Ok, please be brutally honest with me, so i can make an informed decision!

What potential damage or difficulties is there involved with giving my 6 week old (5 week early) baby a bottle of formula at bedtime? I think ive read somewhere that just one bottle can disrupt their digestive system?

My DS feeds every single hour, day & night. after 3 weeks of this, i was at breaking point. I also have 2 other children to look after & to get to school. Im also a single parent. So for teh last 3/4 nights, ive been giving DS a bottle, about 60 mls (but he usually takes less) at 10 pm, he then sleeps til 2 am, then BF and sl;eeps til 6am. This is blissfull compared to last week!

I really need to weigh up the pros & cons of this though, to decide wether to make this a long term solution or not.

Please help!

pretty sure you're not doing any damage what so ever - while breast feeding would be ideal more important is that baby has a rested happy mum - the benefits of breast feeding are still there for your ds since you're still othewise breast feeding - i really wouldn't worry and use the ideal combination for yourself - seems like you're really coping well to be honest!

I think that what you have read about is "virgin gut". You could search for messages here on that subject whilst waiting for the experts to pop along to this thread.

Please be kind to yourself whatever feeding decision you make. You are clearly doing a fabulous job under difficult circumstances.

thanks. ill look up "virgin gut". and thanks for making me feel better about this )

yes the virgin gut is the key issue, especially if you have a history of allergies, excema, asthma
but it is perfectly possible to mix feed.
can you get some advice from a bfc?

i think theres a bfc at my health centre, i just presumed she would try & talk me into exclusively bf though, or make me feel more guilty

have just read up on the virgin gut thing, but i think that was ruined on day one, as DS was 5 weeks early, and wouldnt latch on, so his 1st two feeds were of formula, until i was well enough to express. he was then tube fed ebm.

missjennnipenni i really really wouldn't worry - i've bf mine but changed to bottle earlier than planned because of circumstances - i think the most important thing is that dc are happy, and usually they need a rested mother for that - also don't assume what the bfc will say - she may have a rather open opinion tbh

Sounds like you're doing great with the BF and shouldn't give yourself a hard time.

I wouldn't try to second guess the bf counsellor. The one I spoke to was wonderful. She let me talk through what was on my mind, gave me the relevant facts and let me come to a decision. She didn't try to push any opinions on me at all.

Hope you have a helpful chat with your bfc and decide what's best for you and ds.

please don't make assumptions about bfc's. they are highly trained and balanced individuals, with the best interests of at heart ime and volunteers

fgs, if you are as upset as you say you are, then you have to give him the formul for both your sakes.
a stressed out mother is far more damaging than a bottle of formula. ( and i am so mega pro breastfeeding iscare myself sometimes!)

Are there any 'problems' with bf otherwise? Sore nipples, signs of insufficient milk transfer (wet nappies etc)?

It may be that this is just the way your lo feeds - normal for him. (and knackering for you )

But perhaps, there might be something that could be improved upon like latch or positioning, enabling better milk transfer and (possibly) a slightly less exhausting feeding habit?

If your preference is to get back to excl bf then a bfc might help with this. But if you choose to mix feed please be kind to yourself! (am assuming you are familiar with threads on possible detrimental impact to supply of regular ff so just giving it a wee mention here because you asked for pros and cons, and that is a con that some women experience)

You sound like you are doing expremely well - I hope things get easier for you soon!