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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

What to do after 6 months? - Everything going so well!

38 replies

BBW · 15/12/2008 22:04

Hi,

My little girl is 17 weeks and ebf. She is demand fed, and found her own little routine.

She goes down every night without fail at 7.30, I dream feed her at about 10.30/11pm, then she sleeps right through the night.

I LOVE feeding her, and while it was uncomfortable at the start it has developed into a really lovely thing.

I have never needed breast pads, or had shooting milk etc. It has been a breeze.

I am starting to get nervous about after 6 months. Family have already started to say they would expect her to go on to formula, as I've 'done my bit'.

My husband has also said he wouldn't mind her to be bf, but I would probably be better to express, not to feed her myself ??!!. Think he wants my boobs back !!.

MIL I think wants to feed her, which is why she says 6 months no more.

I would like to feed her longer, but know this will be met with problems. I feel a bot sad that even though I probably have the perfect situation that I am not getting the support.

What do others think?, and what were your experiences?

OP posts:
RhinestoneReindeerHerder · 15/12/2008 22:10

I'd keep going if you want to, as you say it's working well.

I always had the '6 months' thing in my head as a target, but when I got there I really didn't want to stop. Luckily DH was supportive, but my mum started to make noises about stopping about this time. Some babies don't have bottles - DS never really did, apart from the odd one of EBM when I went out. And after 6 months your MIL can feed your DD, as she will start to eat solid food!

Oh, and expressing your milk and putting it in bottles sounds like a bit of a faff...

MrsBadger · 15/12/2008 22:13

if it aint broke...

express the odd bottle so you can go out if you want to, and stuff everyone else

and it is possible for dh to share them

LeonieDecktheHalls · 15/12/2008 22:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

RhinestoneReindeerHerder · 15/12/2008 22:19

And considering I managed to get pg for a second time whilst still feeding DS, there weren't any issues in the breast-share dept

AlbertaWildRose · 15/12/2008 22:22

I never, ever understand why people think babies should move on to formula after 6 months. Why, when breastfeeding is so convenient, so healthy, and free? And it is not just for the first 6 months that it's beneficial for the baby - I believe the current WHO guidelines recommend breastfeeding for AT LEAST a year. Also, if they're ill or upset, bf is still the best thing after 6 months.
It is none of your MIL's business how you choose to feed your baby. If it's going so well and you don't want to stop, then don't!

neenztwinz · 15/12/2008 22:24

Do what you want. Leonie's right - 6mths will come and go, it is not like a bell rings and it's time for formula from bottles.

Your LO probably wouldn't drink formula from a bottle anyway. My twins will usually refuse bottles cos they just want to be BFed.

I'd carry on BFing just to spite MIL.

MrsBadger · 15/12/2008 22:25

actually the WHO say two years

so MIL can stick that in her pipe and smoke it

onebatmotherofgoditschilly · 15/12/2008 22:27

The six month thing comes from advice that babies should if possible be breast-fed, at least^ till 6 months. It's not supposed to be a cut-off point!

You could tell your MIL that the World Health Organization recommends till 2 years. Let her put that in her pope and smike it.

onebatmotherofgoditschilly · 15/12/2008 22:28

That is a bloody weird x-post MrsB. It\s not an expression I use regularly..

bluejelly · 15/12/2008 22:31

I reckon you should keep going if it's working for you...
I told my ex that I'd give up at a year, then 18 months... finally did at 2 and I have no regrets... am so glad I went the extra mile particularly as i had to go back to work and it was a lovely way of rebonding with my dd at the end of the day!

MrsBadger · 15/12/2008 22:31

me neither

maybe it's somethign about BBW's MIL that inspired us...

hotpotmama · 15/12/2008 22:32

Ignore everyone else, its none of their business. Do what you want to. It's your baby not your MIL's.

I am still feeding DS3. He is nearly 8 months and I love it. He was very poorly when he was only a few weeks old and so I feel like I am really helping him even tho he is very healthy now (except for the usual colds etc). He eats 3 big meals a day so only feed him 3 times (morning, afternoon and evening).

Have had the odd comment about giving him a bottle but just ignore them as its none of their business.

You are doing great!

ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight · 15/12/2008 22:33

there is no reason to give formula unless you can't or don't want to bf. As long as babies can't drink cow's milk they need bm or fm - but if you want to and can bf switching to fm is pointless, expensive, and needlessly upsetting for both of you.

taliac · 15/12/2008 22:35

I'm just now phasing down to a morning and night feed only with my 1yr old DD2. She's comfortable on cows milk and I'm back at work. Only managed 7m with DD1, and most of that was while mixed feeding so I'm delighted to have got to a year excl bf with DD2.

