step if baby is showing all the signs they’re getting enough milk (see the signs here). Start by reducing the formula only by the number of mLs of pumped milk you have for each feed.
• Give Baby Your Pumped Milk: Use your pumped milk to replace some of the formula you usually give. You will probably still need to give some formula as well to start with, but over time as your supply increases, you’ll notice you have more pumped milk to replace with.
• Re-evaluate Every Week: If baby is still showing the signs that they’re getting enough milk and has put on more than the required amount of weight, you can reduce the formula a bit more and eventually only give pumped milk top ups. Then you can work on reducing your pumped milk top ups until you can stop those too.

3. Get Support

Reach out to a lactation consultant (like me!) for advice and help. Getting help from a lactation consultant is really important because you get: 

• Personalised Support: A lactation consultant can give you advice just for you. They can help you understand your baby’s feeding cues, fix latching problems, and find ways to boost your milk supply that suit your particular situation.
• Expert Guidance: Lactation consultants are experts in breastfeeding. They can offer solutions and tips that you might not know about.
• Confidence Building: Having a consultant to talk to can make you feel more confident. Knowing someone is there to support you can make breastfeeding less stressful and more enjoyable.
• Problem-Solving: If you have problems, a lactation consultant can help you find alternative solutions and solve them as quickly as possible. This makes breastfeeding smoother for you and your baby.

By working with a lactation consultant, you can make better decisions, get helpful tips, and feel more supported during your breastfeeding journey. Book a home visit or video call with me here to get that support.

Following these steps can help you gradually reduce formula feeds and breastfeed more. Every mum’s journey is unique, so take it one step at a time.

Final Thoughts 

Balancing breastfeeding and reducing formula feeds is a journey. With patience, the right steps, and support, you can make this transition smoothly. If you have any questions or need more help, DM me on Instagram. I’d love to hear what you learned from this blog post and how I can help you on your breastfeeding journey. Let’s work together to make breastfeeding a happy, calm, beautiful bonding breastfeeding experience for you and your baby!

** Please note that this information is general in nature and doesn’t take into consideration yours or your baby’s individual situations. It’s important to work with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) to help you work out a personalised plan that works for you and your baby’s individual situation. **