Should I start pumping? Exhausted breastfeeding all the time!

[Pitstop1986]

DD is 16 weeks. I've EBF since she was born.

Since she was about 8 weeks, DH has looked after her and fed her espressed milk in a bottle for a couple of hours on a Saturday morning whilst I go to a yoga class.

Other than that, she's constantly on my boob- she's a snacker, so preferred short feeds regularly.

It's just sometimes I get so tired, I have to go to bed early as I know that I have to get up to feed her first thing in the morning and it's hard trying to plan my day as if I go out anywhere, I have to feed her before I go and then get to any appointment, etc 15 mins early so I can feed her again as soon as we get there, or, say I'm going to the supermarket, I feed her in the carpark either before or after shopping.

I love breastfeeding, but sometimes I wonder if I just feed her in the morning and then pump for the day feeds, at least DH could help out. Also, if feeding from a bottle, she takes much more in one go and then doesn't ask for a feed for 2-3 hours.

Has anyone swapped from EBF to combination pumping/breastfeeding? How did it work out?

Thanks for reading. I suppose I'm just exhausted and having a moan. I was up at 6.30 to feed DD and have fed her 3 times since, whilst DH has enjoyed a weekend lie in.

Sorry that you haven't had any responses @Pitstop1986

Have you decided what to do?

Was just wondering if another option might be trying breast compressions when you do feed or giving at least some of the feeds in a quiet place, free from distractions?

I did combi feeding. I loved it, it gave me a lot more freedom. I only pumped for a bit though, then switched to formula for the bottle part of the feeds as I hated pumping, it made me feel quite low, not sure why.

Have you tried a sling, honestly you can breast feed your baby in a sling while you walk around shopping or doing house chores or even when eating (cold food obviously). When you get anywhere, if baby is hungry pop baby straight into the sling where a nursing tip or dress or a low cut top or a tank top that you can pull down and let baby breastfeed. No one can see baby is feeding even with your top pulled down because of the sling and you can carry on with your life. Also in the morning breastfeed lying down or have a bottle in the fridge ready and perhaps DH could get up and feed baby one morning to give you a lie in now and the.

Then. P.s do what is best for you , formula, pumping, EBF it doesn't matter aslong as baby is fed and you must find a balance that works for you and your mental health

Personally, I found pumping cost as much time and effort than just feeding myself so it wasn’t worth it for more than an occasional feed. With my second, I was happy to introduce one formula bottle a day from 4/5 months and it was so much easier. Your baby will still get all the benefits of breastfeeding and you get the benefit of a convenient feed that Dad can do every day, best of both worlds.

Thanks for all of your replies.

@quietnightmare I used to feed her in the sling when she was a little younger, but now she's a bit too big for me to be able to do it comfortably.

I've had a talk with DH. He's very into natural methods and what's best for our DD, but he understands the toll that breastfeeding has. We've decided to persevere with the breastfeeding for a few more weeks, then introduce a bottle of formula per day and then reassess how things have improved, maybe adding a further bottle of formula if needed to take the load off me and give me a bit more freedom.

I can see light at the end of the tunnel now, so feeling much more positive 😊

Can I suggest that he does the first bottle so that you get a chance to have a bit of time to get ready each morning in peace?

Perhaps a baby spoonful of baby rice with breast milk at bedtime will help your baby sleep for a bit longer or you could try a baby spoonful of mashed banana and breast milk right before bed

I would talk with your husband about you getting more sleep. Why is he enjoying a weekend lie in while you're struggling?

Also please don't add food to milk as previously suggested in this thread - it's really dangerous in terms of choking.

Baby is almost 18 weeks of course you can give baby a spoonful of baby rice or a puréed banana mixed with breast milk. You can make it at thin as you want.

Op check your baby can do the following

	First foods might be smooth or finely mashed. Then food can be roughly mashed or chopped.
	First foods should include iron-rich foods. You can introduce any number of foods at a time and in any order.
	Keep breastfeeding or using infant formula until your baby is at least 12 months.
	From around 6 months, include foods that might cause allergies.

1 has good head and neck control and can sit upright when supported.
2 shows an interest in food – for example, they look at what's on your plate.
3 reaches out for your food.
4 opens their mouth when you offer them food on a spoon.

Thanks for the input. I'm a little hesitant to wean her so young, I'd rather wait another few weeks. My mum also suggested starting her on solids, but I'm hesitant until I've done more research and weighed up the pros and cons.