Should I switch to Formula or do supplementing and if, how?

Question

I feel guilty just thinking about, my LO is almost 4 months old and is exclusivley breastfed. I'm so drained and tired, I'm starting to get very cranky... It's taking it's toll on me. I know BF is best for my baby boy but I've been thinking about switching him to formula, or at least supplementing, I have a good milk supply and about 400 oz sitting in the freezer. How does supplementing work, how much would I have to use? How do I do a safe switch? I talked to the pedi and he said it's fine to switch, because I told him I'm looking at switching him at 6 months but now I might want to supplement... oh I don't know. My DH is being supportive. Is it normal to feel this drained? I don't know anyone else who BF around here... I could use some answers.... I planned on doing it 12 months orignially, after I started the first two weeks were hard and did it from day to day... then it got easier and now it's a lot of work because he is kicking and waving his arms and smiling, etc the entire time he's feeding. He is one energetic baby.

Thanks for listening! lol!

Answer 1

Breastfeeding can be draining,  but so can parenting in general, right?!  Maybe you could try to look at it from a different perspective.  You will be alive for 80+ yrs and will be breastfeeding for 1.  Thats 1/80th of your life.

I will say I formula fed my first and breastfed my second, and I really don't think formula feeding was any easier.  What did help make things less draining was to take some "time out" when breastfeeding.  I would watch a movie while breastfeeding, or lay in bed, etc.  This helped to give a sense relaxation to the action.

Also, keep in mind that you are 2 months away from starting solids.  When you start solids your breastfeeding will diminish, and become far less demanding.  For example when you are out and about with a 9 month old you can give them a snack when they seem wanting to breastfeed, and will hold them over fine.

Anyhow, good luck with whatever you decide.  My advice is just based off of my personal experience.

Answer 2

if you ahve a good milk supply just keep pumping and offering the bottle, and you can breastfeed during the day but at night offer the bottle. you may have to keep trying nipples if he rejects the first one.  

Answer 3

I recommend supplementing.  And yes, it is normal to feel drained.  It will get easier as some feedings drop out and as he sleeps through the night.

Here's my recommendation.  Take about two weeks to see if he will take some bottles with formula and nurse for other feedings.  Don't make a decision that it's not working until you've tried it for two weeks.  

Start on a Saturday morning by having your husband give the formula while you are not in the room.  If the baby cries and can't handle the bottle to the extent he gets so shrill and upset that it is a waste of time to keep trying, just come back in and nurse and try again the next feeding.  Ideally, try to time offering the bottle a little bit before the feeding would typically start, so the baby is not so hungry that he can't bear to try something new.  If you're lucky, by the end of Sunday night, he'll be taking the bottle perfectly happily.  If not, try the same thing for the feedings when your husband is home (mornings and evenings) during the week.  You may have some set-backs where he only wants the bottle or only wants to nurse, but if you persist, he should be able to switch back and forth in a few months without anyone thinking about it.

Realize that even if you exclusively breast-fed for a year, when you weaned, your body would make enough milk for the one or two feedings per day you continued to offer.  And if not, you can let him nurse for as long as he wants (he'll stop when he's not getting anything) and then offer a bottle afterwards.  People get way too scared about losing their supply.   I was so scared to do both nursing and bottle-feeding at first, but it has worked out fine.  My son is now 16 months and I have been nursing only once a day (with perhaps one extra one if something unusual is going on, for example the week we were on vacation in a new place and it was hard for my son to settle in for naps) since he was 12 months.

Answer 4

Yes, breastfeeding can be draining.  The only thing that kept me going in the first couple of months, was knowing how good it was for my baby. I know how you feel mommy.  :)

When people suggested I wean her, because I was so exhausted, I used to answer, "That's no an option. You want to help me? Cook me a meal." or "Do some dishes" or "mop the floor".

Even if you formula feed, if you have no one to help you, you will still be exhausted.  But I guess you're thinking maybe hubby can make, and give some bottles, and you'll get to rest.

Well what if hubby takes care of a different task?  Like the laundry, or dishes, or diapers and baths?  Would that help?

