Breastfed baby - Odd night time formula feed

[happy-chick]

Last night I was absolutely exhausted with a banging headache so asked hubby to do the first night feed with 1/2 breastmilk and 1/2 formula, she went to bed at 110 and 2:30 comes ( ) and she wakes crying for food so he makes her a bottle and gives it her, comes into me to tell me she's had it all and shes still hungry so I told him to do her some more... he then brought her into me to put her on breast as she still wouldnt settle, she drained one breast then went to sleep. She slept through until 8:30 this morning which hasnt happened for a week or so now cos of this growth spurt so I was like YAY shes missed 3 feeds!!!

I asked hubby how much she had in a bottle when I spoke to him this morning and she had 8 1/2 oz!!!!! so she had 8 1/2 oz then drained one of my boobs, i cant believe it what a piggy!! So my question is, do you think its worth introducing a night time bottle of 1/2 EBM & 1/2 formula might allow me a little more sleep while shes spurting? Has anyone else done this? Will this effect my supply dramatically?

 

[leckershell]

I did it and it certainly helped him to sleep. I did it about 4 and a bit months when the interrupted sleep had gotten beyond a joke - I don't deal with lack of sleep very well. It works perfectly fine, I used to express off the feed he would have had and freeze it for another time.

But hardcore breastfeeders would say don't do it... bottle confusion, decreases supply etc. We carried on until 7 and a bit months with no problems doing it that way and only reason we stopped was he was ill and didn't have the energy to feed off me and I was due back to work soon so I didn't persevere with him.

It's entirely your choice, but yeah I did it and it helped no end.

 

[happy-chick]

Shes not fussy mids when feeding at all, she feeds without a fuss until breast is empty and then just lets me know she wants the other one... then drains that... but during feeds she not fussy at all. I dont wanna do it as a permanent thing but wanna know if the odd formula night feed will effect my suppy as I need to recoup & sam is home this weekend so nows my chance to recharge my batteries ready to battle it out again

Thanks leckershell, good to know its possible if i get desperate!

 

[maybebaby]

I only ever fed Austin boob at night because it was so much easier than having to cope with OH doing a feed - he'd take ages, turn on all the lights & wake up the whole street just to get a bottle made up!

What I did do though was replace his last feed of the day with a bottle firstly of EBM then formula once he hit 6 months. OH has always given this feed which gave me a chance to have a bath or sit down for 10 minutes.

If she's just waking up because she's spurting then she'll probably be better in a couple of days & back to sleeping normally. Unless you want to give formula at that feed permanently I wouldn't recommend doing it when she's growing because your supply won't keep up.

If she fell asleep after being on your boob it may have been she wasn't actually that hungry she just wanted to comfort of being close to you?

 

[happy-chick]

I only ever fed Austin boob at night because it was so much easier than having to cope with OH doing a feed - he'd take ages, turn on all the lights & wake up the whole street just to get a bottle made up!

What I did do though was replace his last feed of the day with a bottle firstly of EBM then formula once he hit 6 months. OH has always given this feed which gave me a chance to have a bath or sit down for 10 minutes.

If she's just waking up because she's spurting then she'll probably be better in a couple of days & back to sleeping normally. Unless you want to give formula at that feed permanently I wouldn't recommend doing it when she's growing because your supply won't keep up.

If she fell asleep after being on your boob it may have been she wasn't actually that hungry she just wanted to comfort of being close to you?

OK thanks for the advice Basically I dont have much of a choice and im going to have to supplement at some point over the next few days to get myself back right as im not well anyway and being so tired isnt helping so I need some sleep to get back on form... Im sure my supply wont suffer too much if its only for a couple of days and in the long run its better for Ellie if I feel ok cos the rate im goin im so run down im gunna be mega ill!

 

[mrs_tommo22]

Jo do what ever makes you feel comfortable and happy sweetie, the restbite every blue moon would be great for you especially if your feeling run down and knackered. Im sure ellie wont mind the odd bottle of formula.

Try and make some sleepy time for yourself at some point babes

 

[maybebaby]

I only ever fed Austin boob at night because it was so much easier than having to cope with OH doing a feed - he'd take ages, turn on all the lights & wake up the whole street just to get a bottle made up!

What I did do though was replace his last feed of the day with a bottle firstly of EBM then formula once he hit 6 months. OH has always given this feed which gave me a chance to have a bath or sit down for 10 minutes.

If she's just waking up because she's spurting then she'll probably be better in a couple of days & back to sleeping normally. Unless you want to give formula at that feed permanently I wouldn't recommend doing it when she's growing because your supply won't keep up.

If she fell asleep after being on your boob it may have been she wasn't actually that hungry she just wanted to comfort of being close to you?

OK thanks for the advice Basically I dont have much of a choice and im going to have to supplement at some point over the next few days to get myself back right as im not well anyway and being so tired isnt helping so I need some sleep to get back on form... Im sure my supply wont suffer too much if its only for a couple of days and in the long run its better for Ellie if I feel ok cos the rate im goin im so run down im gunna be mega ill!

Absolutely, do what's best for you hun you certainly won't lose your supply by supplementing, I didn't mean to make it sound like that. I just meant if you do it may take longer for your supply to keep up with her demands in the long run.

There's nothing wrong with giving formula and I didn't mean to make you feel bad... please don't take it like that Have some sleep and enjoy the rest - I know I would if I had an OH who was willing and able to help in the night!

 

[lisa&alex]

jsut pump when/before she has her bottle.. if you think.. right im going to bed at 9.. sam will prob feed ehr about 10 then pump jsut before you go to sleep.. im sure as you said you are giving half formula half ebm then you are getting 4oz of ebm thr odd bottle every now and again wont effect your supply..as long as you pump..my supplys been effected because hes had 2 bottles a day every day..(because he has needed them - advised by gp) gl

 

[beanie]

night feeds are importnat as this is when the hormone prolactin is highest and it is this that ensures your milk supply. However I don't think an ocasional bottle will do much harm.Cally has slept 7 hours fpor acoupleofnights and missed 2 feeds but my milk supply quickly adjusts when she wants these back. You have been feeding for long enough for your supply to cope with an occasional bottle of formula and Ellie has been feeding long enough to cope with any nipple confusion.

If tiredness is being a big issue (and it is tiring coping with these growth spurts) have you tried feeding lying down during the day. I fnd that I will sometimes have a snooze (not a deep sleep), which just helps me keep on top of things. I put a dvd o for Seren and just take sometimeout.Even ifyou don't sleep the rest will help. Also try and do less if you can (Iknow thats easier said then done), or delegate housework etc