Formula feeding when out (milk drying up)

[Rebeka0]

Hiya ladies,
My 10 week old son is breast fed with 1 or 2 bottles of formula on a night by dad so I can sleep more than a few hours at a time. So far it's been working great. I love how easy breastfeeding has become. No messing about with sterilising bottles etc... BUT I've started thinking more and more about moving on to formula.... I hate feeding in public.. I find myself more and more going to sit in toilet cubicles to feed him. Not for other people who might be "offended" but for me. I just don't feel comfortable getting my boobs out. Plus when we're out my baby seems to "mess" more coming off repeatedly so it's really hard to keep myself hidden even with a scarf...
Basically my question is will my milk supply drastically plummet if I formula feed when out? Especially as it's not always at the same times, one day it might be in the morning, one day the afternoon, one day the evening and the next could be a good portion of the day?
OR
Is it possible to formula feed 90% of the time but still comfort feed a few times a day? Or is that a bit weird if it's not for food? I love breast feeding and my little one is thriving and does use me for confort so I feel guilty taking it fully away from him because of my own insecurities. It's making me not want to go out of the house 😓😓
Any advice or stories would be greatly appreciated!!! Tia xx

It will depend how often you go out and how many feeds you are missing. Could you express beforehand or as soon as you return if you want to maintain your supply?

I sympathise because it is a bit embarrassing when you’re trying to breastfeed and the baby is fussing and leaving your breast exposed. But in the nicest possible way I think you should try and get over it. People are not looking at you. Most people are too busy to even notice. If they do notice they will politely look away. Breasts are for feeding babies. I think it’s so so sad that you’re shutting yourself and your baby away in the toilet to breastfeed

Are you anxious about other things as well or just this? I’m just wondering if you might possibly have post natal anxiety? (Sorry if I’m wrong but thought it was worth mentioning.)

You are unlikely to be able to formula feed 90% of the time with the occasional breastfeed. It works better the other way around. But if you mostly give formula your breast milk supply will go down and the baby will probably get used to bottle instead of breast.

There’s nothing wrong with switching to formula if that’s what you want to do, but embarrassment about breastfeeding in public is a sad reason to stop

You can get clothes for discreet breastfeeding if that would make you feel more comfortable? The bshirt for example. But there are loads more.

It depends. I can only breastfeed at night and still have loads of milk coming in. It varies from woman to woman. I would echo what has been said above though. 10 weeks isn't very long. I felt a bit weird breastfeeding infront of people who wouldn't normally see my breasts (I.e. My husband/women my age-at the gym of whatever/ health professionals) firvthe furs sux months. Now I just whip my breasts out wherever and when ever. It's hard to believe that it ever made me feel awkward.

I feel it's a fear of breastfeeding in public that's worrying you then you can get feeding covers which will keep you covered up ( eg www.daisybabyshop.co.uk/breastfeeding-cover/breastfeeding-cover-grey-white-floral-design?gclid=CjwKCAiAvMPRBRBIEiwABuO6qQSXUCCLqwXYzDXbdkxaAdNy4oiqJHc3qqetJ61AD1lVIUJtmXBpkxoCVL4QAvD_BwE#size:medium+)

you need to keep breastfeeding regularly throughout the day to stop your milk from drying up so I wouldn't have thought the odd bottle here and there would make too much difference

If you're already missing one or two feeds at night, when you have best chance of boosting supply due to higher prolactin levels, i'd say you're at risk of it drying up, yes.