Just given EBF baby formula

30 replies

Lou1293 · 30/12/2023 20:32

Hi everyone

My DS is 12 weeks and has been EBF since birth. He’s always been really fussy at the breast and this has recently got worse (since I got my first period).

Tonight I decided to give him a bottle of formula and he guzzled it. I now feel terrible and can’t stop crying because I think he must have been so hungry and also because I feel like I’ve failed that I can’t give him what he needs 😓

Not really sure the point of this but just wondering if there’s any advice to try to increase my supply so that I don’t have to give formula? Obviously I will if he needs it but I’d rather EBF.

Thank you 😥😥😥

OP posts:

Stringagal · 30/12/2023 23:22

I combi fed mine after a few months of EBF. It meant they were getting some breast milk for many more months than they would’ve if I’d straight switched.

I do seem to recall ginormous nappy explosions when they started guzzling more, so keep an eye and ear out for that!

crew2022 · 31/12/2023 05:01

"Congratulations on new baby. You fed your baby formula not crack cocaine"
This
But seriously you are doing a brilliant job and you should be congratulating yourself not beating yourself up. I didn't breastfeed my third dc at all and he was as happy and as healthy as the other two I struggled on with EBF for months.
Do what's right for you and your baby and enjoy him.

crunchychange · 31/12/2023 06:38

I bottle fed my babies and loved it. It's so taboo. Personally, I feel like there isn't enough research into formula vs breastfeeding. It's been great for me and the kids (I had twins). They are seldom sick, are really tall and strong.

FlyingHighFlyingLow · 31/12/2023 07:03

100% fed is best. However, if baby has lots of dirty and wet nappies normally, gaining weight etc then I wouldn't necessarily think they guzzled formula out of hunger. They're used to having to work for it at the breast so probably did the same and was like ooo this is easier 🤣

gamerchick · 31/12/2023 10:13

AnotherOldBag · 30/12/2023 21:01

OP, they all guzzle formula from a bottle. Babies have a reflex so that if anything touches the roof of their mouth they suck on it. The hole in a bottle teat is bigger than the holes in your nipple, so the formula comes out faster. This means that the baby is sucking, by reflex, and formula is pouring into his mouth faster than he's used to so he quickly swallows it, but the teat is still there stimulating his sucking reflex, so he can't help but keep sucking, and he gets into this frantic suck-swallow cycle, whether he's hungry or not, just because of his reflexes.
Is there anything else that makes you think he's not getting enough milk from you and you need to increase your supply?

This needs to be said more tbh. The amount of people who proudly proclaim their little baby is drinking far more ounces than it should be in one feed hurts my head. Overfeeding is a thing.

OP apart from being fussy is there any other reason you think your baby isn't getting enough?

Formula is ok for babies, it is. The expense and the fact I'm lazy put me off it. Much easier to stick them on the boob and have a snooze.

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