Thank you so much for all your advice and such quick replies!
The situation with Conn was that he breastfed well in the first few weeks on demand but it was every half hour to an hour.He was extremely unsettled crying all the time.Everyone told me thats newborns and part of it but I felt there was something more.After that night of constantly feeding and the midwife telling me he had lost weight I knew that was it.She recommended expressing and feeding it to him on a spoon.I tried this but was impossible.I remember having a bottle and wanting to feed him but felt terrified he would stop breastfeeding.The next day after a terrible night of screaming he was listless and not very alert.The midwife said he needed to have more food now and as a last resort told me to supplement with formula.What a difference he was like a different baby,content and calm.The poor fella was simply hungry and for some reason was not getting enough for me.I did go and see a lactation consultant who gave great advice on positioning and recommended supplementing with a tube with EBM.It was just too finicky for me and at 3am was not going to be doable.My husband cannot help at all at night as he started chemo and radiation the day after Conn was born so needs all his sleep.The formula has not interfered with my supply.My supply has increased since the midwife recommended lactation tea and a homepathic supplement.The way I am doing it now is breastfeeding him first and then 60mls of formula but he doesn't even finish this every time.Yet if I just breastfeed him he gets cranky.I think every baby is different and we just have to do what we think is right.
One other thing I wanted to get advice on but this is probably the wrong place is what time should we be putting him to bed.At the moment he sleeps in the evening on the couch and then he had a feed about 10 and then we put him in the cot at 10.30 when we are going to bed.Should we be putting him earlier but if we do then hes in another room and I like to keep an eye on him
Jesse will usually have his last feed between 8 & 9. I put him to bed after that feed, but our brm is right next to the lounge room, so he's nice & close.
I think any where between 7 & 9. Whatever time suits you best. Try to put him down around the same time every night.
Jesse still feeds every 2 - 3 hours during the day, & would go longer on formula if I wanted to give it to him, but he is not unsettled like your little man.
I'm glad things are getting better.
I'm glad things seem to be getting better and YAY! for the increase in supply.
As for the sleep thing we ended up picking a nominal time for bedtime (7pm). and going from there. (we started the sleep cues: bath, massage, feed and wrap) and then put her down. at that age she would still wake sometimes around 10-12 for a feed then again somewhere between 3-4...ITH!
Good luck with it all! your baby is very lucky to have such a great mum!
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