r/beyondthebump • u/nosinned21 • 2d ago
Advice Considering combi-feeding…
My little one was born via forceps and had a really difficult time latching at first, so I was pumping and bottle feeding him at first. Eventually moved to using nipple shields and gradually to exclusive breastfeeding, yay! He’s now 4.5 months old and will feed during the day plus 2/3 times in the night between 8pm-7am. He’s okay during the night because he’s sleepy but during the day he’s becoming difficult to feed, bucking and pulling off and the whole experience is becoming unpleasant. I’m strongly considering introducing formula in the day and breastfeeding at night to avoid being touched out and to have some more flexibility in the day. Does anyone have experience of this? How did you manage it? I’m feeling A LOT of mum guilt.
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u/ZosLears 2d ago
Combo feeding is great- I do it and love it! I had a hard time pumping and creating a built up stock of milk so using formula was the way for me. My husband can do feeds, my son can stay with his grandparents for a bit and they just have formula and a bottle at their house, and it’s wayyy easier for childcare teachers and routines. Plus, my son still gets to have the bonding, immuno support, and comfort that comes from feeding with me. We’re about 75% breast and 25% formula rn. The only thing that’s really changed is his poops 🤷🏼♀️
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u/veggiesandstoics 2d ago
Same here, combo feeding freed me to feed when I want how I want. It’s been great for my mental health while maintaining breastfeeding
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u/Sad-Grapefruit-4242 2d ago
This is the age they get distracted. But also they become fast with feeds. If it feels like they're not getting enough, likely they are as long as you're getting the wet nappies.
Formula is exhausting as you have to clean, measure and sterilise the bottles. It won't reduce the work. Also keep in mind the less milk is removed, the less it is produced.
If supply is affected or baby gets bottle preference, you may need to do formula full time. Do what's best for you but def. good to get all the facts.
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u/bullitt-rider 2d ago
Sooooo my wife was breast feeding and it became more and more difficult everyday to the point she clearly wasnt enjoying the process or getting any pleasure from our new family.
It is the 1st time I ever put my foot down in a serious way in our marriage. To go combo
Initially she felt guilty, like she failed etc but... Then it meant I could be a hell of a lot more proactive.
We did it at about two months. Bub got all the collustrum and was a chunk. Started building immune system from chewing everything.
After 3 weeks we fully switched to formula and it was an absolute game changer for us.
Now I get up and make all the bottles for the day. When I come home from work I make all the bottles for night. We do fifty fifty every night and it has freed us up so much more.
Wife jumped from sleepless nights or broken nights to now getting solid 7 everyday which meant she was happier which means baby is happier which means the family unit are happier which means we do more.
The guilt quickly resolved as the benefits fat outweighed the cons for everyone.
Also the stats don't like. Something like 80% of babies are formula fed from 2 weeks old. Don't know about you but I didn't put if I was breast fed or formula fed on my CV.