A reluctant confession

[michaeljacknnugg]

What about formula during the day and breastfeeding morning, evening and overnight? As long as your body is in a predictable routine it should be ok with supply.

[barbaraz78]

I also did not enjoy bf as I wanted, and I had an only one. This is why I stopped bf at 7 mo (and my supply was also decreasing by this time, so ds wanted much more than I could give, especially in the evening).
Dom't feel guilty. I am a big supporter of the right of every mum to make this choice. Bf is and should remain a choice, and it does not work for everyone.

I was also thinking about the possibily if mixed feeding, this could be a compromise that does not make you guilty.

[cuckoochick]

Hugs, I loved and hated BFIng both times around. It's very intense and relentless at times to the point where I felt like I could run away but I am very pleased that I did it. Neither of mine would take a bottle until around 7mos but once they did we combi fed quite successfully with DD2 who now loves her bottles. C was never a fan and wouldn't take one from me.

Big big hugs xxx

[weaver]

I'm pretty sure I don't want to exclusively breastfeed any more, but I'm nervous to reduce feeds because I know once my supply dips it would be really hard to get it back up.  Even though I'd rather do bottles it seems like a route of no return to start supplementing regularly and I don't want to have regrets over this either.  I appreciate everyone's comments, I guess I will just plod along and see how it goes.

Sounds like you need to take your time.  I suppose the key thing is that it doesn't have to be black and white, yk?  Lots of folks do mixed feeding in various combinations.

Personally I hated hated hated pumping so stopped when LO1 was about 5 mos and never did for LO2 (who refused anything plastic anyway, so there was no point!). Without pumping, BFing was much more enjoyable for me.  We all have different stories.

I'm nervous to reduce feeds because I know once my supply dips it would be really hard to get it back up.

TBH I don't think it would be that hard - two or three days of lots of feeding and you'd be there, probably.

((HUGS))

[TB9]

Sounds like combo feeding would be a good option for you and DH!

[barbaraz78]

I also did combo feeding for a while before giving up at 7 mo. At 4 mo I came back to work, so the mid-morning feeding was from pumping (skipping that feeding allowed me to have enough to pump) or formula when i could not pump. And dream feed was always formula since 5 mo, as I did not have enough at 11 pm for him (he usually drained 200 mL at the dream feed). My supply was not affected at all. Oh, and even if I was bf, I went away for five days for work just before the 4 mo mark, I pumped for the five days, and left ds with frozen bm and formula. When I came back DS latched exactly as before, and I had no problem with the supply.

[*Ali*]

No need to make the decision now if you are happy to plod along as you are. You can always take each day as it comes and see how you feel.

[*Liz*]

When I was trying to decide what to do with Jacob I had him taking bottles of formula and I was pumping the missed feeds. I didn't want to lose my supply if he was no better on a bottle anyway (we were switching due to him being a horrid reflux feeder). So I protected my supply for a few days until I knew I was happy, them I dropped the pumping and combo fed for a while.

There are always options honey  .

[Emami]

What about formula during the day and breastfeeding morning, evening and overnight? As long as your body is in a predictable routine it should be ok with supply.

This is what I've done the last 3 days and it's been fine.  Annabel doesn't seem to care how she gets fed as long as she gets fed.  It does make me a little sad that she doesn't prefer me, but then  at myself because this is exactly what I want, and much better than the alternative of her being upset.  I also am surprised / confused that I cut right down to this from feeding her full time, and was planning to pump to relieve any engorgement, but I haven't felt full at all. Shouldn't my boobs notice that they don't have a baby attached to them?  Does that say something about supply or am I just lucky that it's been easy 

[*Liz*]

She STTN honey - you can't have supply issues  .

[Emami]

Good point! Lol. I just was expecting to be leaking and I don't feel like I've missed any feeds at all.

[*Liz*]

Your body must just regulate very easily. It's a good thing  .

[michaeljacknnugg]

That's great! It will take a bit of adjustment though, be kind to yourself xxx

[*Ali*]

Glad you are finding a way that works for your family

[*Liz*]

I stopped BFing DD at 9 mths due to my illness, and she loved that bottle as much as me. I remember feeling a bit funny as well. BFing is a very raw hormonal thing isn't it??