Thinking of giving up BF my 6mo but can't really decide

[coffeeandcream]

I'd just like some thoughts please.

My 6mo DS is getting harder and harder to breast feed. He wriggles and worms about, bites me, hits my boob, pulls my clothing, and fusses a lot. This is annoying in the privacy of my own home but is very awkward and diffucult to manage when we're out and about. He's Not like this at all feeds but I'm really not enjoying feeding him the way I used to.

I haven't had a restful nights sleep since my second trimester of pregnancy and I'm exhausted (yes, I know that's part of being mum to a little baby!).

DH and I have some events coming up when DS will be with his nan for the whole day and taking a breast pump with me on these days would be really, really impractical.

I just wonder whether switching to formula would mean DH and GPs could be more hands on with DS (which they would love) and I could have a little more rest and freedom. I'm really pleased I've managed to nurse him for this long but part of me feels I've 'had enough'.

Any thoughts? Thanks

I haven't stopped yet so maybe not the best to give advice but when my DD goes to nursery in a few weeks she'll be mixed fed starting to have some formula in the day.

I have thought about stopping as the pinching etc. can be annoying but the morning/evening feeds are still enjoyable - basically when sleepy or calm! It would seem perhaps introducing a bit of formula to see how you both get on might be an idea? At 6 months I was doing KIT days and didn't really have to pump if away for the day. This way other people can help with feeding if you want and LO will get used to it as well as you. You might be happy to switch or might want to mix feed for a while.

GL :)

Thank you noway, I very occasionally give DS formula which he will take.

I'm worrying about my breasts getting engorged and painful so I suppose mixed feeding for a while to allow time to adjust could help.

I know this is an emotive topic, but I feel like I have a duty almost to breast feed as we're told that's what's best. Hmmm....

It's a decision that is completely down to you. Its doesn't need to change from all to nothing! Breastfeeding did help me 're connect' with my son after I started work part time and missed him like mad and knowing that only I could do that for him made me in s selfish way feel good. But that's my opinion, of course there's heaps if ways you will still bond when bottle feeding. Well done for going so far!

Thanks lion, I know what you mean about enjoying it being something only I can do for him. It's just not as enjoyable as it used to be

im really pleased to read this, im having exactly the same dilemma only my ds is only 3 months.
I don't really enjoy feeding him if im honest and that's hard to admit in rl.
I think im going to wait until after our holiday because vi dont want the hassle or expense of formula. he will be about 20wks then so could tie in with starting solids too.

I think I lot of this coincided with started to wean him, it's like milk just isn't enough anymore. He really enjoys his fruit puréed and can demolish a whole pouch of Ella's Kitchen!

So maybe combining a switch to formula with weaning is the way to go letitbeme

Letitbeme you will need to use formula till he's one, if you stop bf (forgive me if I've misunderstood your post)
My ds1 was older when I returned to work, but he had milk in bottles during the day and reunited with me when I came home with a bf, then one more before bed. I kept that up for a year so your body really can adapt to a lot of different milk requirements!
I've just spend 36 hours away from ds2 and did need to bring a pump. What I bring is the top half of a manual pump (no bottle) and litterally just pump enough away into the bath/sink in the hotel. That makes it much smaller to take away with you.
I wonder about the fidgeting etc. Do you think there are times when he really isn't hungry enough for milk? Could you swap areound when he gets milk or solids? Solids may be more attractive to him now, but he still needs milk in some form.

..Meant to say, getting to 6 months is a great achievement in itself, and not a problem if you decide to switch to ff. For myself, bf has always got so much easier post-6 months, that I consider the later months (ease of not having bottles to sterilise and make up) a reward for the hard work of the early months

Did you say you're pregnant? Then that will be ashore part of a) why he's fussing and b) who it's uncomfortable.

Bf made my skin crawl when feeding my first while pregnant with dc2. I cut right down to bedtime feeds then stopped just before age was born. If ds wasn't intolerant to formuka I'd have stopped completely.

*a huge, not ashore!

No, am definitely not pregnant creature!

I was wondering whether the milk just doesn't flow fast enough and it's making him cross and frustrated. I'm thinking I might start combination feeding to see how we get on and whether that makes it better for both of us.

I just feel guilty. I can bf DS so feel I should IYKWIM. Hmm.

I never want to influence people either way when I hear them asking this question, because I was very keen on quitting at the 6-month mark (I remember the fidgeting - SO annoying). BUT knowing what I know now it would have been a crying shame if I'd stopped then. For me breastfeeding was 'fine, whatever, if I must' up until about 6 months. After 6 months: easy and brilliant. Also really helped to connect with DD once I went back to work. Baby sleeps a bit more due to solids and increasing activity, and it's just so much less full on.

Also I really do think that I would be kicking myself if I had to make up bottles every day after breastfeeding. (I think if you ff from the start it's just second nature, but switching at 6 months - you might feel the extra effort).

That said, formula is a perfectly good food to introduce to your baby around 6 months, and combination feeding can be so handy. I often put formula in DD's porridge, if I had a carton open, and for a few months she had 1 bottle of formula a day at the childminder's (until she dropped it). I still breastfed for 13months!

Maybe cut down then to certain times of the day. Are some feeds better than others? I only fed before naps, bedtime and in the morning by that age ie all at home. If out, they wouldn't feed properly so I didn't bother.

yes I did mean formula feed from weaning not cows milk or anything! I fed ds 1 for a year and he never had a bottle at all either expressed or formula. This time im finding it hard and like someone else described, the physical act is unpleasant which sounds awful because ds2 obviously needs this nourishment and nurturing, it's so natural.

I'm sure it's much harder with DC2 as you don't just have all the time you probably did first time. You shouldn't feel guilty, you've done amazingly well :). I think swapping one feed for formula and seeing how you feel sounds like the thing to do - baby steps then you can still play it either way.

GL :)

Thanks everyone for your replies.

After another day of struggling to comfortably feed DS I've decided that on Friday afternoon we're switching to formula. This way I have a few days to mentally unwind from it and to try to enjoy it before we stop. Plus DH can help over the weekend and I might even get a full nights sleep.

I don't think I'll regret my decision, it just feels like the right time now.