Combination Feeding

[jiji74]

I felt compelled to write about my recent experience. I had my little boy 4 wks ago and I am constantly googling for advice. I've inevitably got addicted to reading about other mothers experiences that reflect my own issues. I would dearly love to hear about others moms experiences of combination feeding. How often do they feed their LO formula? How much formula to they give? How old is their LO? My personal experience of BF has been challenging to say the least. I didn't give my son the best start as I naively thought bf was natural and there wasn't a knack. I didn't even know what latching on was...so this resulted in my LO losing 13.5% of his body weight and I ended up with bleeding cracked nipples. Luckily this was picked up by my MW and she sent a breast support worker and a pump around pronto. I still don't think I was doing it properly when my little boy got really poorly and we ended up in hospital where he was fighting an infection and was 'nil by mouth'. All this has just added to my stress to ensure I am feeding him properly to get some weight on him. I don't have the cracked nipples but I do find he is attached to me 24hrs a day. This was ok at first but recently I am wondering whether I am providing enough nourishment. He has started to get really fussy and I find it quite upsetting to see him trying to gnaw my shoulder after I have given him both boobs. I seem to have plenty first thing in the morning and then he drains me and I never seem to be 'full'. Well today I crumbled and gave him 2 fl oz of formula as we were both in tears. Similarly to other peoples experiences on internet he seemed so content after he'd been fed. It did fill him full of wind so I still had tears but i'd replaced the hunger cry for the windy cry. I am so close to giving up but am wondering if combination feeding is really as bad as some purport. I expressed so hopefully my supply wont be affected by my giving him a bottle. He has not been confused by the change from breast to bottle. I feel like i'm cheating and feel guilty about throwing the towel in but I would like to hear about other peoples experiences and whether they have combined fed their children for long periods of time. Thank you.

So sorry you've had a bad start - it sounds as though you haven't had great support from before your baby was born. Try not to think about whether your boobs seem "full", honestly: it's not an indication of anything as your body will be producing milk all the time. The more your baby feeds, the more you'll produce, so do just let your lo feed as much as he wants to, even if it feels as though you're switching him from one side to the other all day. If you want to carry on ebf, you could do with some support. Is there a bf cafe nearby, for example?

If you decide not to, you're not being a bad mother. If you're quite under-confident, however, it might be better to wait another couple of weeks when your supply will be better established so you can introduce the formula on your own terms rather than feeling forced into it.

Very best of luck with whatever you decide.

Thank you so much for your reply. I am going to contact my BSW again. I'm just embarrassed as she's been around a couple of times and I should have grasped this by now. I will ask if there are any breastfeeding groups in the area. I must admit there is some pressure from my family to give him a bottle - I feel like i'm depriving him and trying to juggle so much at the same time. However, the bottle just seems like the easy option and I would dearly love to get to the point where BF'ing is the easy option!!

Never feel bad about asking for help - they're there to help you - And in my experience live to get the world breastfeeding.

My ds is 8 weeks and we are mix feeding as we fix latch problems (TT snipped last week). I let him breastfeed as much as he wants from both boobs, stopping when he falls off (or if it's hurting too much). Then offer formula until he's had enough (3-4 oz usually but less when he's sleepy).

Good luck whatever you decide and stick to your instincts.

Don't feel bad for asking for help or that you should have "got it" by now!! It is totally normal for him to want to feed all the time at 4 weeks & if you want to ebf this is what you need to do. You asked for tales of combo feeding though so here is mine.

DD1 seemed to be a great feeder. I never had sore nipples or pain. I read alot and followed all the advise but her weight gain was awful. At 4 weeks I went into domperidone & spent the next fortnight in a near constant round of feeding, pumping & topping up. I could't leave the house, she was never content & I was an emotional & physical wreck. At 6 weeks, despite all that she had still only gained 5oz from birth. I was devasted but we added in formula top ups. She gained 21oz in 6 days! & I had a happy baby I could enjoy. I combo feed her til 13 weeks before switching fully to formula.

With DD2 at 2 weeks (despite all seemingly going well) she was still under birth weight. I knew I couldn't put us through it all again so introduced top ups. Always offered breast first in the beginning & let her cluster feed at the boob all evening, as she demanded until about 10weeks. She is 4 months today. I am still combo feeding. At the moment she has 3x6oz of formula each day which is half the total volume of formula the box suggests so at least 50% breas milk. She's above the 91st centile for weight, has slept through since 10 weeks. I am thrilled to still be breast feeding & not sure when I'll stop.

There is no right & wrong, only what is right for you. Good luck x

Hi jiji.
My dd is 5wks old & I started mixed feeding her last week due to a bad latch causing her painful wind & me sore nipples. I felt so bad about 'giving in' but it is proving to be the best decision for us, she is much more settled which in turn helps me & hubby relax & enjoy it all.
I express breastmilk 3 times a day & mix it into each 3-4oz of formula, probably a ratio of 1:3.
It works for us!

My DS is nearly 12 yo so afraid I can't really remember the details your are asking for, but just to tell you that combination can work very well if that is what's best for you and your lo. My DS had to go into Special Care after he was born due to a very long, complicated birth, and was tube fed for the first 4-5 days. I was pretty poorly, having had a rough pregnancy, and tough labour which ended in me being given a blood transfusion 3 days after the birth, so I never felt that I was fit enough to produce enough milk to keep (a very hungry) baby going, and being able to cope in myself. I was lucky that even after the tube and bottle feeding I was able to get bfing going, but he always had a bottle during the night, and as he got bigger, I introduced 1 in the afternoon too. I continued bf until he was 6 months.
BTW I had a much better pg and labour with DD 2 years later and ebf her until 15 months so just because you feel perhaps things aren't working this time, don't rule it out if you have another

jiji, so sorry to read your story :(

It is normal for a baby of this age to want to be close, feeding often, and this would be especially the case for a baby who's had a tricky start with a hospital stay...you are doing the right thing in responding to this need.

It is normal not to feel 'full' with a baby who is feeding often. If he gnaws your shoulder, put him on again - it's OK!! :)

Is his weight on a normal trajectory now?

have you spoken to any of the bf helplines? They will support you and not judge.