FF- routines

[Cinnamon84]

Have really tried to get the hang of bfing but think I'm going to give up as its so painful- have had posterior tt snipped, didn't make much difference, still chomps with nipple shields, have been told latch is good and he feeds beautifully... Yet it's so painful, he now won't feed off one breast and he never seems satisfied. So think we are going to switch to express milk and FF bottle feeding. One of the reasons I don't want to is because sterilising bottles, warming up milk etc seems like such a faff but people do it. I wondered if anyone could share their routine so I can get an idea of what it will be like? DS will be 4 weeks on Monday.

Have you seen anyone locally for breastfeeding guidance to see if they can help your technique at all? You've done amazing - 4 weeks already. It would be a shame to give it up now xxx

Yeah Ive been to 2 different bf clinics, 2 HVs, 1 bf peer supporter and a private lactation consultant- all have said latch is good. I thought it would get easier but I find I make a bit of progress over a couple of days followed by more days of it being painful and ds being miserable. I dread each feed and this morning found myself not wanting to spend time with him as he'll only want to feed. I feel guilty as I'm not enjoying these early days with him so maybe switching to FF is the solution

wow cinnamon84 i could have written your post! if one more person tells me to try Lansinoh I will cry (again)

Sorry I haven't got any experience with breastfeeding but I do know a really really good breastfeeding councellor if you want her details? Xxx

When mine were that little I sterilised the six bottles and filled three of them with boiled water (boiled on the hob and let roll for a min or so iirc) and left them in the fridge. Then as baby ate every two to.three hrs and formula can be made a bit in advance I'd guess a bottle would be needed in the next 30min, use an empty sterilised bottle (put them together empty and they stay sterilized) put in 3 scoops and approx 30ml / 1oz of boiling water (it had to be hot as this sterilises the powder) and then add the remaining 60 ml / 2 oz of cold water from the water already in the fridge.
In the early days I needed 8-9 bottles a day so two runs of the sterilized but it drops quite quickly as they take bigger feeds.
I continued to feed on demand for dc2, dc1 had to be woken and fed every 3 hrs, bit your hv should advise you based on your dc's size and growth.

Good luck.

Isthistoonosy thanks for your detailed response, I'm sure once/if we make the switch it will take a bit of getting used to but will get easier.

Brittanyspears, Yep I've had that a lot! How are you doing now? Did you make the switch? We are still perserveing, I feel like there's a new problem each day though, one is that the bottle my dp uses for his feed of emb in the evening makes the milk come out really fast so ds has a big meltdown at the start of each feed, or that I just don't have enough milk for him.. Today I'm convinced the nipple shields are what's causing the pain but have just been battling with ds trying to get him to latch on without them.... Can't wait to switch to solids

No problem hope it works out for you.

I had issues with breastfeeding and have been mix feeding dd since she was four weeks. It took me a little while to get into a routine that works best for me, but this is what I've been doing for a while now (dd is now 12 weeks):

I boil the kettle and add half the water needed for dds feed into my bottles, before adding the powder about half an hour later as it needs to be hot but not too hot. I then put them into the fridge, and when I need one add the other half of water (boiling this time) and formula. This way (at least for my dd) it's at the perfect temperature she likes it. I do this about twice a day as I don't like the formula in the fridge for too long.

I also love using mam self sterilising anti-colic bottles - they are so easy to sterilise and dd took to them right away. They also have pretty designs

6 mam bottles (self sterilise in microwave). Perfect prep machine (in kitchen during day and took to bedroom at night)
Bottles of ready made formula for out and about.

I gave up breast feeding for a number of medical reasons. I hated breast feeding and was so miserable doing it and I was both relieved and rejected when DD started to refuse the boob.

For me life is so much easier for me now.

After bottles are used, they are taken part and popped into the dish washer. When then dishwasher is finished I run the electric steriliser, I normally need to do it twice to accommodate all the stuff. I set the steriliser off and leave it an then come back when I am ready. Bottles are put back together and put in the fridge except one which I keep on the bench.

Baby wakes for feed. I pop into the kitchen use my perfect prep machine using the bottle on the bench. Get new bottle out for next time. Done.

I use the prepared milk when out abd about.

cinnamon84 i am still at it. Taking it day by day. Bit of pumped milk at night and the odd formula bottle at night too. Ive been using the ready filled ready made bottles for ease. But they would be expensive if used every day. Gah! Its so hard!

I had terrible problems breastfeeding despite all the support in the world and found advice about FF was hard to come by which upset me a lot (as if I was doing something I shouldn't be!).
I was worried about the faff of bottles but it actually isn't that bad. I'd buy one or two bottles, then once you know the baby will take them happily, buy another 6. Keep a separate washing up bowl on the counter, used bottles are rinsed and put in there. I use an electric steam steriliser, fits 4 bottles so once you've got your 4 used bottles, wash and sterilise. It works out more expensive but while you're working out how much your baby takes it might be easier to use cartons of formula (which are actually the most sterile form of formula). They keep in the fridge for 24 hours. Good for out and about too. And definitely get a Perfect Prep machine for after that. There is normally one on offer somewhere for 60 or 70 quid which may seem expensive but will save a lot of faff and time long term. You don't have to use Tommee Tippee bottles with them.
I hope that helps a bit. I'll answer any more questions if you have them!

Another recommendation for MAM self sterlisibg bottles.
Wash in dishwasher and Bing in microwave. Easy.
Then perfect prep machine at home and ready made cartons out and about.
Honestly not one bit of a faff.