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Infant feeding

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

Want to continue BF but exhausted

12 replies

bessmum · 19/02/2009 15:49

Exclusively BF DS age 14 weeks and I'm exhausted. Have DD too age 21 months. DH often working away, no family locally. DS waking every two hours at night at present. This month I've had a chest infection and DD and I a vomiting bug, not eaten for 36 hours. BF DD for 7 months wanted to do the same for DS. Keep thinking about buying formula even if it is just for a night-time feed. I know this all sounds pathetic and hopefully when we're over this bug I'll feel more positive.

OP posts:
AitchTwoOh · 19/02/2009 15:51

oh you poor thing, no wonder you're tired. it's not for anyone to advise you to get formula or not, but it's not the worst stuff in the world if you are confident about your supply and need a break over night. of course... you might find it makes no difference anyway. i hope you feel a bit better soon.

AitchTwoOh · 19/02/2009 20:30

bumping this for the sympathetic evening crowd.

jujumaman · 19/02/2009 20:42

Poor you, my heart goes out to you

Agree with aitch a smidgeon of formula at 14 weeks is not a disaster, but it might make no difference, which would be annoying. But then it might! You can still carry on bf afterwards for as long as you like. How are you about expressing? I used to express 6 to 8oz for a 7pm feed with my dd1 which seemed to conk her out but I had a fancy electric machine and found expressing easy. Some don't and you don't want the added pressure.

All I can advise is to remember this is a miserable time but it will pass and in the scheme of things looking back it'll just be a hazy blur that will seem insignificant in the scheme of it all. ~Really wish you luck.

homicidalmatriach · 19/02/2009 20:48

Ah bessmum, I've been there many times. It is bloody hard when you feel like crap and you can't get any sleep because the blinking children are just there all the time and then when one goes to sleep the other starts up on the night time wailing routine!

But formula won't solve your problems - you will still have to get up and make up bottles at 2am and at least you can lie down and breastfeed - or this is my theory anyway as to why I'm still going.

Also it will get better, you will recover from this bug and the kids will start to sleep better. You are just having a really bad week.

Try to do bugger all for the next few days -sod the housework, order in pizza and live off it if you have to, take every single opportunity to exercise your sitting down muscles! It'll help!

SnowlightMcKenzie · 19/02/2009 20:54

Bessmum There's a thread in 'sleep' for those with 4-5 month olds. You'll probably fit in well, and you may get support/suggestions.

smellen · 19/02/2009 21:12

I'm with homicidalmatriarch. It sounds like you have had a really hard week, but hopefully the next one will be easier. Can you just buy food that you slam in the oven for a few days (when you have your appetite back), ignore the washing/housework as far as possible, and get a few early nights in? Does your DD still sleep during the day? If so, can you BF the baby and have a doze at that time too? I have been there too, and it can be really hard at times. I don't think I used the vacuum cleaner for about 3 months earlier this year (not that I missed it ). Cut corners where you can in the food prep/housework areas, it's not going to matter for a few months.

Also, do you have any friends who can support you for a few months? Perhaps they could bring their LOs round to play with your DD whilst you slope off to bed for an hour?

Hope you are feeling more positive about it now. FWIW I did mixed feeding with DS1 from about 14wks, and successfully continued BFing till 11mths, so introducing one bottle a day once your milk is well established is not going to jeopardise your continued BF IMvHO.

However, if your milk supply is a bit low at the mo (because of your not eating in 36hrs and being under the weather yourself), I suppose it might be best to keep offering BFs and get it back up.

I know it's a hard call to make, I agonised over it for ages with DS1. (My main reason then was because I was returning to work quite early and wanted him to get used to taking some formula from a bottle). Have exclusively BF DS2, but I have a bigger age gap between the two, so was able to "persuade" DS1 to let mummy sleep on the sofa in the afternoon for 40mns whilst he watched cbeebies.

Take it easy, and don't be too hard on yourself - you cannot expect to be doing everything with DD that you did before you had your second LO. Not in these early months. Good luck to you.

bessmum · 19/02/2009 21:16

Thanks all, I've managed to eat something and feel a bit better. I know formula is not the answer really and I desperately want to carry on BF. I think I need to work on some sort of routine - I'll check out the sleep thread. Thanks for the support.

OP posts:
AitchTwoOh · 20/02/2009 10:02

how are you feeling today?

bessmum · 20/02/2009 12:49

Hi AitchTwoOh, loads better thanks for asking. BF DS as I type and DD naps. My friend brought some food round and DH is home tonight so things looking up. DS can't go longer than two hours between feeds, I think my supply mustn't be great after the bug so I'm going to stock up with cakes and persevere. DS now giving me huge smiles which makes me feel so much better! Thanks again.

OP posts:
madmouse · 20/02/2009 12:53

glad things are looking up a bit

and remember in terms of your dd that a bit of cbeebies never killed anyone

bessmum · 20/02/2009 21:07

Thanks madmouse and couldn't agree more, have almost stopped feeling guilty about cbeebies!

OP posts:
AitchTwoOh · 21/02/2009 12:04

god, cbeebies is a lifesaver with a wee baby in the house. nothing to feel guilty for it's just another parenting tool.

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