Combi Feeding Guilt

[Serenity_Now]

I have been exclusively BFing since LO was born, but several weeks of cluster feeding is starting to make me suffer headaches and hear odd things from sheer bone-weary exhaustion. He has gained 6.5 oz in less than 4 days to give you an idea of just how often and how much he feeds. I can't keep up unless I continue around the clock. He does not nap anymore during the daytime except these little 10 minute cat-naps. It's killing me.

My mom suggested combi feeding and my husband agrees. They assure me that LO will still get the important immunities from the BFing but that perhaps topping up with formula after the breast milk will help him sleep longer. I can't help but feel like I'm being selfish... anyone else felt this way? How do I relieve the guilt??

 

[Celesse]

I combi fed DD until 4.5 months old as to begin she just wouldn't gain weight without at least one or two bottles day, whatever I did. Then DS came along and he was poorly and I was poorly so he was combi fed until 8 weeks old. ... then at 16 weeks I decided that actually I would be happier if DS had a bottle a day and that it was ok to give him formula for that feeds, as long as he was happy and I was happy. I felt ok about giving him formula for some feeds as he was happier and I was happier. I felt that by giving that 1 bottle a day I was emotionally able to carry on breastfeeding him (and my toddler) as it rapidly reduced my stress levels.

Topping up after every breastfeed would probably see your supply decline and eventually go so you end up FF full time, which is totally fine if you are aiming to move over to formula. If you want to make combi feeding work long term the best way is to FF to a schedule and BF on demand. Pick 1, 2 or maximum 3 feeds a day which will be FF and the BF on demand in between. Spread out the FF as much as possible. When I was combi feeding DS I found he would sleep longer after a bottle (of formula or EBM it didn't matter) but then act like a BF baby in between (shorter sleeps more frequent feeds)

 

[Noelle610]

I totally understand how it feels to be sleep deprived and desperate - right there with you now!

I combi feed and quite honestly, I don't find that my LO sleeps any longer if I give her a bottle of formula before bed as opposed to expressed breast milk. I know that it's supposed to take the body longer to digest infant formula, but in our case there hasn't been a difference.

 

[kat2504]

i combi feed - mostly bf but some bottles of formula or ebm if i can be bothered to pump. i find formula makes no difference to sleep at all. it has the same calories in as breastmilk.

the suggestion about replacing full feeds with formula is best - it is better for your supply and also more practical if you want to get out and about. I would guess a good plan to try would be starting the day with a nice full breastfeed as supply is often best early in the day. Perhaps make the second feed a bottle after a while. Bf on demand during the afternoon. If your baby does not rely on nursing to sleep then give a bottle at bedtime - will hopefully prevent the cluster feeding a bit. BF for the first night waking to prevent engorgement waking you up. bottle from daddy for second night waking so you get more sleep.

remember to drop breastfeeds one at a time and wait at least three days, perhaps a week, before dropping the next one. this should prevent mastitis. i would swap the bedtime feed first.

 

[Lucia]

I would not feel badly about wanting to add some formula into his diet. You aren't even talking about totally stopping BFing. Do what you need to do in order to maintain your own sanity. He needs a happy mommy too!

I am combi feeding and my little guy who eats a lot does sleep longer when he takes formula compared to my breastmilk.

 

[Serenity_Now]

Thank you ladies so much for the advice and the explanations of how to best combi feed as I've been kind of in the dark about it. Does anyone else's LO have constipation issues because of formula? I had to FF for 24 hours due to a migraine medication and it seems to have really bound him up. He did not sleep well last night, and I think that's why... I BF all of yesterday since 10 AM, all night, and all of today so far. He only had a little formula - like a teaspoon - yesterday to take his Colief (basically baby Lactaid).

 

[Celesse]

DS started going more frequently when we introduced formula. He was going every 5 days, but started going daily within 3 days. I think some change in bowel habit is normal when adding in formula. Breastfed babies can go anything from pooping every change to only pooping every 10 days and its "normal", where-as FF babies tend to be a bit more regular.

 

[mrsbw]

Please don't feel guilty if this is what you want and need to do.

I started combi feeding when Jake was 5/6 weeks old as his weight gain was shocking on breastfeeding and I was getting in such a state with myself.

At the time I felt dreadful about doing this - so guilty - why I don't know as I soon realised it was the best thing I ever did. He went from an overtired unhappy baby who fed ALL the time as I hadn't enough to satisfy him, to the most chilled out fella any of us know.

Also combi doesn't have to be the end of bfing. I just weaned him off the breast last week after nearly 7 mths of feeding he has teeth and has started to nip! I managed so much longer than I expected to and really think any bfing is good for them and us.

Feel free to PM me if I can help at all x

 

[kat2504]

Perhaps try one of the "comfort" brands of formula that are meant to help with colic and constipation - i think aptamil make one.

 

[MrsButterfly]

I've recently started combi feeding my 3 week old and it's definitely bunged him up more. Gone from 5 or 6 dirty nappies a day to 1 or 2 x