Advice please, 19 week old baby, breastfeeding and fever

[Livelifefortoday]

My dc2 has just had his four month growth spurt. He is mainly breastfed with occasional formula but I'm struggling to keep up and feeling very run down and sorry for myself tonight.

My dc1 was ebf until 24 weeks but I'm struggling to keep up with dc2, who seems to be very hungry. Today he was bf from 5am every few hours with big feeds at 3pm 5pm 6.30pm (5oz formula) and he is looking hungry again (8pm). Tbh I'm exhausted and have had to ask a relative to have dc1 tonight. I've been inbed since 5pm with extremely sore breasts, sweating, fever and aches (not redness of mastitis though). Hv advised to continue ebf to 26wks.

Any advice would be welcome.

I'm not sure of you're after advice about your fever or the feeding? I EBF DD1 for s bit longer than DD2, Utd hard to keep up when you're also caring for a toddler. Be kind to yourself

Ps you might get some more replies of you stick this in feeding.

You poor thing. Breastfeeding can really, really take it out of you. This is your baby, your breasts, your decisions about what's best for all of you. you don't need permission from anybody to make a change if that's what you want. Equally you don't have to make a change, you can keep going as you are, quite rightly calling on support to help you.
Personally I fed my older two myself till 11 months ish and dd3 until she was 2.5. I never felt like you do now though I did have mastitis once (with dd3 - you would have thought I would have known what to do by then ) I weaned at 16 weeks plus for all of them though and whilst I know the mumsnet orthodoxy is food is for fun till they're one and they get more calories from milk - and I agree with both of those things - I also know that eating is a social thing and having 'tea' or 'breakfast' can distract a baby and break up their routine of breastfeeds helpfully so that you aren't quite so drained - literally. You are quite rightly using formula too to help yourself out. The only other thing I can suggest is the standard get out of the house advice. He's at an age where he does find outside interesting and that may help him go a little longer between feeds. Obviously that's tricky when you have the older one to entertain too.
Bottom line is - having had 19 weeks breastmilk is already most than the majority of babies will have. Don't beat yourself up to carry on if you don't want too but equally don't be afraid to persist and insist life changes around you for the short time needed.

Sounds like mastitis to me. Keep feeding, plenty drinks and paracetamol/ibuprofen and try and see a doctor in the morning.

Thank you all for your advice. Dc2 slept well last night so we all feel much better.

Northern lurker thanks for your post, I have baby rice at the ready but hv has guilt tripped me into waiting a while longer so will persevere with the formula. I know there are many posts related to weaning on here so will take a look.

It's been a few years since I did all this, but I remember that four month slump well and feeling so very tired. If you can hang on for another week or so I always found the months that follow much easier ... and so much easier to stick them on the breast than faff with bottles when you are already tired.

But, to caveat that ^^ do what you need to do. A couple of times I came back from nearly no milk, so I think if you have a couple of days off and change your mind it would probably still be OK. Maybe speak to a breastfeeding counsellor - I found them great.