Perinatal OCD and feeding

[arlequin]

I was incredibly ill with OCD with my last baby and would really like to avoid that this time.

I think the key to it is getting enough sleep.

Breastfed last time and by 6 weeks was broken and exhausted. Did anyone choose to formula feed and how much difference did it make?

Absolutely do whatever it takes to manage your triggers. Very insightful that you aware of the effect of lack of sleep. I breastfeed all my children for over a year each and I would 100% suggest that you formula feed. Your welfare is so important. Maybe chat with your midwife, what’s the most breastfeeding you could do and be certain your OCD won’t be triggered? Would 2 weeks exclusive then switching to bottle work for you?

Also equally important, do you have a supportive partner as sharing night waking even for a bottle fed baby will be crucial.
It is absolutely fine and normal for new Dads to be going to work tired, working isn’t a reason to not support during the night.

If no useful partner could you stay with family for 6 weeks after birth?

Doesn't have to be either/or. You can mixed feed, that's what I did with second baby to make sure I slept more. I went to sleep about 9. Partner gave bottle around midnight. Then I did a feed after than. I also co-slept from the beginning so I didn't have to fully wake when feeding.

@HairyKitty thanks so much for your reply!

Yes DH is really supportive. He's taking 2 months off and happy to alternate nights which is why I'm so keen to try and maximise sleep 😊

I think 2 weeks is maybe a good idea. Will chat to my midwife but sometimes they don't have the best knowledge of OCD.

Thanks @atthebottomofthehill. When did you introduce the bottle feed and was it formula or pumping? Found pumping so hard last time!

@arlequin yes absolutely about midwife, whilst you have more clarity right now is the best time to make your plans. Having your partner home will help as he can feed and resettle at least once in the night and also allow you to sleep in the day.
Midwife I’m sure will tell you that even one week is better than none, so please know that you are doing the best for your baby.
You could experiment with one daytime breast feed perhaps, but often enough the baby will come to prefer bottle.
If you breastfeed at bedtime/in the night my feeling is that night wakings and baby restlessness will be increased, so in your place I might avoid this, even though it seems like a desirable option

OP I don’t think I would recommend pumping for you. The added mental pressure/time trying to do this can be difficult at the best of times

Introduced it virtually straight away because with first dc we delayed for a few weeks on the recommendation of midwives and then baby wouldn't take a bottle. Second baby absolutely fine, got going with breast then pretty quickly started with bottle at midnight. I think we probably introduced a bottle during the day at some point too. But your breast milk supply will just adjust to whichever feed you drop. No problemo.

And definitely formula! Pumping is way too much faff. Baby got best of both worlds IMO.

Thanks everyone. Really appreciate you taking the time to respond.