Did anyone not breastfeed after breastfeeding a previous child?

[babyblabber]

So I'm expecting number 4. No.1 was fed for 6 weeks, combo til 3 months then bottles. Feeding him was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life!

No.2 plan was to combo feed for as long as possible but she was a bottle refuser, couldn't do switching back and forth & I was going back to work so went cold turkey at 4 months.

No.3 I breastfed for 8 months with one bottle (of formula, I hate pumping) a day.

I'm seriously thinking about not breastfeeding no.4. Or actually I don't think I could not breastfeed a newborn so maybe just for 4-6 weeks. My reasons being I have 3 others, school runs etc, mine all fed non stop for months so I'm virtually stuck on the couch, I know a predictable bottle feeding routine would be less stressful for me mentally, I also know I use the boob to settle them back to sleep (co-sleep) and both 2&3 woke 5 times a night for months on end coz they couldn't self settle, I can't go through 8 months of no sleep again!!!! I tried not co-sleeping/feeding to sleep many times but at 3am I just don't have the will power to be strong! Also I could get my body back quicker, I'm a savage when feeding and often put on weight! I could leave the house on my own without being worried about feeds.

But then I know with hormones I won't be able to quit at 6 weeks so maybe I should try to bottle feed from the start? But then I have such guilt!!!

Anyone any words of wisdom for me?!

[crje]

I bf one very successfully & bottle fed 3 of mine

They won't mind if you don't !

Bottle feeding doesn't always make for a settled baby . One of mine demand fed on formula for a few months while the others fed by the clock. My breastfed baby slept the night the earliest of them all.
In my experience the routine is set by the baby not the bottle/boob.

It's fine to be practical & not take 100% responsibly for feeding.

[LaceyLee]

I'm considering it as I'm pregnant and feeding my 18 month old, she's obsessed and I don't see how I'm going to stop. Lots of our interactions are about her trying to get boobie milk rather than having fun or nice cuddles. So no help for you sorry but I get where you're coming from, and am watching with interest. Totally get the guilt thing too

[horseyhorseydonotstop]

I didn't bf DS4 - he is just as happy on bottles. And I personally found that it was a lot easier to get out and about knowing when feeds were due and what I needed. Whatever you choose do what suits you and you can't go wrong

[TriJo]

I'm 3 months in on #1 and there's not a hope in hell I'm exclusively breastfeeding again, I'm absolutely miserable bf'ing on this one thanks to a relentlessly hungry baby and we want to start trying for #2 when DS is a little over a year old. I couldn't cope with a second with DS's appetite on the boob.

[Glittered]

I think maybe just see what happens?
I have a 5 week old and didn't plan to breast feed past the first few days as dd1 i exclusively fed for 4 months and in the end it got me down as I never got a break.
DD2 now 5 weeks has been combo fed since she was born, she's a really good feeder and copes with bottle and breast but has terrible wind and up all night screaming in pain.
A week I stopped formula feeding and now have a happy baby.
So thus wasn't my initial plan but I'm having to go with it xx

[MyFirstMyLastMyEverythingBagel]

I bf my first two for around 18 month and my third I bottle fed. No guilt at all and I love ds just as much as the other two and am just as bonded with him. It was sooo much easier and if I had another I'd go straight to bottles again. You make your decision based on you and what you want to do / not what you think you should or other people think you should

[queenofthepirates]

I was BF and I'm a single mum. My little brother wasn't and he's a Dr of Physics. We're both healthy and sturdy so don't feel guilty, do what's best for you-it's your boobs after all.

NB, Happy single mum btw

[Mummychoochoo3]

So glad to read this post, I have number 3 due in 8weeks and I am dreading breastfeeding. I did it with DD & DS for nearly a year but the first 3 months were awful and bring back not very nice memories. Once I got comfortable it was great but I don't think I'll have the energy and don't want to be glued to the sofa. DS will start school in September too. So yup, looks like combination to start perhaps for 6wks min

[babyblabber]

Oh I'm so glad I started this thread! I think I will breastfeed with one bottle a day, like with no.3 but increase the bottles gradually over a couple of months.

[puglife15]

I would EBF for the first week if you can. There is evidence that this will help protect the baby's stomach flora. Gut health can make a big difference later in life and the first week is the really crucial one.