any advice please

[poopeeplops]

I have a 10wk old and have breastfed since he was born, hes started to get so hungry i dont have enough milk and im now having to use formula through the night but sometimes during the day he needs a top up, just feeling sad that i cant give him enough, any advice or just support, is it ok to come to the end of breastfeding at just 10wks old.

It's your choice how to feed your child. It's possible for you to continue breastfeeding and to increase your milk supply if you want to.

To increase the breastmilk available, put the baby to the breast more often. The baby suckling sends signals to the relevant gland to make more milk. The more the baby sucks, the more milk is made.

It could be that he's not getting the milk that is available, because his position at the breast isn't quite right. You can get free, confidential, one-to-one help from a qualified breastfeeding counsellor through one of the voluntary organisations such as NCT, La Leche League, Breastfeeding Network. Google them to find local contact details.

It is also possible to increase your supply by expressing your milk. I used to be an agent for Ameda Egnell breast pumps and once a woman came to me who had stopped bf completely but had changed her mind, saying that formula didn't suit her baby. Within a week she had re-established lactation and was breastfeeding again.

if you want to stop that is fine, but unfortunately giving formula, especially at night will mean a reduction in milk supply and the demand/supply cycle is interuppted

most likely your baby was having a grwoth spurt and needed more time at the breast, rather than less time and more formula

it is possible to go back to exclusive breastfeeding or more breast than bottle , you should seek help from LLL etc as has been listed

it is more than likely with the right support and advice, you can reduce the top ups and get back to breast

Agree with the good advice already given....by giving formula in the night, you are sending the signal that your breasts don't need to make any milk.

So, if you want to keep going with the breast feeding:
-put your baby on to the breast as often as possible.(ideally two hourly)
-once he seems to have finished on one side, put him on to the other breast for some more.

• try fenugreek to increase milk supply (available from health food shops)
• if you can, go to bed for a weekend and just lie in bed with your LO, feed, feed, feed and rest and relax.

Kellymom.com also recommends the following

• pumping will help you to increase supply faster, plus you will be able to use your milk instead of formula for any needed supplements. Your aim in pumping is to remove more milk from the breasts and/or to empty the breasts more often. The more milk you remove, the more milk you will produce.

Don't be sad, it's a situation that can be sorted out with the right support. Definitely call one of the helplines for more advice.

Good luck.

Thanx to everyones advice much appreciated ans going to try all to see what works best, thanx again x