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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Want to give my growth spurting four week old her first bottle of formula this evening

91 replies

Cressida1979 · 10/11/2011 20:29

My DP thinks I am. She has been practically glued to my boobs since 5am this morning and was the same yesterday and I have nothing left! She's also very irritable and only sleeping in short bursts. I really want her to chug down a bottle and get some decent kip.

DP looked shocked when I suggested a bottle and said he thought we were waiting til she was 'much older' to introduce the odd bottle, and has now gone out to the pub. I may be a little jealous of this, am hankering after a glass of wine but it would obviously be wrong to quaff whilst breastfeeding!! Very tempted to break open the emergency Actimel whilst he's out...

BTW I like breastfeeding and plan to do so until I go back to work when DD is about 6 months, we are talking about the occasional formula feed here!

OP posts:
Kayano · 10/11/2011 20:32

Do what's right for you

gets popcorn and awaits militants

Oh that this thread has been put here Grin

thisisyesterday · 10/11/2011 20:32

personally it isn't something I would have done, would try other things first (putting her in sling, taking her for a walk, having a bath etc etc)

but I am not you, and if you need to take a break and are happy giving formula then you should do so!
i think your dp is a bit mean to say "no, don't do it" and then bugger off to the pub when you've clearly had a hard day though

coraltoes · 10/11/2011 20:33

Uh oh....

duckdodgers · 10/11/2011 20:33

Your boobs, you can do what you like.

Purpleroses · 10/11/2011 20:33

You might be fine - my eldest mixed fed for many months - best of both worlds really with breast and bottle, and I was happy to go on feeding him a bit til after a year.

My youngest on the other hand, once she'd got the hang of the bottle thought breasts were much to hard work and refused completely.

So it depends how you feel about the risk of having to stop breast feeding.

Also, neither of mine chugged down a bottle or anything like the first time I offered it - they chewed on the bottle and made a mess for several weeks first. So don't expect an instant miricle!

lukewarmmama · 10/11/2011 20:34

Why don't you post in Feeding? You'll get a more helpful response I think...

duckdodgers · 10/11/2011 20:34

Its been at least a week or 2 since there has been a good complete and utter riot debate about this.

DamnBamboo · 10/11/2011 20:34

A small drink whilst breastfeeding will do you no harm.

It's still full on at four weeks. So yes, you are likely to be pinned down for large parts of your day in this manner.

YANBU to give her formula if you want to, it's your choice of course.

Kayano you cynic Grin

Annpan88 · 10/11/2011 20:34

Its your call but its not recommended before 6 weeks due to the risk of nipple confusion. Your baby may be reluctant to go back to the breast and undo all the hard work you've done.

Formulas not poison but make sure its not a decision you regret.

And every breast feeder I know (including me) sees nothing wrong with the odd glass of wine.

travellingwilbury · 10/11/2011 20:35

I wouldn't blame you if you did at all , or had a glass of wine while bf tbh but she is probably doing this so that tomorrow your breasts make more milk than you ever thought humanly possible and if you give her a bottle it may bugger things up .

But it is 5 yrs since I have done all this and I know the feeling of just wanting to stick a bottle in rather than sit for another however many hours on the sofa with my boobs out .

Whatever you decide will be fine I reckon , and your dh can sod off with his opinions if he is just going to bugger off to the pub and leave you to it .

Gincognito · 10/11/2011 20:35

AIBU is the wrong place for this. There is no 'reasonable' or 'unreasonable' here, there just isn't

There is only you, your dp and your daughter and any decision you make is fine.

Why don't you repost this in the feeding section? A couple of things you've said make me think you could do with a little more info about growth spurts and feeding. With all the facts you can then make a decision that suits all of you.

I do think your dp is BU though, telling you how to feed your DD and then buggering off to the pub. I would not have been mightily impressed.

Iggly · 10/11/2011 20:35

Why are you asking? Honestly?

And you can have some wine when BF - the odd small glass is ok.

It is bloody tough in the first few weeks - oh I remember. DH would take DS after he's been feeding forever and I didnt think I had anything left. That's what your DH should be doing, not jeffing off.

101North · 10/11/2011 20:35

4 weeks. Giving her a bottle is your choice but it won't do your boobs any good, they gonna be going wild!

JoinTheDots · 10/11/2011 20:35

You do know it is ok to have a glass of wine while feeding?

You are not being unreasonable to feed your baby in whichever way you want though. Keep in mind she might be a bottle refuser though - mine was!

AppleCider · 10/11/2011 20:35

If it is getting you down, and I had exactly the same with one of mine, tbh it is a relief to give a bottle.

Agree with do what you feel best. It is certainly not a crime.

wadadlis · 10/11/2011 20:35

I think your husband is being totally unsupportive. Do whatever helps you get by. He should be at home doing the bottle for you while you put your feet up.
And you can drink if you pump afterwards...
Red wine is good for you...

coraltoes · 10/11/2011 20:36

Oops meant to type more!

Cannot believe your DP has gone to the pub after the day you have had! THAT'S the issue here, not one carton of actimel. In your shoes, I'd do the formula, get some sleep and if he doesn't like it he can stick around next time to support you through the demands it takes on your energy. Actually if he doesn't like it he can just fuck off. Breast feeding is hard work at the start and he cannot expect you to just soldier on if you are wiped out, yet bugger off and have a pint and a break. When do you get your break?!

suzikettles · 10/11/2011 20:36

You can have a glass of wine while you're bf btw. Nowt wrong with that.

StrandedBear · 10/11/2011 20:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

worraliberty · 10/11/2011 20:37

Do what you want, it's your baby.

Gincognito · 10/11/2011 20:37

And I think a small glass of Wine would be fine!

Don't honestly think this is the kind of OP to inspire militancy, personally. She's not lit the touch paper and run, she's looking for advice...just in (IMO) the wrong place.

suzikettles · 10/11/2011 20:37

Isn't Actimel a yoghurt Confused

LizCojones · 10/11/2011 20:38

If it's what you want to do, then do it.
At 4 weeks, it's completely normal for a baby to cluster feed.
I think in your shoes, I would ask your dp to give the pub a miss for now, then see how you get on when you feel fully supported.

Gincognito · 10/11/2011 20:38

:o

WoTmania · 10/11/2011 20:40

YWNBU but a)you can drink and BF, b)if she's growth spurting she might not settle after the bottle and c)He's BU to go off down the pub if she's being growthspurty. He should be around to wait on you hand and foot and maybe give her cuddles for a bit so you get some rest.

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