Willl introducing a FF a few times a week mean I'll lose my supply?

Sorry if this should be in a different section - i picked what felt like the closest relevant forum but there are a few issues here!

I'm having real difficulty with not ever getting time to myself to go out even once a month in the evening. CJ has always fed to sleep and won't sleep any other way except in the Ergo or car - when he wakes when transferred. I can't seem to pump enough for a full feed so I'm thinking of introducing a FF for him to feed to sleep with so he can at least be babysat. It won't be every night, just a few nights a week so he is comfortable with it. I just want an evening a month to go out! Some nights he'll be FFed to sleep in a separate bed and others will be BFed co-sleeping as usual. Will this confuse him or kill my supply do you think? I'll still BF to sleep for some day naps as well - I just want him to be comfy with both scenarios...



I always wanted to BF until he self-weaned and I still do - I don't want to jeopardize that but I need the time out or I'm gonna go batty. It's already getting to me and I'm irritable and snappy with him and everyone else but I also feel so guilty for wanting to introduce formula when I feel like I 'promised' him I'd BF him until he chose to stop... And now I'm betraying that. Or so it feels.

Quick question - what happens usually if you're not there at sleep time? You might be pleasantly surprised (if you haven't tried this already) to find your absolutely-must-feed-to-sleep baby will go to sleep without the boob if you're not around.

Formula will replace the breastmilk for that particular feed, so to that extent it will affect your supply. But it shouldn't kill it if we're only talking the odd bottle. A bigger risk (if you like) is if your DS decides he prefers the bottles. But again, if it's only the odd bottle it's probably not that likely.

Anyway, don't get me wrong, it's important you get some time out for yourself.

If I'm not there at sleeptime (which I've only ever braved during the day) then he will fall asleep on other people but won't be put down, and doesn't sleep as long as when he's in bed and on the breast.
And I doubt he will ever prefer the bottle - he takes EBM only very grudgingly and doesn't really suck properly - just sort of swallows the dripped milk that has accumulated in his mouth. He gets a lot of air this way too unfortunately but he just doesn't seem to want to suck properly. We're using the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature bottles.

It just comes down to what you're comfortable with Shades. You can keep breastfeeding with some concessions to ensure you get the break you need.
If he's not keen on bottles, then you may find it doesn't really matter because he'll just go to sleep and wait till you're there for a feed. Which will be fine for him if you're only going to be away ocasionally anyway.

Why not jus plan a nice night out and see how you go? You can always adjust your plans from there.

HI,

Marcellus has offered some great advice. Babies often have their *longest sleep" in the early part of the night. (not sure how old your little one is?) so if some-one else can get him to sleep, then he will stay asleep for 4 or so hours - perfect for a movie or catch up with friends. Most babies *want mum* if she's around - we are their favourite girl! But if she's not available they will quickly and esily make other arrangements.

Regarding the formula - the short answe is no - it's possible to successfully combine breastfeeding and bottle feeding. But bottles have a way of creeping in - you are busy, so you give a bottle, or you are tired so you give a bottle. And many mothers are then disappointed to find that they have effectively weaned their baby before they wanted to.

It's important to get some time for yourself - having a breastfeed baby shouldn't put a stopper on this. they are very adaptable! Good luck with it

hi shades, i just wanted to say as well that my DS has had occasional bottles of formula when we've gone out & he's stayed with my MIL. he's been fine & my supply has also been fine.

as barb says, bottles have a way of creeping in but luckily we've only ever given bottles on those occasions when we're out & DS won't have a bar of them if i'm there