Things will get easier.  They will!  And you will have the satisfaction of seeing your baby grow and thrive on the best possible food.  Soon, she'll be able to show you how much he enjoys nursing.  And that's always the best reward.  He'll be patting your breast, looking up at you and smiling, hum while he drinks.  When you nurse you have  a tool ready for every situation no matter where you are.  It makes boo boos better, it calms temper tantrums, it satisfies thirst, hunger, and boredom.  There are things about breastfeeding that are easier than formula.

In 2 months, he'll be eating solids.  And someone else can take care of those feeds for you.  You 've made it this FAR!  Don't give up now mommy.  Breastfeeding is good for you too.  I 'm not trying to pressure you into anything, but it seems you dont' really want to stop.

Hang in there.  Email me anytime, if you feel down and need to talk.  

xox

Answer 5

Breast feeding can be draining. I did it until my son started biting and at times worried about drying up. That's why I inquired about formula.  

I don't know what your pedi thinks about suppliementing but I've always been told that it's hard on a baby's stomach to go back and forth between milk and formula. You could try weening off your breast itself and just pump and give him a bottle with breast milk in it. Then someone else can feed him and give you a break while he still gets the nutrients of mother's milk. Since you have a good milk supply I would use it while you can. It's free compared to buying formula. Drink plenty of water and take a good multi-vitamin. I'd talk to pedi again and get his suggestion on which formula to use. You may end up trying several different kinds before you figure out which one is compatable with your baby's stomach. Some cause more gas or more spit up than others so prepare yourself. Also you can contact a breastfeeding support group for support like your local La Leche League for  answers you couldn't get here. Don't feel quilty though. How you feed your baby is up to you. Even if you decide to stop breast feeding all together, you'll still be giving your baby what he needs.

Best wishes.

Answer 6

First of all, don't feel guilty.  You always have to think about what is best for you and your baby.  There is a balance.  

I was just getting ready to write how supplementing one or two bottles a day won't be a big deal, and should be fine... but then I remembered, that bottle feeding formula is such a mess!  It really takes more time than breastfeeding.  And it costs more money!  If you're a stay at home mom, I don't see how supplementing will actually give you any more time to relax or rest.  It is just more work... washing bottles, buying formula, mixing it, heating it up, washing bottles, etc.

I think that before you start to supplement you should evaluate how you're sleeping (enough?) and what you're eating.  You have to take care of yourself too!  Then, try and find some relatives to give you some time off... maybe one afternoon a week, someone else can have the little one and you get some time alone, to do with what you please.  Also, is Daddy getting up at night?  Maybe he can just do one feeding at night, or every other night... something to give you more rest.

After you've reevaluated all this, I don't see any reason why you can't supplement one or two bottles a day... the main concern is that you monitor your supply very carefully.  If you suspect that your supply is dwindling more quickly than you'd like, you need to pump or nurse more often.

Good lucK!

Answer 7

Man, good for you for sticking with it when you're all alone in your parenting community.  Bf'ing can feel difficult if you don't have any other bf'ing mamas around for support!  I know some folks think that La Leche League is only for the hard-core, but really it's there for folks like you who don't have other bf'ing friends.  Check it out if you want some support. (And while they may recommend trying to bf full-time rather than supplementing, they will support you in whatever bf'ing choice works for you.  If they don't, find another chapter!)

Online, check out www.kellymom.com for some great info and tips.  Both for full time and part time bf'ing

So, the flailing and activity you describe in your 4 month old is pretty typical, and can be very tiring and trying for you.  It does pass, but getting through this time takes some perseverance!  One thing that's recommended is going into a quiet, dark area to nurse so that there aren't any distractions.   Here's an article on the "Wakeful 4 month old" http://www.kellymom.com/parenting/sleep/...  (if it doesn't come through, just search the terms "wakeful 4 month old" on kellymom.com)

Regarding supplementing, it sounds like you won't have to use artificial milk!  You've got quite a stash in the freezer!!  If you keep pumping, then you probably won't have to buy any formula!

hope that helps and best of luck with your decision!

Answer 8

I am going through the same thing only my daughter just turned 3 months but I have to constantly pump because she cannot latch on it is so frustrating so 2 days now she has been just drinking formula and now she has gotten constipated and I feel really bad.

My milk supply is almost gone already I plan on trying to pump some milk and start bf again tomorrow.

I don't know if your baby is gonna take to the formula what if he doesn't like the taste have u tried feeding him formula? Your lucky your baby bf I think you should stick with it!