How to mix Breastfeeding with Formula to have a life

[Vangough]

I would welcome any help with introducing formula feeds to supplement BF'ing. I have BF for 14 weeks and really want to combine with bottle to get a bit more freedom. I've also had a blocked duct for a month now which won't heal so BFs are painful too. I don't want to give up entirely, I just need a break twice a day !! I tried mixed feeds a week or so ago but got into a terrible muddle as I didn't know what I was going to do at each feed ! thankfully it hasn't affected my supply so I am now back to BF'ing. I'd like to know which feeds are best to drop first and how would I go about this? My DD is 14 weeks and nearly 12lb, healthy and (very) alert My DH has been giving the 11pm dreamfeed as formula for the last month which is going fine (she only takes 150ml max, somtimes less). I'd like to supplement 2 other feeds during the day if I can, or supplement one for a month or so then another after that. Help please !

I used to BF fully except the 6 o,clock feed (which was when I tended to be most tired and milk flow not so good), and it worked well. Not sure this would fit in with your 11pm bottle feed as it would give too long a break from breastfeeding - unless you changed the 11pm to BF and then perhaps the early morning one to bottle - giving you 2 bottle feeds a day. Good luck - I found mixing breast and bottle worked really well. It wasn't really recommended when I did it, but it enabled me to keep on BF, and have a bit of freedom.

I did this very successfully. I swapped one feed at a time and took about a week for it to settle, and then swapped another. I did the dream feed first, like you, then I think the mid morning one. I don't think it really matters what order you do it in. Eventually, I only bf my ds for the first feed in the morning, which could vary from 5am to half 6. The rest were bottles on a fairly steady 4 hour schedule. Ds just dropped the bf by himself at about 5 months, when he made it abundantly clear he was ready to start solids. Obviously there is the issue that demand may affect supply, but for me it didn't, and (contraversially!!) even if it had I would have just switched fully, because I really hated breast feeding, could never get comfortable, except the morning one when we fed lying down in bed and invariably both dropped off!!! My ds always took an age with bf too, which was a pain. I was much, much happier mixed feeding, and I always feel that happy mum=happy baby! hth. Let us know how you get on.

Just the obligatory post to warn you that replacing BFs with formula will have a negative impact on your supply and may in some cases lead to winding-down of BFing entirely.

You probably already know this but if you didn't, then it might help you work things out

I agree at 3 months I began to find bf a chore again, but I kept going and it soon got easier. I'm still going at 9 months and I find it really enjoyable now. She gets formula when she's at nursery 2 days a week. I read somewhere that bf after a while makes you produce some kind of happy hormone.

If you choose to introduce ff slowly then why not slow your life down a bit and enjoy some you time. Like feet up and a guinness (with ribena) at 5.30 for a dose of neighbours, worked wonders for me. Tell dh you need some r&r as your working hard making food for your baby, he can get the dinner on

Thanks for the help. I think I will slowly introduce another FF early afternoon. I am even more keen to mix feeds as my HV weighed my DD this week (after only 6 days from last weigh) to check all was well with me just BF'ing and she had lost 2oz ! It was actually really annoying as I would say the last 6 days she had (I thought) BF really well and happily ! This has only encouraged me to again try mixed feeds as when I did (albeit in a muddle) before she still gained more weight and given she's only little (25th percentile) I'd like her to catch up a bit. I guess part of this is accepting my time of BFing is slowing down. My DH and I are renovating our house and living with in-laws at the moment so our lives are manic which I am sure is half of our problem. I can't remember the last time I relaxed or wasn't researching kitchens online! If I had more time I would BF longer but I also have to admit I don't like being tied down and find it claustrophic. Having said that I felt a bit sad when she took the bottle instead of me !! can't win. I think I have to get past the 'guilt' so many mothers put on you to BF for months and months. I've never taken to it naturally (my DH may disagree) but did it because I wanted to do the best for DD. Is it so bad that I need some more time now after 3 1/2 months ??

whatever you do, don't let yourself feel guilty about your circumstances... I beat myself up for ages for having to mix BF and FF, which I did from around 3 weeks till 6 months plus, since DS was losing weight rapidly on just BF... Morning and evening (before the 11pm ish) feed were BF only and the others were all BF (or expressed BM in a bottle) first and then formula bottle to top up...if you're worried about your BM supply deteriorating, then you could always try this, and then you'll know the baby's getting some BM...best of luck

i don't think it matters which ones you drop - keep the easiest ones. try to be consistant though, and you'll soon produce milk for the right times.

if you are worried she's not getting enough, then FF will reduce your supply, and it'll be hard to get back, so make sure you're happy with that.

i started to mix 3 weeks ago (DS is 19 wks) and has really changed my life. don't feel guilty, happy mum=happy baby so do what is right for you. you've given him so much already.