Please convince me to keep BF DD3 (4 months)

[fannybanjo]

I have absolutely loved BF all my children but am currently finding BF DD3 hard. Please give me all the benefits to BF a 4 month old... Will it harm her to give her a bottle of formula?

I can't give you any benefits, but just wanted to share sympathy. DS2 is 15w now and though I've enjoyed it, I am wondering how long I can keep it up for. (Only managed 8w with DS1).

I do love the way he looks so comfortable and snuggles up to me and 'sings' to my breasts though... and when he notices I'm dropping off to sleep and bops me in the nose so I'll keep up eye contact....

Why are you finding it hard?

fanny - you know the health effects, and you know that 'a bottle of formula' at four months will have a negligible impact (unless there are allergy issues). But you also know, I bet, that 'a bottle of formula' doesn't instantly make bf easier if it's not going well, and that if it makes you unhappy to give a bottle then why should you?!

If you can share why it is hard, then lets see if there's some real help for you

Because you've done the hard bit and it should start to get easier very soon.

Just think - you'd be spending your whole summer faffing about with sterlisers, milk powder, worrying about bottles in the heat etc etc

Reasons to be proud.

In what way are you finding it hard?

It would be a shame to stop now - maybe she's just having a growth spurt so it seems harder work just now?

I've always preferred sitting on my backside BF to the idea of sterilizing bottles, lugging formula etc. Hang on in there.

Yes, it will get a lot easier. If you give just one bottle at this point, soon you could start drying up and then on formula all the time with lots of sterilising and faff. My DD is now 8 months and in the last couple of months since weaning it is so much easier - 3 or 4 short feeds a day, now. I think the hard work now will pay off for the 6 to 12 month period at least in hassle, and increeased cuddles with your DC.