Struggling with breastfeeding

[Jellybean2017]

Hi

Struggling with breastfeeding my 4 week old DS, absolutely knackered and feeling very down. He wants to feed all night most nights and I'm not coping. Is it worth introducing a couple of formula feeds or will this cause more problems?

Hi
maybe you can try expressing breastmilk during the day and storing it in the fridge in sterile container or special breastmilk storage bag. This milk will be safe for upto 5 days in the fridge at 4C. therefore during the night your baby can feed from a bottle but it will still contain breastmilk which is more beneficial than formula milk. That way you can get some rest whilst a family member or partner prepares the stored expressed breastmilk by warming the bottle in a jug of warm water and feed it to baby when he gets hungry at night.

But without mentioning importance of night feeds in prolactin level to maintain supply? really?

Is there a way you can safely co sleep and feed laying down?

That's what I did with DS it's exhausting, but it is temporary.

Introducing formula can cause problems, yes. You've done so well to get to this point! Hang in there, it gets so much better. Yes to feeding laying down with a sidecar cot or similar safe bed sharing. Chin up you are doing something amazing

It's a long time since I breastfed mine, but as you haven't had many replies..... I would say he is having a growth spurt. He will still have a tiny tummy, so can't hold much milk to go for long time between feeds. Try not to give in to temptation to fill him up with formula feed or even a bottle of expressed breast milk. The actual position of feeding from a teet and a nipple are different and may confuse him so early on. Also he will be feeding a lot to increase your supply (demand and supply). At four weeks your supply is still to be completely established so try not to mess with it.
Do you have any help available? Do you have any other children? If you possibly can then just stay in bed most of the day, just getting up to eat, drink and wee! Just concentrate on feeding, hopefully you can fill him up a bit more during the day and be needed slightly less at night. We co-slept so it was easier but I know that that is not for everyone.
Has your health visitor been helpful about breastfeeding? Is so ask her advice. If not helpful speak to a LaLeche League consultant.
Don't give up, it is a very short time that it is difficult, just relax and go with what he wants, he knows what he needs.
I'm sure you know all this, but when anxiety and sleeplessness get a hold it just worth a reminder!

Baby is wanting your comfort and closeness. They struggle at night as it is quiet, and they miss mummy when put down. Formula can cause them to sleep for longer stretches but it is not guaranteed. If it works it is because it puts them into a doped up unnatural sleep.

If they sleep longer this can have a negative impact on your supply as supply is boosted by night feeds.

Safe Co sleeping will help. Try and sleep whenever baby does in day. See if your partner or a family member can take baby for a walk in day so you can rest.

This is a short phase, although very hard at the time it will soon pass and baby will start going longer stretches. you are 4 weeks I now and it will start to get easier you have done all the hard work of building supply and getting feeding established.