can someone talk to me about 'mix feeding' please?

[harley85]

hi,

My DD2 is 4 weeks old today, (BF) a few days ago i was in so much pain (DD had trush) i had to very reluctantly give her a formula bottle, have been expressing too but getting very confused and emotionaly feel a down

DD1 was epf for 4 months so feel very guilty about not being able do to the same for DD2.

Im now back Bf in the day then formula 11pm and 3am ish using Hipp organic

Is this ok?

thanks in advise, any advise appraited

Hi, I can't advise as such, but just say that I mix fed to help my DD weight gain. She had a couple of bottles of Actimel, usually at night. It did get silly at one stage, with 5 bottle feeds, but I cut this down and finally stopped breastfeeding at 14 months. So I think that would seem ok to me! I felt guilty at first but ultimately our role as parents is to ensure our child survives and I believe you have to do what you have to do to achieve this.

Mixed feeding doesn't help with your supply, I'm afraid. Most mothers who introduce formula before six weeks end up stopping breastfeeding earlier than they mean to.

And I'm afraid it's the middle of the night feeds that you're missing out, that impact most on your supply.

Has the thrush been fixed? Have you both been treated? How are your nipples now?

What's your local breastfeeding support like? Any chance you could get your latch looked at? Often adjusting the latch a tiny bit can vastly improve how effectively a baby feeds, and make everyone's life easier ...

Sorry you're having a tough time there and I hope things soon settle. About mixed feeding, lots seem to do it but a big problem is that the night feeds bring in your milk, once you introducing f your supplu will reduce. Mixing is usually leads to stopping altogether. I would just stick it out, you've put in the hard work to get it up and running, especially if it's making you feel bad about it not being the same as with dd1.

I had a tough time during and after my 1st birth and my gp told me to use f so as not to wear myself out but I stuck with bfing and am so glad I did because I think it saved me from falling into pnd, the hormones released during feeds are very calming and can be a big help if you are feeling emotionaly a bit down.

Whatever you decide to do, go easy on yourself, you're doing your best and things will improve with time.

Congrats on your new baby

thankyou for your advise, i have started to up my BF ,just waiting for supply to get back up to what is was before, getting on much better now DD thrush has gone, so hopefully on road to ebf again feeling much calmer about everything and much happier that im giving it another go..

Glad i stuck with it,