There are loads of health advantages for you and baby from continuing to BF. There is a good fact sheet here though really its for bfing after a year.

But anecdotally DD2 has had fewer illnesses in her first year than DD1, and hasn't had the same problems with excema.

And I've really noticed that I've lost the baby weight very easily this time, as compared to last.

So even if you feel that you can't stand up to family for something you want, remember what a good thing you are doing for your LO, and stand up to them for DD's sake!

Plus yes if they are that keen to feed DD, express so you can have a night / day out!

Joolyjoolyjoo · 15/12/2008 22:37

Agree with the rest- go on as long as you want to! With dd1, I had the 6-mth thing in my head, and put her on formula at 8mths. dd2 kinda self-weaned at 7mths. But ds is 13 mths and still feeding morning and night, and I am happy. I feel this time around I had better info (from sites like this) and more confidence in my own judgement. My dad keeps saying "he should be finished feeding by now!", but I ignore him!

taliac · 15/12/2008 22:41

Plus, Bfing is so much EASIER compared to ff at this point.

Baby hungry? Sit down, bf.

Compared to the faff of boiling water, mixing formula and cleaning bottles its speed itself!

neenztwinz · 15/12/2008 22:47

Is your DH going to get up in the night, boil the kettle, wait 30 mins, make the bottle and then feed your LO if you give up BFing?

Don't do it if you don't want to - it is so much easier to BF.

vlc · 16/12/2008 01:31

Just announce that you've made an unshakeable decision to continue breastfeedng her after 6 months and for as long as you both want. And that is the absolute best option for you and for your dd.

And you'd appreciate it if everyone accepted your decision as you know what is best for you, and for your baby.

You have listened to their comments, and there will be no further discussion as your mind is made up.

TinyWhiteFeather · 16/12/2008 01:44

I BF'd until both of mine were over 12 mnths and to be honest. I loved it and never considered anyone else apart from their Dad.
Of all the times in your LO's life this is the time to be as 'selfish' as you need to be. It is not just a mental decision, but a physical relationship as well. I don't normally use this argument but as you carried the LO, it is only right that you make the decision, you will know when it is the right time to give up.
Enjoy your special bond with your baby and I hope people respect your decision.

RoseOfTheOrient · 16/12/2008 02:16

why on earth would you want to stop? esp. if it is going well...
its convenient, healthy, and FREE! surely a big plus in this recession! tell everyone else to bog off.
I fed my DD until 17 months, and my DS til he was 3.

BouncingTinsel · 16/12/2008 07:57

Ds is just coming up to a year and it just occurred to me that apart from a wee bit in the hospital and at nursery (to see if he would take a bottle - he didn't) he has never had formula. According to the NCT 'Reasons to be Proud' by breastfeeding ds for a year I'll have saved myself £450
I would mention that to your DH. And yes I'm sure he can share you boobs
Actually if he is worried about them leaking while he is playing with them, they probably won't - mine don't! They haven't really leaked since I started ds on solids just short of 6 months.

wenceslasmyeducation · 16/12/2008 08:03

I tend to get tongue-tied when challenged, so have been practicing this answer for a while -
"Why would I want to pay for something inferior to what I can produce myself for free?"
It might be a bit in-yer-face, but as it will only be used in response to someone questioning my decisions, I don't care!

mawbroon · 16/12/2008 08:16

BBW - my ds is three and still feeding, and has never had any formula ever, and only a handful of bottles of expressed milk.

I told people that I would review the breastfeeding at 6months. Then we got to six months and I said I would review at a year. Then at a year, I said i would review it at 2yrs etc etc. It was pretty much code for eff off and mind your own business without actually being rude!!

You could point out that NONE of the reasons that people have given you for stopping (someone else can feed, it's weird, etc etc) outweigh the positive health implications that continuing to feed would have for your dd.

I also think that if you gave in to their pressure, you may feel sad about it in years to come.

tumpymother · 16/12/2008 08:43

your baby
your decision
end of

I am still BFing my 11 month old and intend to carry on as long as he wants to. He has never had a single drop of formula and I think that BF seems so much easier ( once you get over the start) than what looks like the faff of FF. He has been ill recently and it has been fantastic to be able to offer him the comfort of BF so I am SO glad I have carried on past the magic 6 month period.
good luck with whatever you decide

kathryn2804 · 16/12/2008 23:34

I breastfed my twins until they were 13 mths and wished I'd continued for longer. It is so much better for them, so much cheaper, so much more convenient, shall I go on?

Also, have you thoguht about baby-led weaning. it suits a lot of breastfed babies brilliantly. that'll be another interesting conversation when you say baby's not going to have purees!