Someone give me words of encouragement please

[IcouldstillbeJoseph]

DD is my 2nd DC - I only managed 7 wks BF with DS. I've very pleased to be at 28 weeks now, ebf.

But I'm starting to feel like its fucking killing me. DD has a slight developmental delay which means she can't BLW very effectively yet (rejects all attempts with spoon/purée) but her appetite is definitely there. Night waking has increased to 2-4 feeds now.
I gave 7oz of ebm last night to see if the sheer volume helped - nope.

So now I'm debating whether to try a bottle of formula to see if I can get some sleep. But I really wanted to do a year ebf. But sleep deprivation is fogging me and sapping my determination.

I wouldn't worry about introducing formula at 28 weeks, as you will be giving solid food as well, so the "exclusive" part of bf no longer applies iyswim. If you continue with some bfeeding, you will still be conferring the benefits to your dd.

It seems illogical to me to worry about some formula when there is a variety of food in the mix as well.

Yes, that's a good point! I may try a bottle in the evening to see if it helps..

Mixed feeding has made a significant change to us! DD is 18 weeks. I was BF her and giving her a bottle of EBM around bath time. She would come to me after bath and feed to sleep (no chance of settling her any other way) which could be up to 10pm.

The last week or so she's having a bottle of formula at that time and she's settling 1-2 hours earlier! Tonight she's settled at 7.40pm. She still wants boob but she seems full and more settled.

Ps well done for EBF for so long!

Thank you - and you!
Glad you are getting some sleep...

I did mixed feeding too and introduced a bottle at bedtime, it really worked well for us. Good luck and well done for getting so far with it.