Do I don't I?

[mrswoody]

Hi ladies,
I've been ebf for 6 weeks now and have been getting on really well as has Madison. However, for the past 2 weeks or so she feeds on and off a lot at night before settling between 1030 and midnight where she has slept 5-6 hours and the past 2 nights 8-9 hours.
However, the constant feeding in the evening is getting me down and very tired not to mentioned agitated at being stuck not being able to do anything, I feel really guilty for feeling like this
So I've been thinking about introducing a bottle of formula at night to try and help and to free me up a bit. I feel really guilty but not sure what else to do? My OH is reluctant for me to do this as he thinks M and me are doing fine, I just want to start sharing the load more?!
I've gave M Hipp Organic Formula before and she seems to like it.

I just don't know what to do for the best

Sorry to ramble xx

 

[sazz]

Hi,

I'm ebf too but in the evening I let Toby have the breast till 8ish and then it's a bottle of breast milk as his 9-11 feed. Oh gives him this. Recently he'll take 3-4oz. And then be out till 3-4ish. If M seems ok with the formula then it could be worth trying or maybe a 50/50 mix. It does help them sleep better. I don't use formula as T is a really windy baby and gets really fluxy. He's had formula before and it got him settled overnight but he was really uncomfortable the next day.

It is great ebf but being stuck on the sofa all night can be exhausting. Xx

 

[cosmicgirl]

My lo feeds on and off from around 8pm to 10-11pm then sleeps til 4am.
It is a pain but quite common for ebf babies.
This does spread out, promise.
I'd rather let oh give an expressed bottle rather than formula but that's just me x

 

[twinkles]

How old is lo??
They are just busy building your supply probably for a growth spurt, it won't last forever I promise! I would go down the route if expressing and letting oh give the evening feed, ur doing so well it would be a shame to put lo on formula when it could just be another week of feeding like that, express throughout the day and especially the night as u will get lots in the early hours and then build up a stock in the freezer that is there for oh to do feeds, u could even have a day of just expressing once u build up enough!!! X

 

[CARNAT22]

The best advice I was given was that once BF'ing (or in my case expressing) becomes too much of a chore and makes me feel miserable then it's time to reassess the options. Same goes for your situation hun. If that one night-time bottle is going to make things easier for you then you must consider it.

I went from 90% express breast feeding to 100% FF in the past few weeks as my milk supply was dwindling and I was so stressed and tired. I knew it was time and I have no regrets!

xxxxxxxx

 

[knopk@]

It sounds like a growth spurt to me considering your LOs age. You might want to express some in the morning (most ladies have their supply at peak) and top up with what you have expressed at night.
If you introduce formula, your supply will.most likely drop or not increase.
My friend went through a stage of topping up with a bottle of formula in the evening but at the same time she was expressing during the day to maintain supply. Hope this helps

Tapatalking so cant see signatures

 

[mrswoody]

Thank you for all your replies x

I think I'll try with the expressing in the morning to make up some feed for the night. I did this once before and she guzzled 6oz of bm and wanted more. any clues on how much she might take?

failing that I'm going to have to explore other options.

Nat..I was given the same advice so if my plans don't work I will definitely reassess.

Twinkles..M is 6 weeks on Friday I had thought she had come through a growth spurt just recently going by the wonder weeks book/app.

 

[Karate Kid]

Sounds like either a growth spurt or she is stocking up for the night hun. The longer she sleeps during the night the more her calorific needs will be during the day/ early evenings.

I would hang on in there gun because it will get easier. Xx

 

[Sunbeam638]

I combi feed but if your mainly bf I would avoid giving a bottle at night because your bf supply is at its best. Saying that if its one bottle and its roughly the same time you'll be ok with your supply. Xx

 

[knopk@]

Thank you for all your replies x

I think I'll try with the expressing in the morning to make up some feed for the night. I did this once before and she guzzled 6oz of bm and wanted more. any clues on how much she might take?

failing that I'm going to have to explore other options.

Nat..I was given the same advice so if my plans don't work I will definitely reassess.

Twinkles..M is 6 weeks on Friday I had thought she had come through a growth spurt just recently going by the wonder weeks book/app.

Try sticking it out with expressing and your supply should catch up. If she finishes expressed milk, stick her back on the breast. This stage is very hard and its a huge growth spurt but it will establish. A lot of women give up cause its so hard but its really worth it persevering.
If your lo is having wet/dirty nappies, gaining weight etc, its just a case of putting something on TV, making sure you have snacks etc and staying on the sofa.
Everyone goes through stages like this but once supply is established, it will be so much easier