Thinking about stopping breastfeeding

[recreationalcalpol]

Hi all,

My DS is 18 weeks and so far EBF. I've been back at work for two weeks now and I'm finding BFing a real struggle to fit in. DS won't take much EBM whilst I'm away (around 3 oz every 3 hours) and by the time it gets round to 4pm (I'm told) is very difficult to settle and really wanting the boob for some comfort. He doesn't seem to be feeding more at night so I am a little worried that he's not getting enough milk (although DH reports that he's pretty content during the day, until early evening). DH will get him weighed next week and I guess we will have a better idea.

Trying to find time in the working day to pump is really difficult - I am so busy at work that stopping for 40 minutes to pump has to be really carefully managed, and I can never relax and just pump as I'm always trying to get an email finished or leave for a meeting etc. I am also worried that I'm not pumping enough for DS to have the next day and that my supply is going to reduce if I don't pump enough.

It's all just making me quite stressed really, but I really wanted to get to that magical 6 months EBF point, which I suppose isn't that far away really.

I don't know what I wanted to achieve from this post tbh - maybe a few wise words or experiences of those in similar situations?

Can you not mix feed and then gradually stop when you want? If you fed morning and evening/night but bottles in the day then it shouldn't take long for your boobs to adjust and you wouldn't have to pump at work anymore if that's stressing you out. Only you know whats right for you and your family.

No advice other than that though sorry as my ds refused bottles for months. I went back to work when he was 7m and he would go all day 9hrs without milk which was stressful and I was so worried but he was absolutely fine just having solids and water by then. He did feed at night though.

It’s hard isn’t it. Mix feeding would be a good solution but I just feel so much guilt about not EBF’ing until 6 months.

I went back to work when my DD1 was 16 weeks, I ebf until she was 21 weeks which was awkward as I was in an open plan office so I had to chuck my manager out of her office to pump, however I only would ever pump for 15mins a time as otherwise my nipples would have been wrecked. Plus I hated having to put my bm is the communal fridge. She will be 9yo in a few weeks and I promise you, it's not made any difference to her health or intelligence that she didn't make the magic 6mo ebf mark, it's just fairly meaningless. If you are lucky enough to get 6m maternity leave then yes, go for ebf but if you have to work to live then mixed feeding is still great and your DC will still be benefitting from your efforts and your immunity.

Would it help to do shorter pumping sessions - 2 x 20 mins?

2% of babies are EBF for six months. 98% have some formula at some point. And many mothers aren’t back at work at 16 weeks. Cut yourself some slack and do what you need to do so Baby is fed and you’re happy. No need to feel guilty about mixes feeding.

You’re right of course. I’ve been so close to telling DH to give him a bottle of formula this weekend but can’t quite bring myself to. I think getting him weighed next week will make the decision for me tbh

I ebf for six months, but it was hard and I only managed as he started weening so had solids with breastmilk.
He now only feeds when wakes and at night and once in the day - makes life much much easier. I only express when very full as I struggle to do so else!

So, if I do stop, I have a freezer full of EBM. Am I right in thinking that I should feed this before starting on formula?

Perhaps introduce formula now in small amounts, and gradually increase the ratio of formula to ebm?

He will take a lot at night lf hes not on boob in day. Im ebf and still at 9months my baby goes some weeks feeding every other hour during growth spurts and developmental milestones.
If i was back at work and baby not taling much ebm i think id be looking at mixed feeding tho you have to keep pumpkng to keep up supply 😮
I feel for you it is so draining when they do all night feeding

I think the benefits of breastmilk are still there for as long as they have it I think so spread the ebm out mixing to last a bit longer maybe? So start with 1 or 2 formula a day and the rest bm.

Be aware of cutting down slowly for yourself so you dont get mastitis and also it makes your hormones go a bit mental if you stop suddenly as everything changes so suddenly so I would personally replace 1 or 2 feeds a day with a bottle (of whatever you choose) then after a week cut another etc.

Good luck!

You can do whatever you’d like - with DS1 I pumped and gave formula so he would have roughly 50/50 of both. That made me happy - he had BM until he was 9m old.

I was EBF my son and it was just too unmanageable. Cut yourself some slack mama!

I just feed him from my breast when I can and bottles when I can't and I feel like a massive weight has been lifted off my shoulders ever since I introduced formula.

If you are going to do mix feeding though be prepared for a little constipation as their tummy isn't used to formula.

Also I even found my DS would sleep better and longer after he'd had a bottle as opposed to feeding off my breast so it's definitely a nice little break for me xx