I've been EBF my DS since birth, but I now feel that I need to move to combination feeding. We have just introduced one bottle every other day but I think i should up it to 2-3 feeds a day. This is for several reasons.
Firstly, I am struggled with DS weight; he has dropped from 50th to 9th percentile and I know will be just under the 9th at his next weigh in. He is exceptionally bright and alert, hitting all his milestones, but despite putting on some weight its never enough. I have tried everything. Increasing his feeds, expressing after feeds, seen a lactation consultant and I am at the end of my tether. I don;t know what to do anymore.
My son feeds well on the breast during his 3am feed (he wakes just once in the night now), and his feed first thing in the morning. But then progressively is less interested. His latest trick is to blow raspberries whilst feeding, or look around the room or use his newly found voice. He doesn't seem to do this on the bottle
Finally, on top of all of this I have had mastitis 3 times, and just been diagnoses with hypothyroid and anaemia. I am completely shattered with it, and its been a tough 4 months in hindsight. I am beginning to think all of this must have been affecting my supply. May be my DS is starving and its resulted in him losing his appetite? Im so sad about the whole situation.
Has anyone successfully changed to combination feeding at around 4 months and maintained some supply? Did it help with any weight issues?What approach would you recommend (e.g. start with replacing one, then two and finally alternate every other feed?).
Thank you so much for any replies.