Weaning off breastfeeding advice please

[MumToBe1980]

Hi, I have been mixed feeding my 5 week old girl from week 1 for to various reasons. My don't think my milk has ever really come in, expressing around 1 oz after 15 mins expressing but have been producing enough so at least she has had some breast milk every day. I have expressing approximately 3 to 4 times per day and putting my girl on the breast about 3 times per day. I was hoping this would work out but she is becoming increasing frustrated in the evenings even after a formula feed. She was awake from to 12 to 3:30 last night rooting and headbutting me, I put her on the breast which calmed her down for 10minutes but then she would start again straight away after. She is almost panicking for the whole time. I am wondering if she is trying to increase my milk supply or panicking because she cannot get much from the breast. I am thinking of stopping breastfeeding and wondering if once my milk has dried up this rooting and headbanging behaviour will stop. Has anyone else had a similar exerience? It's almost like the smell of my milk makes her crazy. Any advice much appreciated, sorry for rambling, very sleep deprived x

@MumToBe1980 hi! I was the same, as I also mixed fed from day 3. But I didn’t really use the pump. I breastfed as much as I could and during the night this would be for hours and hours. It was so hard, which is why I used formula to give myself a break.
After 3 months, baby started to refuse to breastfeed and showed preference to a bottle. Then by 5 months, we had to completely stop breastfeeding as she didn’t know how to suckle anymore. She was confused between the bottle and the breast, so my milk supply dried up.

I think it’s hard for milk supply to build up, when you mix feed. Although this was advice that was given to me by HV to give me a break. 🙄 I do wish that got advice on how to breastfeed. However, baby feeds a lot less now she is on formula. She has a bottle every 3/4 hours or so. Usually sleeps during the night (but sometimes wakes for 2 bottles so it can go either way). She also stopped the feeding cues, but was a bit older.

I think if you want to keep breastfeeding, then look for some advice from infant feeding team. It seems baby cluster feed to help build your supply and for comfort.

@MumToBe1980 oh something else. When I did stop breastfeeding, my hormones went crazy! I cried so much. I didn’t want to stop breastfeeding. Really not sure why I didn’t get more advice. It is really stressful! Good luck

Not judging you for mixed feeding so young as you obviously have your reasons, but mixed feeding before breastfeeding is fully established (usually around 6 weeks) does usually affect supply. I'm sorry

The only way to increase milk supply is to put baby to the breast, pumping doesnt work for quite a few women. A ebf will normally feed every 2-3 hours. She is likely to be trying to increase you breastmilk and likely going through a cluster feeding phase. If you want to keep breastfeeding then get some support but lots of skin to skin and baby at the best will help.

Thanks for your replies.

beherenow32 I think I will also be emotional as been very emotional and feeling guilty as she latches on so well and I can see the comfort it gives her. Ebf is not an option for me as I am already exhausted and struggle mentally when tired, also had very severe pnd with my boy so am terrified of being in that place again.

Ideally I would mix feed her but seeing her so worked up rooting at night when my boob is not enough is heartbreaking, and I have a 3 year old who is very demanding so need to do what's best for my whole family.

I am wondering if once my milk dries up she will stop getting so get up as she will no longer smell the milk and will settle into just having bottles and dummy for comfort?

Have you tried supplements?

Try looking into The Pregnancy Food Company and supplements such as Fenugreek and Brewers Yeast. All were a huge huge help to me.

Oh love, it's so tough but it does get earlier.

I second supplements, also make sure you are drinking enough water, I had to drink 4-5litres a day otherwise my supply dropped. Oats are also good.

But, at the end of the day you need to do what's best for you and your family.

Just to add.. rather than expressing 3 times a day, can you put her on the breast those times. Involve your other child just to normalise it at home.
It may be expressing isn't what your body needs but baby is.
And yes definitely drink plenty.
But please.. most importantly don't put your mental health at risk

*Still do formula at night that's okay, but during the day EBF maybe?

If you want to mix feed it helps to pick certain times to bottle feed. So 11pm (ideally not you!), 7am, 1pm or something and bf the rest of the time. More flexibility and predictability comes quite a lot later on

@MumToBe1980 it must be so hard with another child to look after too. Looks like everyone has given some good advice. Hope things settle for you.
My DD has been fully FF for the last 3 months, and is thriving. So, definitely do what is best for you as a family