19 weeks ebf but how to introduce formula?

[CJMommy]

Ok, DD is now 19 weeks and ebf. However after 12 weeks of constant feeding due to an undiagnosed TT, pumping like a demon to get my supply up and now the 4 month sleep regression, not to mention a very active and demanding 3 year old, I am now officially knackered, on my knees and need a break. She still feeds 2 hrly and has only been going 2 hrly overnight since aged 16 weeks. She will not be put down, will only sleep in bed with us and will even object to her sling on most occasions.

She has also only gained 3 lbs since birth.

I have decided to introduce a bottle of formula and mix feed just so I can have a break. I hate pumping and can only get an ounce after twenty mins so don't want to go back down that route as I find it soul destroying!

Anyway, my supply appears to be ok so need some advice as to the most successful way to mix feed. Which formula, in your opinion is closest to breast milk and when would be the best time to give formula I.e the same time every day or could I vary it?

What else do I need to consider?

Any advice welcome!!

No formula is closer to breastmilk - there are strict guidelines on what can go in them so they're all pretty similar. Go for what's cheapest/most convenient for you, and don't worry about switching if a particular brand doesn't suit. We have used 3 different types.

I started doing a formula dreamfeed at around 4 months - meant I could do the bedtime feed and then go to bed, and DP could do the next feed. That's also a good feed to do as it's on you'll want to drop eventually - might as well drop a formula feed rather than a breastfeed. I found it useful to be able to reduce the feed oz by oz when we wanted to get ds sleeping through the night at 8 months, and now I'm just breastfeeding again (4 breastfeeds a day now so no bother really).

I would recommend trying Breastflow bottles though - they have a double teat so the baby has to squeeze and suck to get milk in a way that mimics the breastfeeding action. It's also a bit more work for them than a normal teat so they probably won't end up favouring the bottle.

Oh and at 5 months we got tough on night feeds, and limited them to 4 hourly - then it was good to know ds had had a full bottle at 10 or 11pm and so wasn't hungry when he woke 2 hours later. Gave me the confidence eventually to not feed between 11pm and 6am.

Thanks Rita. They all sound like good suggestions. Particularly the night feed as it's the one that can be dropped. Haven't actually gone out to buy any yet but will do tomorrow.