Breastfeeding failure

[wssejh]

I feel like such a failure. I'm on my 3rd and final child and I never managed to fully BF my first two. This time I promised myself I would BF for 6 months and today after exclusively breastfeeding for 7 weeks I gave a bottle. I feel totally rubbish and now wonder if my milk supply will be affected because I missed a feed. I gave in because my baby never seems content and I pretty much feed what feels like continuously. Baby is gaining weight but is quite little so I guess he needs to feed a lot. I thought it was supposed to get easier at this stage.... have I ruined it now?

No you haven’t ruined anything!! Did your baby take much? I mix fed my first and am currently 4 months into EBF and second so by no means an expert but in my experience you’re through the hardest bit which is the first 6 weeks or so when hey just feed - or suck anyway - CONSTANTLY. They say the level of supply you’ve established at 6 weeks pretty much stays the same from now on. You could pump to compensate for the bottle you’ve just given but I’m sure one feed won’t make that much difference.

I found the first few months of bf v hard but what helped me was setting achieveae targets eg one more week or even just one more day some days and then celebrating in a minor way when I achieved it!!

Of course not! I BF my first until 6 weeks and then mix feed (one bottle in the evening) from 6 weeks. I remember being upset at the time but I look back now and think what on earth was I beating myself up for?!
If you want to carry on BF exclusively then one bottle is not going to suddenly stop your supply but mix feeding or bottle feeding generally is absolutely fine! for you. Stop being so hard on yourself

Goodness, no, you haven't ruined anything! One bottle of formula doesn't discount 7 weeks of breastfeeding, or indeed continuing to breastfeed. Your supply will be fine, just carry on feeding on demand and you'll be fine. Equally you could continue with a daily bottle if it suits you to do so. Don't think in absolutes, just think about what you want to do today to help you get through!

Aww thanks everyone, great advice. I think I was just feeling a bit emotional. He's back on the breast now and feeling much happier! I guess at least I know I want to stick with BF a while longer x

Ahh glad you’re feeling better! Well done for keeping going. You should look upon it as a good thing that you know he’ll take a bottle now if you want to express. I wish I’d done the same as have just discovered my 4 month old won’t take a bottle.. argh!! These babies sure keep us on our toes..

You're not a failure at all.. just remember breast milk is clever if baby feeds more you produce more so when if you miss the odd one your body will respond and increase again.

Nothing wrong with combination feeding if that's the way you may go.

Breast feeding is wonderful but very hard