Can I breastfeed once a day?

[sunflowerandivy]

Hiya,
My DD is 5.5 months and was EBF until 2 weeks ago when I started introducing a bottle of formula. She's taking a bottle quite well but not huge amounts like it says on the tin. I have been slowly replacing breastfeeds with formula feeds and now all but two feeds are formula. The last breastfeeds left are the one before bed and any night feeds (1-2).
I was wondering whether I could breastfeed only once in 24 hours and still keep my supply? Has anyone done this? That way I can increase my supply again if I need to like if she's ill or for comfort or convenience but I mainly want her formula fed now as breastfeeding is taking its toll on me mentally!** We will start weaning soon too so

I cannot use a pump so can't use that to keep up supply. They do not work on me, annoyingly. Saw a lactation consultant about it and all checked etc. just one of those annoying things.

does anyone combi feed and only breastfeed once a day? Thanks for your advice and experiences

I did this for awhile, breastfed first thing in the morning only but also pumped once before bed. I think I made it work for almost 2 months but eventually he wasn't satisfied after the morning feed and I was getting less and less when pumping in the evening - went from around 230mls at the start to 20-30ml by the time I gave up.

I think this is probably something that varies from person to person but this comment jumped out at me...... "That way I can increase my supply again if I need to like if she's ill or for comfort or convenience" ....I found it very difficult to increase my supply or even maintain it once I dropped almost all feeds so I wouldnt count on this being possible.

I'm sure this would work because children are weaned onto solid food they cut down on milk feeds anyway. I did the 1st thing in the morning feed and last thing at night feed for ages before dropping down to just the last thing at night feed. it worked really well. good luck.

I fed once a day for ages but when mine were toddlers so they weren’t having bottles as well, just food and milk from a sippy cup. I think there would be a risk at this age that they’d get frustrated on the breast and give up, but you never know, it might work out for you

I did it for a while, around three months I think. I did just first thing in the morning and bedtime, then he started sleeping more deeply and not waking for the last bedtime feed so we dropped that. I stopped doing the morning feed when he started chewing on my nipple rather than sucking and didn't seem interested anymore.

I didn't find I could increase my supply though, he wasn't interested in the boob during the day as he loved his bottles! I did it because we have allergies in our family and I wanted him to get my antibodies for longer. I couldn't exclusively breastfeed as he wasn't getting enough for some reason, never figured out why.

Do babies fall asleep on the bottle at night the same way they do the breast?

Yes you certainly can. Your body is very clever and quickly gets used to what is expected of it. So if you feed just once a day at a certain time, your breasts will adapt and make the milk for this time. It's supply and demand.

You can, and your supply should keep up, but you may well find your baby stops wanting the breast as it isn't as easy to get milk out of as a bottle

I had one bf and on ff baby and in my experience no they don’t.

I fed just once a day for a year and a half before my toddler weaned completely.

One of each, yes for me they did - my bottle fed babe feed to sleep until about 15m

I fed just once a day for 7 months from when DD was about 13 months to 20 months. I did feed her more during some illness which led to her going to hospital so I think my supply must have been ok.