Breast to Bottle Worries

[LukesMummy]

My LO is almost 6 weeks old and has been EBF.  In the last couple of weeks, he has gone from being contented and feeding roughly every 3 hours to being cranky and needing feeding every hr.  He's putting weight on, but my HV thinks he may not be emptying the boob.  I've tried expressing at the end of a feed to empty it (thinking I could top him up), but I hardly even get 0.5oz.  So he's obviously doing alright on that score.

I've started topping up with formula instead and that seems to be settling him down nicely.  He's a very good baby and doesn't seem to have any problem going between breast and bottle and doesn't really seem to mind what temperature the bottle is, or whether it's formula or breast milk.

I'm now considering going over to bottles exclusively.  DH doesn't really mind either way, but thinks bottles may be the way to go as I'm knackered having to feed LO so often, particularly overnight.  Bottle and breast feed obviously takes longer, so isn't as convenient for night feeds.

What I can't seem to find anywhere is advice on what I should do to stay comfortable and avoid mastitis.  If I express, should I just express to relieve the pressure - in which case what do I do overnight?  Or should I be expressing til I'm empty?  If I'm only expressing to relieve the pressure, should I save the milk to make a feed, or chuck it?  Won't it all be foremilk if I save it, so won't keep LO full for long anyway?  I don't think cold turkey is an option, as I mistimed today and ended up with a boob as hard as a rock!  

Also how long would it take for my milk to dry up?

Thing is, I feel really guilty.   It seems so early still, and I do worry what people will think of me   (though I know I shouldn't).  I do feel I'd like to stop BF, it's not that I don't enjoy it, it's just I can't say I enjoy it either.  With his current EBF habits, I feel tied to the house.  I'm not the sort who can just whip a boob out and feed anywhere, so I worry he may get hungry and I'll have to find somewhere to feed.  

I feel in a bit of a quandary, but that a bit more information about what's involved in doing a full switch at this stage may help me feel better - which ever way I decide to go.

Sorry this is so long, with so many questions.    But any advice would be much appreciated.
xx

[Archies mummy]

Hi lukesmummy I totally understand where you're coming from. Here's my story;
I b fed until 6 weeks
combined formula and breast for another couple
mainly fed bottle but expressed until my milk stopped for another couple of wks and gave 1 or 2 ebm feeds
formula since

I would recommend combining breast and bottle until you make your mind up. But it sounds like you already know what you want. I expressed twice a day for 2 wks until my milk stopped, there was just less and less there until nothing. I did give this milk to ds, as long as you are expressing to empty your boob it shouldn't just be foremilk.

As for feeling guilty, don't. Not if it's making you unhappy. Every one knows breast is best but a GP told me the first day is the most important, then the second then the third and so on. Everyday is less beneficial than the day before, that's why they recommend a one off breast feed even if you have no plans to breast feed. So you've done the most important bit.

[mommytocandd]

I think you need to do what's best for you and your family, and if that is bottle feeding, then you should do it.  6 weeks of BF is great for your baby.

What I would do is pump to relieve the pressure (maybe 1 ounce) when you feel full.  This will probably be every 3 hours for the first few days, then gradually lessen.  For overnight, I would just pump when you need to (you'll wake up if you're full!).  You could try combining the EBM with formula, so it wouldn't matter if it's all foremilk.

Another option would be to cut down the feeds/pumps to fewer a day.  I went back to work when DS was 4 months old, and I would feed him in the morning, evening and DF with breastmilk, the other feedings he would have formula or EBM.  It's amazing how your body can adapt to this, it that is what works for you.

[LukesMummy]

I kinda like the idea of feeding in the morning, evening and DF.   Almost the best of both worlds.  I think part of the reason I feel I may want to stop is that I feel so isolated.  Not knowing when he may be hungry on EBF, I don't venture out much and when I have done, he's always created and I've had to cut short what I'm doing to get him home for a feed.

By BF morn, eve and DF, that would mean formula for the rest and a little more predictability about when he'll be hungry and a little more sleep - hopefully!  

How did you go about getting to just the 3 feeds?  Is it just a case of replacing one feed for a few days and pumping to relieve any pressure, then replacing a 2nd feed for a few days etc?  Could I do one day feed and one night feed at the same time - or might the pressure build up too much?  My R boob seems to be suffering more quickly in that department than L.  I guess it may just be a case of trying and see.

[Archies mummy]

When I started combining I just bfed less each day, replacing one feed extra a day with formula. Combining as you say it a great compromise. I just found bottle feeding much less stressful and I liked to know how much he was getting. You may want to b feed in the night rather then making up bottles that was the only time I wanted to bfeed once I'd stopped.

[mommytocandd]

How did you go about getting to just the 3 feeds?  Is it just a case of replacing one feed for a few days and pumping to relieve any pressure, then replacing a 2nd feed for a few days etc?  

Yes, that's exactly what I did, and no problems for me with engorgement or mastitis.

BTW-not getting out much with a 6 week old is pretty normal   It does get easier.  And, after BF 3 children, I did find breastfeeding much easier than bottles, especially when they were 2-3 months old.  Once you get to solids, you have to pack snacks for the baby so it's not much more trouble to take a bottle.  Good luck with whatever way works best for you.

[LukesMummy]

Thanks so much for your thoughts.    Think I'll combine for a little longer, but feel much better now.