MIXED FEEDING

[BJB21]

i am currently mixed feeding 5 wk old (have done since birth). i really am mainly ff and he bf maybe 2 or 3 times a day. he rarely just bf, he usually has a top up just after. obviously my milk supply has dwindled but i am happy what i am doing but i still keep thinking that i am going to knock the bf on the head and just ff. however, feel guilty and still bf (i only do it to suit, if i am going out etc i will ff. he probbaly feeds 2-3 hrly during the day and if he had a bottle he has 4- 5oz (if he has gone 3hrly, less if its only been 2 hrs) if he has a bf then he will usully have 2-3oz of formula. is there any point with the bf do u think or do u think he would go longer if just ff? he goes 3-4 at night. how much breast milk would he be getting. my breasts feel soft most of the time, but there is definitely milk there! maybe not much and the flow is slow. i keep thinking maybe i should either give up or increase bf?? confused!

If you don't increase BF, supply may very well dry up then you will be left with no option but bottles........

BJB, what you are doing now will certainly lead to full formula feeding, so you don't really need to make a decision - your body will do it for you

It's up to you.

Of course whatever breastmilk he has is worthwhile as the antibodies are still there and more important if you both still enjoy it you can continue until you have no option.

His feeding frequency is not at all unusual - not sure why you would think it better to go longer between feeds.

If you want to retain breastfeeding, you will need to feed very often, alongside expressing, day and night, and that might save the supply.

Hope this helps.

thanks, i know my mind will be made up for me sooner or later but i think i will try and increase the bf. i do enjoy doing it more than i thought and now ive started (even tho it may be infrequent) i feel guilty about stopping. i planned to mix feed for about a month, but i dont know why i set myself a stupid target.