Combination Feeding Help

[mrs shine]

I've been combining since he was about 6 weeks old, we're still only on about 2 bottles a day but I can't get him to take more than 3oz usually. Earlier on today it was just 2, he was still hungry and just whined until I gave him breast. He's been like it for a few days now, previously if only took 3oz he'd be happy. He has taken 5oz and more before but now we seem to be going backwards.
Any tips on how I can encourage to take more from a bottle so that he's satisfied, as it's now getting to the stage where it's kinda pointless x

(posting in both bottle & breast feeding areas)

 

[Sarahkka]

Why are you combining?
I'm not challenging your choice by that question, just trying to figure out your objective:
do you want him to be used to bottle feeding because it will make weaning easier? are you trying to get a bit of a break for yourself from breastfeeding? is he underweight and you are trying to supplement?
The answer would influence my advice. That's why I ask.
I'm inclined to follow baby's lead, myself. I combination feed out of necessity. I had an infection that left me with a low milk supply and Simon was underweight. I try to feed him the breast first because my objective is to keep my milk flow up and give him all the health benefits of BF without him starving.
I notice though, that my baby prefers bottles when he's really hungry, probably because it's less work to fill himself up. He prefers the breast when he wants closenes, comfort or feels sleepy. Have you noticed any patterns like this in your baby yet? That could help you come up with a strategy that works with baby's moods?

 

[mrs shine]

I'm slowly trying to wean off me and fully onto bottles as I have very large breasts which cause me a lot of discomfort and need them to get a bit smaller so I can function normally again.
I've tried bottles at different times of day, morning, afternoon and evening. Recently the only one he's taken without whineing afterwards is the bedtime one but still only taken 3oz. I guess maybe I should persevere with that one but the reason I was reluctant was I wanted to keep the bedtime and morning breast feeds til last as I found them the most intimate.
I don't know if it's a phase he going through or not

 

[Sarahkka]

Hmmm.
There was a thread in BF yesterday about tasting your own breastmilk and how many of had done it. Some said that they had tasted their own BM and how they thought it compared to formulas. That just made me think. Do you think it's possible that your baby doesn't like the taste of the formula you are using? Maybe he prefers the taste of the breastmilk?

 

[mrs shine]

Good idea. I'll try him with some EBM tomorrow, I've got a freezer full that I was saving until he was fully off me. When I first started out on formula this was the only one he'd keep down but I guess he might be ok with others now. thanks x