Breastfed and reducing formula

[M24L]

Looking for some advice, this may be a bit of a long one.

DD is 7 weeks old, breastfed as soon as she was born she latched on perfectly and fed for an hour and 40 minutes, we were then moved from the labour ward to maternity and she just didn't seem to want to take to the breast at all. I persevered with it all throughout the night and morning but DD just kept crying.

A MW offered me a small bottle of formula to settle her as she seemed hungry, DD was born 9lb 14oz so she was a big baby. MW advised that it's not recommended but wouldn't do DD any harm so I agreed as my nipples were in agony because DD wasn't latching on correct and I was just left to it (first time breastfeeder) no help from MWs on the maternity ward to make sure DD was on correctly.

Anyway fast forward a few weeks and because I had introduced formula I found myself having to top up DDs feeds by giving her a bottle of formula after a breast feed. I was upset by this as I wanted to exclusively breastfeed but with determination over the last few days we've managed to reduce DDs formula top up from 15oz down to 3oz and shes breastfed the rest.

However the 3 oz shes still having is around 6-7 o'clock at night when she literally screams the house down she will feed of the breast for around 20 mins then she crys and pulls off and will not go back on the breast all while she's screaming there's no comforting her at all by rocking or walking etc but as soon as I give her the bottle she stops so I 100% think it's hunger.

How do I get her to stop needing the formula at that time? I know my milk supply needs to get up and I need DDs help with that so perseverance is key but it kills me to see her so upset and hungry.

Will it ease off in a few days if we stick at it?

Just looking for some advice or stories from people who have successfully ditched the formula and been able to resume exclusive breastfeeding.

Thanks in advance ☺

Could you express breast milk and feed her that in the bottle? I have a hakaa manual pump which I attach to the opposite boob when I feed overnight and usually collect 90-120ml over two feeds? My husband feeds our daughter a bottle of breast milk around that time and it seems to work well to fill her up for the night!

Probably the last thing you want to do but your hormones for milk production are highest at night - can you get her to extend night feeds a bit as that will boost your overall supply? Or add in a late night expressing session? I’d also make sure you’re well hydrated in the afternoons, in case that affects things in the evening.

I am not sure if being inconsolable really has to do with hunger. A lot of children cry around this time of the day as they get through all the emotions of the day. Also this is usually the time (and at night) where they do the cluster feeding to adjust milk supply.

Do you have support by a lactation consultant?

Gdt a haakaa , we'll get 2 always good to have a spare.

Bit fiddly at first balancing a baby and a haakaa but you will get used to it and so easy to build a stash.

I would look for a local breastfeeding counsellor or lactation consultant. They can help you reduce the top ups as well as look for any underlying cause.

@MGee123 I have the medela twin pump and I was trying to express after each feed, I was managing to get 1oz each time but this was during the 15oz formula top up, since we started reducing the formula DD basically feeds constant from me so I'm not really getting a minute to express at this moment.

@Hollyhead DD normally wakes up 4 hourly at night so I have her sleeping before half 9 every night and she will wake again at half 1 then again around half 5 then she wakes between 8 and 9am although last night she went down at 9 and slept until 20 past 5 this morning fed until 6 and is still sleeping now. She has been exclusively breastfed at night since the start as she always took to the night feed so well its just the day feeds that were the issue.

@Peachi82 I don't no I did have at the start and they signed off because she said DD was latching on fine etc, tbh they weren't much help in regards to information for reducing formula eventually.

@whoknew23 I have the haakaa i used it back at the start but worry about using it the now as when DD feeds I offer her both breasts so I'm always worried about using the haakaa as let down on the other boob incase it takes the majority of milk away from DD.

@BertieBotts I had one but they weren't the greatest tbh and they signed off when DD was about 2 weeks.

Your local children's centre should have a breastfeeding support group or you can ask your health visitor where you can get some help.
2 weeks support is not really enough.

Obviously there are private lactation consultant, we used one for my son when we got his tongue tie assessed (as it wasn't spotted after birth) and they are usually very good (but can also be expensive).

Even though I managed to exclusively breastfeed my son, I wouldn't be too worried about a little formula top up. I know however where you're coming from and why you want to ditch the bottle all together. From what you describe you both have been doing so well! ❤

@Peachi82 all the support groups in my area are cancelled due to covid unfortunately.

I FF my DD1 so I have nothing against it but I love BF DD2 so was really hoping to do it exclusively. Thank you, It's been a hard process but to be able to finally see it getting some where is an amazing feeling.

Have you tried La Leche League for advice? They offer 1:1 support, have in person meetings in some parts of country but if not near you have online meetings you can join.

@lalalapurple I haven't no, I'll have a look at them just now. Thanks for that 😁

I know this would be very annoying but I’d express during her 4 hourly night time stretches or after every feed in the day, any way you can to get that 3oz of breast milk so you can start replacing the formula with breast milk, then look towards stopping it.

My babies both cluster fed and cried at that time every evening anyway. It’s so hard seeing them miserable.

@Hopefullysweatmightbewee I could express in between DD going down for the night and her rising again.

She normally has a cry around 7ish and a walk about the house cuddled into DHs shoulder normally settles her but last night nothing soothed her until she was given the Bottle it was horrible.