Feeding twice a day at 16 weeks

[fiveweeksandcounting]

DS is 16 weeks and I'm trying to cut down on BF, I can't put into words why but I just don't want to feed him throughout the day now. How realistic at this point would it be to maintain a supply with just morning and evening feeds plus night if he wakes up which he isn't at the moment?

I can't bring myself to stop feeding altogether, it seems like waste of good milk, but I really don't want to feed during the day anymore.

I assume you'll be giving expressed milk or formula in the meantime?

How do you feel when BF in the day?

yes yes of course. He generally has BF 6am, 8am then bottles 11am, 2pm, 5pm and BF split over 6/6.30pm

I think that the issue is that I am fed up the to the back teeth of feeding every 2 hours, having to think about what I'm wearing and generally feeling totally tied down when I have 2 other children. I know it's selfish but that's the truth of the matter.

DS loves BF so I don't feel that I can take it away from him completely and when it's nic and quiet and he's all snuggly it's lovely but I just don't want to be doing it full time.

but surely bottles are more work than breastfeeding because as well as the actual sitting and feeding you need to wash and sterilise bottles too?

I understand that you must negotiate your own feelings with DC. Understandable. accceptable. I think it sounds like you are on the right track.You are so lucky your DC takes a bottle...mine does not...am sure it will work out as I too don't want to do it full time but must

I know what you mean - although I've only got one, I've found it hard at this age - my DS was so distractable and it was impossible. I used to express as much easier.

To be honest, I suspect your supply might drop with just two feeds a day unless you're expressing as well, particularly as no night feeds.

Could you be flexible and give BF if you're at home and bottles when out?

I think it does get easier though as they get older - feeds spread out and they get faster at feeding. How do you feel about giving it a couple more weeks and then deciding?

Thanks for all your comments. I don't find bottle feeding much more trouble, I FF #1 from a week and #2 from 12 weeks so it's pretty much second nature to sterlise and it's just part of my morning routine. I am one of those who does find bottle feeding easier and quite satisfying too.

I did just bottles on friday but then we were in Ikea on Sat and I had left the changing bag in the car so BF came into its own and fed DS but he has started that bobbing on and off and looking around thing and I had to go to their nursing area to get him to feed properly and I'm whilst I have fed all over the place I'm starting to get self consious (sp) when he's farting about. I know I shouldn't and I know that BF in public is fine etc etc etc but it's becoming a less than enjoyable experience.

I mean how much can supply deal with if I chop and change what I do on a regular basis ie if home all day BF and then give bottles if out and about.

I just don't know what to do I just know that I dont want to BF exclusively and I don't want to go on long term. I don't have any friends currently BF either, those I know who have small babies are FF and most of my friends have children the same age as my big ones so well past the BF stage.

I'm not sure how your supply will cope with the switching TBH.

It sounds like you would like to carry on but find public feeding difficult (I myself havent done it in 7 months - DS is 9.5 months).

You could introduce bottles and see what happens? If you notice a drop in supply, you could up the BF again. Your DS may end up preferring the bottle though, taking the decision out of your hands?