Dd 9 weeks...time for a bottle?

[MrsNooneNow]

Dd is ebf. I'm dying with exhaustion. If i give dd a bottle of formula will it mess up my supply? When is your milk supply ' safe' so to speak?

Been trying to express with a Medela pump but getting very little milk so looks like it's going to have to be formula.

I wish i had just ff now as I'm wrecked physically & emotionally. With my older dcs I was much more 'normal' by 9 weeks & they were all sleeping at least 6 or 7 hours. Last night was awful every couple of hours. She very sicky, which is worse if i lay her down to feed. I feel sick with tiredness. Dc all at home due to the Easter Holidays.

I can't go on like this...

Has she been diagnosed with reflux? Sicky + extra sicky when lying flat sounds like reflux.

Bottles either as a one off or as a regular thing, slowly introduced, will not mess up supply. You risk messing up supply if you give bottles after every feed (without proper guidance, some babies need topping up) or if you give a bottle every time you feel you "don't have enough" milk as this is a misunderstanding of how milk supply works.

Even if you decided to give bottles for a whole day and then went back to breastfeeding your supply would probably be fine, it's not as fragile as people think.

Have you spoken to your health visitor ? Have you any help especially during the night, who would do the formula feed ? How old are the other DC's ?

She's been prescribed Gaviscon but it's impossible to get her to take it. She sick on it. Tried doing it by bottle, syringe & spoon.

I will probably start to reduce the bf slowly.

I didn't think I would end up ebf. I'm glad I did but there's a lot about it I hate! I need routine, sleep & order!

I didn't do demand or breastfeeding with other dc so this is very different!

i thought i wouldn't be so tired but I'm physically drained. I feel weak. I'm eating constantly. I was back at my normal weight by 2 weeks & I'm now too slim. My normal clothed are lose.

I feel guilty for stopping - i wish I just gave ff like the others now, then I wouldn't feel so bad now.

No. Haven't seen hv since baby was 10 days. Other dc are 11,9&7. If dp is on an earlier he could give the formula. No help at all.

Did the GP prescribe the Gaviscon, is so go back to him/her. Mention your weight, perhaps you need a blood test to see if anything wrong ? I am wondering if even on formula the nights may be hell. I had a formula fed baby who never sleep more than 3 hours day or night until 5 months, then I had EBF who hardly slept at all, he didn't have any health issues every baby has their own routine, it is still early days yet. Are the DC's helping you with the housework etc ? Keep posting there is a lot of support on MN, best wishes to you all.

My GP congratulated me on my weight as i have an underactive thyroid but I've never had any problems with my weight. Dd was 8 lb.

I think it's the physical effects of bf I'm struggling with. It definitely drains me. I've never felt like this.

The dc are a nightmare. They are bored & I'm tired. The house is shocking so no play dates or visitors. It's horrible at the moment. I'm totally overwhelmed & exhausted. I resent the older dc & dp.

Found out today dp is working all over Easter just to make matters worse!

When did you go to see the GP last ? Please go back to see him/her.
When I breastfed I had a 20month old toddler as well but I don't remember being exhausted I am not sure if it is because you are breastfeeding and wonder if you would feel the same if baby was formula fed. Can you get the dc's to do little jobs about the house but don't worry about the house too much I think with 3 older kids and a baby you would need to be a super woman to keep it tidy. Is there any chance of outside help, a cleaner or a childminder even if for a few days.
Even though DP is working is he doing anything with the children ?