Combination feeding problems - no routine

[PandaSpaniel]

My DS is 14 weeks old and I pretty much exclusively breast fed for 11 weeks with just the odd bottle of formula given.

I have combination fed for the past couple of weeks - given formula most of the time and BF for first morning feed and around 9pm.

He seemed quite happy with this but he still doesn't have a good routine and only goes 3 to 4 hours between feeds day and night. I am thinking of upping the breast feeding at night mainly cos am too tired to be arsed getting his bottle ready.

Has anyone got any hints or advice of getting him into a routine and getting him to go longer between feeds?

Hmm. Thats a shame. Has he had jabs recently, that always made my two off their food.

It might be worth going to 3 hours during the day and hope for 4 at night eg
6.30
9.30am
12.30pm
3.30pm
6.30pm
10.30pm
2.30am

Also I used to bf morning, bf +top up mid morning and afternoon, then the bedtime bottles and dreamfeed were ff only. Seemed to fill them up more (although I know there is no supposed evidence for this but I found ff would fill them up for 4 hours but bf for 2-3)

No he had jabs 2 weeks ago and isn't ill. I think he just prefers BF and is being awkward with the bottle. However he doesn't take more from the bottle even if I am not there.

Thinking of exclusively BFing again. I wanted to combination feed as on some meds but have been told they are perfectly safe when BFing and also so I could have a break and some sleep but obviously thats not working. He is getting to the point of flat out refusing feeds.

What do I do? Keep persevering with FF or just breast feed?

I am no bf expert but I did ask the same question when my DTs were about 12 weeks old as I wanted to move to ebf.

Basically the problem is that your supply will not be sufficient to ebf so you have to work hard to get it back up. So for every feed, you would need to put baby on breast first, then give a small ff/ebm topup (reducing these topups very gradually like 1oz per day, put baby back on breast after bottle, express every couple of hours. I tried but I just couldn't do it with two of them, although I did manage to drop one or two bottlefeeds. You might find it easier as you were ebf until a couple of weeks ago.

There was an article on kellymom here on reducing formula feeds:
www.mother-2-mother.com/supplement.htm#wean

You could also discuss with a breastfeeding counseller.

www.mother-2-mother.com/supplement.htm#wean

Been lucky that my milk supply hasn't gone down too much. I spent yesterday with baby feeding on demand and he seemed satisfied. Am spending all day today doing the same. He already seems less whingy.

I have had a word with BFing consultant and she advised to leave the bottle for now and just BF with the intention of reintroducing the bottle at a later stage.
Also to wait and see if he gets into a natural routine.

It is hard in the short term, as still not getting sleep but hopefully long term I will have a happy baby that finds a routine that suits us both.

You are right to be proud Panda! Bravo! The vast majority give up bf early on, and combo feeding isn't ever recommended. For me it was the only way to continue bf so even though it's harder, it has worked for me. I would encourage anyone to do it who isn't able to fully bf.

I think there are always good and bad days, even a few months in. He might stop the 2am naturally as he's not v hungry. DD did that over the space of a week.

sorry, missed your most recent messages.

Sorry DS is refusing the bottle. DD actually did that too and it was very nerve racking. I know she preferred the breast (as all babies would I presume) and maybe was trying to increase my supply to EBF. However it didn't work and she was clearly hungry and crying, got dehydrated and gave up after 3 days. We went back to normal combo then.

Glad you've had some advice and your suypply is good - all positive. You will be fine to reintroduce the bottle so don't worry about that. Sounds like you're doing really well!

Well he is doing good, putting weight on and wet nappies etc.

I am not doing so good tho. He is only having 2 and a half to 3 hours from the end of one feed to the next feed day and night. I am exhausted and cranky and really want to Bottle feed so I can sleep. Just not coping

Well just to update, Iam now bottle feeding him.
Mainly expressed BM but the odd bit of formula to top up.

It is working very well. He is taking the bottle fine, I think the daily switch between nipple and teat was really confusing him.

Bit sad that I am not BFing, but he is now sleeping 4 hours between feeds and I feel much more relaxed as I am getting some sleep and know he is getting enough food.

I am amazed at how much I am able to express. Between 3 and 4 oz off each side, more than enough for his feeds at the moment.