Hi,
Nothing much prepares us for life with a new baby. It can be really hard coping with the demands and uncertanties. Your baby is very young, and is behaving very normally for a new baby. Babies need to feed at the breast between 8-12 times in 24 hours at this age. And, while our adult brains do a quick calculation that says "2-3 hourly" Often we find that it doesn't work that way with babies - they can often have a cluster of feeds in at one point in 24 hours. It can feel like you may never get off the couch again. And as you have experienced with your baby, they have another time of the day or night when they go for a longer period. 5 hours is fabulous at this age. A baby's tummy is just the size of his clenched fist at this age - they can't fit much of anything in - and it needs to be filled frequently. At this age, they have little concept of day or night. But, it gets better, usually sooner rather than later. One mother who had "done both" with two differnt children (ie breastfeeding and bottlefeeding) recently said to me "with breastfeeding it can be hard at the start, but it gets much, much easier. With bottlefeeding, it may be a little easier at the start, but the workload remains the same - it never gets easier."
Breastfeeding is important for mother and baby. If you give formula you need to know that there is a very real risk that it could be detrimental to your breastfeeding experience, and may result in premature weaning from the breast. There are lots of ways to help you get breastfeeding off to a better start if that is what you want.
Personal experience? I remember, with my first, feeling so, so tired. My sister said "just give him a bottle - he'll sleep better" I did as she suggested. He guzzled down the bottle as though he'd been starving. It knocked a big hole in my confidence - I felt that at least, though, I would get a good night's sleep. Two hours after than he woke up for another bottle.....2 hours after that, another. It didn't help him to sleep at all, and by that stage my breasts were full and very uncomfortable - I was probably on the verge of mastitis. I mistook his need to be with me for hunger. I didn't realise that the fact that he was gaining weight well (had regained his birthweight by 2 weeks) and the fact that he had plenty of wet and dirty nappies meant that he was getting plenty of milk.
There is no right or wrong in this - we all do what is best for our babies and ourselves. Get back to us if you want more information or support
Regards
B