breastfeeding

[Salpa]

My daughter is 6 month and planning to stop breastfeeding , because she's feeding every 1 hour and i have a toddler to look after , at night same 1 hours max between every feed. I feel guilty to stop breastfeeding and i dont know if i really should stop or not i feel guilty same time very tired

You know that she'll still need feeds overnight and it's actually more time consuming/ need to wake up properly to sort bottles overnight?

I remember feeling that way but the prospect of getting up and faffing to sort a bottle rather than lie next to DS and whap a boob in his mouth and then doze was a big deciding factor. I didn't have another child though

Personally I would keep going, but breastfeeding has to work for both parties, so if it no longer works for you you shouldn't feel guilty about stopping. There's a group on Facebook (I think it's called breastfeeding younger babies) that could help you explore your options.

I'm the opposite and would deff work a plan to transition to formula as well as weaning. Baby is so hungry that she's feeding every hour - this is mind numbing. You don't have to stop completely you can introduce just a couple of formula feeds that could help her sleep longer during the night and give you a break.

There's no right or wrong - do what feels right for you and the baby to thrive (not survive) x

And to add what a fantastic job you have done to get to 6 months breastfeeding! X

No evidence that formula actually helps them sleep longer and will probably cause some digestive issues when first starting causing the opposite.

Breast feeding is not just about hunger. It's comfort as well. It is a way to get baby back to sleep, not the reason they wake by this age

There is evidence to support every opinion which is why mums find it so difficult to know what to do for the best.

I agree, you’ve done a great job so far! It might help to remember that everything with babies is a phase. Would you feel differently if you knew this phase would only last a week or two?

ye i think its a phase and i would be happy if i can make it at least till she s 9 months, maybe i will try just to give her 1 bottle at night and find how it works. thank you everyone for helping me

Do you feed to sleep? I found when we tried other methods to get DS to sleep (dad rocking him etc) he didn't need boob to get back to sleep at night and started doing longer stretches.

I would look at using a different method to get baby to sleep (rocking, patting, shushing etc) and setting clear boundaries with feeds. Ie. Feeds at 10, 2 and 6, and rocked or whatever at all other times. Put down into cot awake. It will be hard, but it will more likely than not stop the incessant night feeds after a week or two. I very much doubt she is actually hungry at al of these times, just looking for comfort and attention. Could you try wearing her in a sling during the day and see if the closeness makes her feel more secure?

Does she have a dummy??

It sounds like she is using you for comfort rather than for food.

I'm presuming that you are going to start weaning so maybe now would be a good time to start to introduce a nighttime bottle at the same time as solids.

she doesnt take dummy , ye i will start to introduce solid , and try to no feed her at night , to see how its gonna be 😬 thank you for helping