Breastfeeding/combi feeding help

[ThatGentleScroller]

Hi everyone

My little boy is 17 days old but I’ve decided to stop EBF for my mental sanity. I’d really like to keep up one BF in the morning and one in the evening before bed and also ensuring I keep a little stash so we can give him some breast milk in a bottle for the foreseeable future alongside formula.

I’ve stopped the day feeds and he is getting a bottle, but still feeding him at night from the boob. I’m concerned my supply is drying up as when I pumped from the other boob this morning i didn’t get much. He still latches on so I’m sure he’s getting something.

Has anyone got any advice on how I can ensure my supply is enough for his two feeds a day and also an extra stash? I have no idea when I need to pump and all the info is so conflicting!

Thank you!

Your baby is still very young and breastfeeding won’t even be properly established yet. Once you start bottle feeding your milk supply will diminish. It’s very difficult, even with the faff of pumping, to keep your supply going. It’s the way it works, baby sucks, the breasts make milk.

Your idea sounds good but I don’t think it’s going to work.

Ahh I remember how stressful EBF was in the early days. If you want to pump, set your alarm for 4 in the morning and do it then, that’s when your supply will be at its greatest.
The only way to keep your supply up is to keep breast feeding or pumping. It may be not what you want to hear right now, but unfortunately it’s the only way.

As above, regular pumping. Try a power pump per day, you need to ensure you are super hydrated & eating well. I sear by eating oats every day. I’m bf but my friend has only just dropped her 1 morning bf after 8 months, so it is possible.

Honestly, it's unlikely to work because your supply isn't settled and you still need the hormones from actively feeding a baby to produce milk. In the long run (3-4 weeks) pumping is going to be more faff than feeding direct. What about feeding is causing you problems?

No judgement but at 17 days your lactation won’t survive just two feeds per day. The breasts need more stimulation and a baby is much better than pumping.
Can you introduce any more breastfeeds? It is tough and relentless at this stage but the more you can breastfeed, the longer it’s likely to maintain your supply. It is tough to combo feed this early on.