Help, I want to introduce formula...?

[scooby88]

My son is nearly 3 weeks old. We have been exclusively bf since birth and I started expressing last week so my oh could help feed. We give 3oz bottle around 10pm so baby sleeps a little longer through the night, he usually manages 4hrs then is awake every 1.5hrs to feed. I'm thinking of giving him a formula feed before bed, hopefully he'll sleep longer. Can anyone offer any advice? Tried calling the bf helpline but lines are busy. Any advice greatly appreciated

 

[sallybee]

I'm afraid formula is unlikely to help and unless you express at that time your supply will probably drop. Every 1.5 hours sounds about right for his age but it will get easier - my LO has slept 11-7 from 7 weeks and now sleeps 9-7. But at 3 weeks she was feeding every hour in the night.
He will just be boosting your supply as well as you make more milk in the night xx

 

[cosmicgirl]

I agree with above, I don't think that will help and it will hinder your supply.
Give it a little longer and the gap between feeds will become bigger xx

 

[Karate Kid]

I'm afraid formula is unlikely to help and unless you express at that time your supply will probably drop. Every 1.5 hours sounds about right for his age but it will get easier - my LO has slept 11-7 from 7 weeks and now sleeps 9-7. But at 3 weeks she was feeding every hour in the night.
He will just be boosting your supply as well as you make more milk in the night xx

^^WSS our LO's go through growth spurts and leaps therefore feed more and can be more clingy. Whilst formula in it's very nature may be heavier it does not necessarily mean that LO will sleep for longer. Plus it will hinder your supply.

I promise it dies get easier, usually around the six week Mark things start to improve xx

 

[scooby88]

Thank you ladies, I won't give in. I spoke to a very helpful lady on the nationl bf helpline, she said pretty much the same. It's bloody hard work though! I'll stick with it thanks again xx

 

[babymother]

Hiya. THe first weeks are really hard whether ff of bf.
great advice already given from the fab ladies!
You are both still learning, establishing your milk supply. If you can manage a bit longer without introducing formula I'm sure things will settle down.
Your feeding sounds normal and good

 

[Mrs N]

Some babies do wake up loads in the night, just stick with it, once he is a little bigger he will go longer between feeds. My boy slept worse with formula than he did with breast!
Xxx

 

[cosmicgirl]

My lo was sleeping quite well (10-5 then 5-8am) until 3 days ago!
The last 3 nights he's been up for feeds every 2-3hrs. It's fine by me, I just slip him in beside me and feed lying down then pop him back in his basket but I know he'll be back into his old routine soon enough xx