Mix feeding advice please..

[girlsyearapart]

Hi all,

I have just had dd3 and am mix feeding.
My previous experiences of bf ing haven't been too great- dd1 I managed 2wks ebf where my nipples ended up wrecked and painful, she generally disliked milk (that extended to several types of formula and cows milk) and I ended up in a sobbing heap on the bathroom floor whist dh formula fed her..

Dd2 was much better at feeding but a traumatic pph and MROP followed by blood transfusion meant I was pretty much 'out of it' for nearly a week after the birth. I did perhaps another week of mix feeding then gave up. She had awful excema and has multiple allergies so ended up on hypo allergenic formula.

Anyway I have M.S which can make me very tired so the only way of giving the bf a longer try is to mix feed.

So far we seem to be doing ok but I feel a bit clueless about the whole thing..
Anyone else successfully mix fed from the beginning?

She is only 5 days old so milk just coming in I think.

So tips/advice/general support please?

I did do mixed feeding for two months and I consider it successful. DD weaned herself off the breast (I guess it's normal as the bottle is easier).

My style was to offer the breast then give a topup of formula. Not the best way, though, as the supply (which wasn't great anyway) quickly stopped meeting her needs.

I guess the best way would be to make sure you feed at night to keep the supply up. But the most important thing is not to get stressed as that is the worst thing you can do. And eat, drink, put your feet up as much as you can.

You're doing a great job!

gya no advice sorry but just wanted to say congratulations on your dd3 will hop off and look for your birth announcement

I think your best bet is to pick a couple of feeds a day ie mid morning and mid afternoon and to keep those as bottles and BF on demand the rest of the time making sure that you BF in between bottles and try to do a night feed so that you don't go too long between BF.

I am mix feeding my 4 month old and have been since about 6 weeks, initially with one bottle at 11pm and latterly with a total of 3 bottles and 3-4 bf's ie 5am BF, 8am BF, 11am 6oz bottle 3pm 6oz bottle, 5.45 / 6.30 split BF, 11pm 6oz bottle and an occasional BF at lunchtime if he needs it to get to sleep. It's working really well but I didn't do it until a) I thought my supply could handle it and b) I knew that if he prefered bottles I wasn't going to be too distressed.

Thanks all.

I will keep trying.

I know I won't be upset this time as I let it get to me too much the first time I have a totally different mindset this time.

Thanks stealth didn't do birth announcement but she is Matilda Queenie born 11.05 Sunday.

lovely name