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Infant feeding

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

Thinking of introducing bottle feed to week old - any advice?

6 replies

Mandymoo · 11/07/2006 20:06

DS is 9 wks and feeds ALL evening! Was thinking about may be introducing a formula bottle feed at 6pm ish and see what happens

Is 9 weeks too soon?

TIA

OP posts:
spinach · 11/07/2006 20:50

i personally wouldnt as i would be worried about it interferring with my milk supply.. my mw told me i should bf for at least 3 months before changing anything... i stuck with bf anyway as it was easier for me.

Depends why you want to do it, if you think it'll fill baby up/make baby sleep, thats not usually the case. If its to give yourself a break could you try expressing?

tiktok · 11/07/2006 23:06

Mandy, what are you hoping will happen with the introduction of a bottle?

The 'cluster feeding' you describe is normal at this age, though it can feel very demanding. It does not last forever

There are measurable health benefits in exclusively bf to 6 mths.

mears · 11/07/2006 23:09

I wouldn't do it personally. As Tiktok says this cluster feeding only lasts for a short while in a baby's life. Park yourself in front of the telly and relax. Introducing formula can negate some of the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding. Not worth it IMO.

mammaduck · 11/07/2006 23:34

Ditto IMO.

Please believe us when we say it will settle down. My littlun was just the same, but by 2.5/3 months this had settled down and he was sleeping 8/9 hour stretches at night, just waking up for one or at most two night-feeds.

Everyone has this idea that a bottle-feed in the evening will magically make a baby sleep through - it won't! Sleeping through is as much about the baby learning to cope with being separated from mum at night as it is coping without food. It's a maturity thing and you can't expect a really wee baby to manage it!

If you're not having any probs with breast-feeding other than he's doing it a lot, just stay with it and enjoy it! It's brilliant bonding for you and him, and whilst you're breastfeeding you definitely can't be expected to do anything else like cook so I sincerely hope you're being waited on hand and foot!

It seems like you'll never do anything other than breastfeed at the moment, but it passes really frighteningly quickly. I felt exactly the same, but then all of a sudden there I was with a fully weaned 8 month old who only had 2 breastfeeds per day (first thing in the morning and last thing at night). It's not even a whole year - just a few months in your lifetime is nothing, but if you stick at the breastfeeding for your littlun until he's ready for the solid stuff, you'll have done him and yourself proud and you'll feel totally brilliant about it!

Good luck and remember to come back if you need more support - or find a breastfeeding support group. Your HV should know if there's one near you. They're really good just for a chat and a meet-up as well as getting lots of advice on breastfeeding.

northender · 11/07/2006 23:36

I remember that stage only too well and how completely knackering it was. It does pass and is soooo well worth persevering with for all the reasons already given. Good luck

moondog · 11/07/2006 23:47

How about expressing and booking a night off with dh?
Enjoy the chance to sit with feet up while you can.Those days are long gone with me.
If I have anything to read,like the daily paper,it comes in the car with me so I can read snatches at the lights.
Oooh for those leisurely hours sitting feet up (althoguh I know it was tedious at time)
My advice would be to hang in there,it really does get easier.

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