unsure about bf or formula

[Vicki & Nathan]

nathan is just over 3 weeks old and have been breast feeding. i have no problems doing it and he latches on well etc but it just doesnt seem to be enough for him. hes always hungry he could want it once or twice an hour and was getting awful wind and generally grumpy esp at night.
i decided to try him on formula for his last feed at night to see how he got on and i was amazed. instead of waking up every hour he is going 4-5 hours. i am a lot happier for it and so does he, he seems more contented is sleeping better and hasnt half the wind.
i have been giving him the formula last feed at night, in the night and first thing in the morning.
i liked breast feeding him but i honestly think he is doing much better on the formula and am tempted to switch to formula from now on.
i know breast is best but i think hes just too hungry for it.
am i wrong for wanting to stop?

 

[Urchin]

hiya
it may be that your supply is just adjusting to his needs, or he is going through a growth spurt.

I would never tell anyone what to do, but PLEASE be aware there are many, many ladies on his board who switched to formula and REALLY regretted it later.



P.S. I'm going to move this to the Feeding section as "Ask a Mum" is for pregnant mummies questions.

 

[trixipaws]

"Ask a Mum" is for pregnant mummies questions.

ooh sorry urchin i didnt kno that i still post my questions here!

 

[Urchin]

"Ask a Mum" is for pregnant mummies questions.

ooh sorry urchin i didnt kno that i still post my questions here!

Yeah I know I have made an announcement in there today and moved some of the posts over to the right sections

 

[Baileysmummy]

Hiya hun.. please dont beat yourself up about it..

this is my experience so far, sounds almost like yours..

bailey was feeding every hour sometimes twice, and was always hungary well that was it semt like, if i didnt feed him for 2 hours i would express, and there would be nothing there.. i felt quite upset by it that maybe i was not producing enough for him to get a decent feed from.. i like you tried formula just the once to see how he got on , and wham, he slept for 5 hours.. so i thought the same as you, im gonna give up hes happpier on formula, but i got advice from budge ( shes the best person to ask really) that for his age he wasnt really established at breast feeding as yet.. so i contnuied him feeding and now im glad i did because my milk has come through more now.. i have still had to top him up a few times in 1 week.. why dont you carry on feeding throughout the day and give him formula the last feed at night before you go to sleep.. that way hes happy and you get some sleep.. it can be draining ive been there hun, so i know what your going through.. maybe try expressing milk off and seeing how he goes on that as well, i tend to use ebm now so i know how much hes actually getting and i can make him drink it... unlike the breast when they let go its hard for me to get him bck on..

good luck, and dont feel like youve failed you do what you think is right.. but your not on your own out there..

 

[Tasha20]

nathan is just over 3 weeks old and have been breast feeding. i have no problems doing it and he latches on well etc but it just doesnt seem to be enough for him. hes always hungry he could want it once or twice an hour and was getting awful wind and generally grumpy esp at night.
i decided to try him on formula for his last feed at night to see how he got on and i was amazed. instead of waking up every hour he is going 4-5 hours. i am a lot happier for it and so does he, he seems more contented is sleeping better and hasnt half the wind.
i have been giving him the formula last feed at night, in the night and first thing in the morning.
i liked breast feeding him but i honestly think he is doing much better on the formula and am tempted to switch to formula from now on.
i know breast is best but i think hes just too hungry for it.
am i wrong for wanting to stop?

Constant feeding is perfectly normal and that doesnt change until they are at least 6 weeks when your supply has been established, they feed lots so they can build it up.

As Urchin has said so many women regret it because it does get easier and you can get through it and enjoy breastfeeding.

There were so many times I wanted to give up! I hated it at one stage and even tried to give her formula when she was going through Another growth spurt, but thankful to me she didnt take it, otherwise I wouldnt be breastfeeding now.

It is up to you and if you feel that you would be happier bottle feeding thats fine but please believe if you stay bfing, I promice it does get better

 

[Redshoes]

I've enjoyed breastfeeding since Isaac was born and together we've never had any problems, except my confidence in my supply after top-ups with him whilst in hospital...anyway, now I breastfeed and formula feed and I feel Isaac's very happy with that, he's alert, happy and growing well

I would just say only you know what is the right decision and only you has to live with it and so do what you're happy with and very best wishes

 

[Sabrina]

It can work to combine breast and formula (or so I've found to my happiness). I do agree it's good for mum and baby when they get a few more hours sleep in the night. We are all happier for the rest so why feel guilty about it?

What I'm going to try next is expressing my own milk at bedtime so I can give it to him during the night if he wakes up. Last time I expressed it wasn't too successful but I'm going to try again because there's generally more milk now.

 

[NIE]

I am glad to have read this as I would like to breastfeed but am unsure if I can due to medication.

I think if I can I would be interested in combining breast and formula.

Thanks. xx