13wk old not satisfied in evenings anymore?

[TanE]

My 13 wk old is a good feeder has both boobs at each feed - goes 2.5/4hours between feeds at day and sleeps for 6 hours staight at night before going back to normal daytime pattern. Over the last few nights I just can't seem to satisfy him (he had a growth spurt last week). He is now 17.5lbs. After 1 hour of feeding and pulling/dropping both breast my husband who is very supportive of BF said it was unfair to not give him a bottle of formula as he was obviously still hungery. Tonight I gave in and he downed 8oz before stopping. I feel this could be the beginning of the end - I've tired expressing but only got 1/2oz, so very little milk. I think I'm going to start mixed feeding - any suggestions on how best to do this? I have two other young children (2&5) and see this as the best solution.

Maybe the end of fully breast feeding if that's what is best for the family - but not the end of breast feeding!

Just because you can't express much doesn't mean he's not getting enough. Daytime pattern sounds great so maybe this is just an evening hiccup? Hope so.

TanE - they have a growth spurt at this age. My ds2 is 13 weeks too. PLease try not to mix feed as it will only serve to decrease your own supply. It sounds like your baby is feeding for longer to build up your supply further and asiak expressing isnt a true indicator of what your baby is taking. 17.5lb is a good weight - right up in the 91st centile. Mine is 15lb and at times the evening feeds dont seem enough.

I really recommend getting rid of formula and bottles and sticking with it. They cant just ask for a bottle what they do it suck more to build up your supply.

I understand you have other dc as do i but please perservere xxxxx

Also i understand it is hard if you have someone sugesting that baby is going hungry as that is the last thing a mum would want but your baby doesnt soiund like he is going hungry, sleeping well and is a good weight. Have faith in yourself x

ditto awen. I remember that stage well. feels like you're constantly feeding.
expressing is no sign of how much milk you have.
why not give it a few days and see how you go?

Awen - I think it's easier said then done with the perservance thing. I feel run ragged and like I'm not doing my best by all 3 boys, spending ages with the baby and him still crying, but tomorrow is another day and off to sleep until 3am when I'm next required. Anyone any help re mixed feeding? I know I did this with my first but that was 5 yrs ago

Not unfair at all! He just needs to work harder to stimulate milk for a few days. Which he will, as long as you dont top up with formula.

It is unusual to get anywhere near as milk out from expressing as your baby will be able to get from feeding.

Your breasts will never be empty. They just keep making more and more milk.

It will pass.

I honestly think if you can ride out the next couple of days it'll settle down.

BUT, if you really, really have totally made up your mind then will offer a small piece of advice on mixed feeding lol

some people recommend giving the formula as one big feed a day, rather than topping up after each feed. that way baby doesn't get used to having a bottle at each feed- this can make them refuse breast and hold out for the bottle

Hope last night was calm enough to let you recharge your batteries (and your boobs!).

Good luck for today - and I think we all understand the pressure you feel spending ages with baby to no effect with your other 2 dcs looking on and you feeling you're ignoring them.

Whatever you decide has to be best for the family - and you. So if your gut feeling is to tough it out and go through some diff days to get back to fully breast feeding then do it. But if mixed feeding is what you decide will work best for your family and you then don't feel bad - your baby, your boobs and your decision!

Good luck

didnt mean to sound flippant, knwo it is bloody exhausting. I have an older child and feel terribley guilty i am not giving him the same level of attention that i used to and at times feels like he has none at all. I remind myself though that i am giving baby best possible start and i did the same for his big brother. My older child is probably feeling alot better than i do about the decrease in time with him. Dp is also spending more time with older son. I also get big brother involved in as much as he can and he has even pretended to breastfeed his teddy.

I hope you are feeling better today, i do understand that when baby is feeding for ages it feels lik ethey arent getting enough and that you really 'should' be doing other stuff but the baby is stimulating your body to make more and after a while your body will and feeding times will shorten again. This happens at various times, usually around growth spurts. Trust your body and your baby and it will be ok xx

If you have decided to definately mixfeed then it is your choice, though i cant offer any advice as i havent done this but wish you best with it.