started topping up 3 week old last week now regret it

[Sella]

my 3 week old was slow at gaining weight so last week i introduced top up a couple of times a day. now i'm starting to regret it and really want to increase my milk supply with a view to going back to solely breast feeding. main reason i started topping up was so stressed by it all, have 2 other kids and finding it really hard to fit everything in in the day. when i topped her up she went from happy baby but needed to be carried around to being able to put down for an hour or so and sleeping.
so i'm in a real dilema, does it really matter? should i just carry on doing what i'm doing if she's happy, am i only wanting to go back to bf for my own selfish reasons? is it all too late anyway?

Sella, Congratulations on your new arrival!don't worry about it too much. You could always drop the bottle and go back to just breast. It may take a day or so to get back to normal but I have known people who have managed it.
Or you could carry on as you are. You changed your plans for your little one to care for her and keep her well and well done to you as it obviously worked.Really honestly and truthfully I say carry on as you are if you are needing reassurance that it is ok to do so, but if you want to change back, give it a go..It really is only a decision you can take but be happy in what you choose and go forward with a

It's not selfish to want to go back to breastfeeding - it's better for your baby, and better for you.

You might find her easier to cope with, with a sling?

How many ml of formula is she having now? Could you maybe spend a day or two in bed with her, just feeding, to boost your supply back up? (when you have help with the other kids)

You're doing really well in difficult circumstances, being a new mum is tricky even without two others underfoot!

Please don't stress about it. In my humble opinion, any breast is better than none at all. I combined fed for months. Am not saying that to brag...I just wanted to say you can combine feed (despite what the books say). Just do what you can. You have 2 other kids and are doing amazingly well doing any breast feeding at all!!!!!!!

Thanks everyone, I went out today and got some Fenugreek, I've expressed twice already today (only got 1.5oz but I know that isn't important). Going to try and put her to the breast as much as I can and make a real effort to eat well, drink lots (been pigging out on choc this week and me and little one are recovering from thrush now!).
I would really love to go back to breast only but I've always struggled to produce enough, mainly down to lazy babies I think, so I'm going to just do the best I can and see what happens.
Would be really grateful for any tips on increasing supply, Indaba, did you find your supply dropped off a lot or not?

honestly? the best thing for supply is baby sucking at your breast...I messed up my supply by trying to schedule feeds and just concentrated on putting DS to the breast as much as I could instead of expressing etc. It worked a treat.

Also have a look over on kellymom.com?

hi sella. I can't help really with increasing supply. I just want to give you my support - if you want to bf exclusively for whatever your reasons, go for it - it certainly isnt too late.

I mix fed DS1 for a year and it worked for me. I'm doing the same for DS2 now (he's 13 weeks) and again its the right thing for me. I dont feel guilty for not giving him total breastmilk. He gets two bottles of formula a day (expressing not an option - I just can't) and its the only way I can cope.

I go with making my life easier - but if it doesnt feel right inside, then get her back on the breast

What, and how much, you eat and drink hasn't been shown to make a difference to your supply. If you let your baby feed as often as she wants, and for as long as she wants, particularly at night, that will boost your supply better than any special tea.

Sorry: been away with work and offline.....no, I seemed to get into a regular routine of 1 early and two later feeds.....seemed to go ok for months. What ever you do, the best thing for everyone is that you do what suits you.....yes, in an ideal world we'd all BF for months/years but you have other kids to look after....I think most important thing is an unstressed mum.....long term you being chilled and able to look after yourself and the kids more important than additional breast nutrients....in my humble opinion.....! Good luck!

My DD had weight gain issues, too. I was really worried that introducing top-ups would be the thin end of the wedge and lead to my milk supply drying up about 6 weeks ago. But, now we have stabilised to ~2 oz top-ups of expressed or formula milk after evening and dream feeds - means DP can get in on the act, too, and is less tiring for a lazy baby (and lazy mummy - I mean me - I don't have other DCs to run round after).

Regarding my supply, I feel that fenugreek is helping me. But having the demand is best, so I avoid missing any breastfeeds unless absolutely necessary. As DD is 4 1/2 months now it's easier to be confident that we can go 3 hours between feeds during the day, so that's not even that restrictive (I got out for a swim between first and second breakfasts this morning ).

And to answer your question - no, it doesn't really matter. They still get all the benefits of the breast milk, with additional calories from formula that help them settle and sleep for longer, which helps their brains and bodies develop. That's what I'm telling myself, anyway