Holding out sounds like the best plan, but I had to top up both of mine with formula (and I don't want an argument, I really did have to do this), and I haven't had any trouble at all. The best plan is to get a routine with bottle feeds and stick to it, for the benefit of the baby and your milk supply. The other thing is to make sure you always breast feed before you bottle feed, that will help reduce the chances of them giving up breast feeding. If mine didn't want to breast feed I took this as a sign that they weren't hungry and they didn't get the bottle either.

I know a lot of people who have tried to combine breast and bottle feeding and soon ended up just bottle feeding, but they generally didn't have a good routine, or the will to carry on with breast feeding.

My first was breast fed for a year and I am hoping the second one will be as well.

Thanks for the reasurance guys. seems i'm rite at the most difficalt point now, i'm gonna try my hardest to get tho this with out the formula, after all brast is most defenitly best!

I found that there were massive leaps forward at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. The age gap between mine (just under 2 years) is starting to shrink already and my DDs will be silly together and make each other laugh.

The worst time was probably from 2 to 6 weeks - after DH had gone back to work but before DD2 had really settled down to life outside. So right where you are now!

Hi Tangas, my dd2 is now just 5 months and dd1 is just 3 years. I reckon it got easier around 6-8 weeks. Mrs tittlemouse has excellent advice. Have you tried expressing from one breast at the same time as feeding with the other. I always get the most milk if I express like this first feed of the day.
The hot weather doesn't help as all my dd2 wants to do is feed. I think 3 weeks is the worst bit actually and if you can get to 1 month you'll start to find things get better as your older one gets used to the baby and you get used to managing 2 at once.
I find getting out for a walk to the park first thing helps to tire out dd1 so she's happier to chill out in the afternoon while i feed and means that dd2 has a sleep so i get a break from feeding. Good luck{smile]

mrstittlemouse-it is bllody hard isn't it! i do have a good support network, so i'm ok there. i just have found myself wanting on the next stage, but likewise i don't want to whish it away! how long b4 it gets easiyer??

ok ladies, thanks, i will give it ago and wiat for the six wk mark. i'm feeling a bit better about the fact i can only express a little bit. i thought i was weird!! lol x

It's possible, but it's difficult, especially when you're just starting (as you are). My Mum and my SIL tried mixed feeding (breast and bottle) and it really messed up the supply of breastmilk for both of them. They ended up giving up breastfeeding fairly soon after.

I can easily remember the early days with a toddler and a newborn - my youngest is 9 months now - and you have my sympathy. It does get easier, but it is completely normal to feel that a breastfed baby is constantly on the breast. Especially in this hot weather as she's going to be very thirsty. I promise that doesn't last forever though. Do you have anyone that can help you out with your toddler? Or take the baby out for a walk so that you can play with your toddler and stave off some of the jealousy?

I mixed fed ds2 from 6 weeks with no problems; carried on for 5 months.

I introduced one bottle feed of EBM a day from about 3 weeks. DS never had any nipple confusion.

I could only ever express an ounce or two very early on, so I would persevere and you'll find your supply will increase.