Anyone switched from breast to bottle at 3 weeks ish?

[twolittleboysonetiredmum]

Here's the situation:
On dc3, breastfed other two exclusively up to 6 mths when we switched to formula as I returned to work. Very well read on benefits of both types of feeding and get that breastfeeding is best. However.
I am really struggling this time. Dc3 feeds fine. She's much like my other two in that she has to sleep on me at the moment. Again, fine. She's not well either which has meant no sleeping in her cot at all. But I feel like I'm going to scream - I need to put her down. My other two are missing out as she's always feeding. I'm sick of getting my horrendously oversized boobs out every two hours or so. I'm sick of the smell of milk on me and breast pads. I'm generally just utterly sick of it and am tired too.
What is it like switching to formula this early on? Is it an easy transition in your experience? Am I opening myself up to other worse problems? (Eg colic, reflux, dairy intolerance etc). She'll be switching to formula at 5 mths isn anyway for work so it's just an earlier transition but I am concerned it might cause her problems. And how often would she need feeding? Is it s nightmare when this little and no routine? Thank you

I swapped to.mixed feeding at about three weeks and continued for eight months. My little girl was very content and it gave a chance for DH and GC to feed her occasionally. I also did not suffer the guilt I felt when I had to stop BF my son completely at only a few weeks old. My DD's friends have Perfect Prep machines for making bottles and they are amazing . Cuts out a lot of the faff of preparing bottles. Good luck with whatever you choose.
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OP, I FF and have done from the start.

With regards to your thoughts on more structured feeding with FF, I fed on demand to start with but gradually DD fell into her own routine, roughly every 3 hours. It's still a bit on demand eg one feed she'll take maybe 4oz then 2 hours later she'll want another bottle and drain 6oz. On the whole it's very much 3hrly feeds (and boy does she let me know about it if I'm running late with that bottle!)

Oh and just as a thought, I don't find it a faff going out either. With all the ready made cartons these days it's easy to just pack a bottle/carton/bib and go.

Honestly, I have less in my changing bag than my bf-ing friend does

Good luck with whatever route you decide

I am currently bf a third child (9 weeks old) and I have had moments like the OP where I have wanted to give up and switch to formula. I have persevered mainly because we have a family history of allergies so breast really is best in my case but it has been bloody hard at times.
I have eased my 'suffering' of having baby constantly attached to me feeding by expressing a bottle once a day so that DH can do one of the feeds. I have bought a Medela manual pump which was only about £25. Would that be a possibility for you OP? Do bear in mind that some babies don't take to the bottle though as they prefer to suckle at the breast. My DS won't take the Bottle if I am around and will just scream for me and my boob so DH has to take DS to another room to feed him. Of course your baby might not be so bothered about having a bottle and might be more happy to take it.

Don't feel guilty if you do decide to use formula though as it will nourish your baby just fine and as long as there is no family allergy history your baby should be just fine. But do introduce bottles slowly as you might otherwise end up with engorged breasts which will be another problem that you don't need.

Will your baby sleep on your DH to give you a break after he has been fed?

And it's as well that we have a family history of allergies because I am one of those that really hate mixing formula and making baby wait whilst his milk cools down to the correct temperature plus I'm a lazy cow and hate washing and sterilising endless bottles so one each day is my limit

I switched from bf to ff at this exact stage with ds2. Also felt guilty but it was the best thing I've ever done. I went for aptimil and I've not got a perfectly healthy 15 month old ds.

I was on my knees with bf, the sheer relief of not having to choose between a shower or sleep when I finally got him to sleep was incredible. Could pass the workload on to dp and grandparents who were more than happy to feed their grandson. I even started to get proper breaks as they could take him out for a wee while.

I'd go for it and don't look back. Of course baby comes first but if you're well being is suffering then you have to put yourself first. I firmly believe a happy mum = happy baby.