Formula feed at weekend - can it do any harm?

[Flangelina]

I know there are other threads on this so sorry to go over old ground, but I am very confused. DS is 4 weeks old today. Because we were forced to use formula milk in the first week (before my milk came in) we have continued to give him just one formula feed on a Friday night and one on a Saturday night, to give me a break. DS doesn't seem to mind, but admittedly my breasts are pretty heavy, leaky and uncomfortable by the next feed at 3-4am. Am I doing any harm to my milk supply or to DS's ability to breastfeed? Should I breastfeed exclusively for a few weeks? What would be the benefit of expressing instead of formula feeding? If expressing is better, when should I do it? Apart from the nights when we formula feed, my milk supply seems exactly right, so I don't understand when best to express. Any advice please?

Well.. i would guess that you deserve a break, and if you're happy to formula feed then go ahead.

I would suggest expressing though to make yourself more comfortable, probably either just before or after you feed him the formula, then you can always freeze your expressed milk to keep for emergencies.

at 4 weeks your body is still getting used to how much milk your baby needs. you will feel leaky and kind of uncomfortable until your body sorts itself out.

the benefits of expressing versus giving formula are of course that breastmilk is better for your baby than formula.

as for when to do it..have a look at kellymom.com for good, reliable info.

If you could bear expressing every Fri and Sat evenings (ie when you have spare milk because DS isn't drinking it) you could freeze it for the following week's nights off and skip the formula altogether.

But if you're expressing at feeding time on those two evenings, you won't be in the pub (or wherever you go for time out ) so you might as well give a breastfeed anyway - I guess someone else is giving him the formula at the moment?

Two bottles of formula a week won't hurt him, but exclusive bm (inc expressed milk) is a great thing if you can do it - and as your breasts are geared up to feed him anyway (as you can tell by the heaviness, leaking and discomfort when you skip a feed), why not get it down him?

(NB congratulations on DS by the way!)

At this stage when your supply is abundant express when it is convienient. I found during the day best especially first thing if you can. However, you deserve a break and don't feel bad or guilty that two formula feeds in a week will do any harm to your little one,at least you can have a break. I introduced fromula feeds rather than expressed milk ( expressing machine fag to clean & sterilise, life too short with new born!!) at around 10 weeks to dd 10.30 feed, Dad can do this and I can go to bed to better prepare me for the night ahead

Sorry for not logging on sooner and thanks to everyone for their advice. I have decided to breat feed exclusively for a little while, the introduce a bottle at some later date. I guess I can live with the sleep deprivation for a bit longer! Thanks again everyone.