Combination feeding
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@Maddie Thankyou, was thinking about solely breastfeeding for maybe the first couple of weeks and then just pumping so baby can get used to a bottle. But was too sure on that idea. We have a set up of everything in our bedroom including bottle warmers and prep machines you name it (I’ve gone a bit mental with the tommee tippee range 😂) so was hoping bottles during the night would be ok, but again it’s not something I’m 100% set on yet, just wanted advice and opinions before I set my heart on it, did you discuss it with your midwife before you had baby? Congratulations by the way ☺️
@Liv wow you sound organised! We have a milk warmer but because it’s cold currently I don’t even want to get out of bed 🤣 I did discuss it with midwife (shes a close friend of mine) they usually suggest exclusively breast feeding for the first 6 weeks until your supply comes in. You don’t have to discuss it with them, some may try and change your mind and try and get you to just BF.
@Maddie hahahaha some would say “too organised” honestly, I’m quite surprised with myself at how organised I am 😂 i never usually am! Yeah that’s true, I know a few midwives are against it slightly, so will definitely keep my options open, think it may just be a “see how I feel at the time” sort of thing! Thankyou for sharing your experiences though! I really appreciate that ☺️
@Liv you’re welcome! Best of luck and feel free to message if you have any questions! Being a first time mum is a minefield!!!
Im thinking of breast feeding but pumping so my baby can be fed with a bottle. I’d love dad to be able to feed. Any tips welcome for that style of feeding 🤞🏻
Initially you will need to breastfeed at night or pump in the night if you don’t as that’s when prolactin is at it highest. Also I think it’s much easier to breastfeed at night because you don’t need to leave the bed and the hormones that are released help you fall back to sleep. Once breastfeeding is established I think a lot of people give a bottle as the last feed of the day to help get a longer initial stretch of sleep. Unfortunately my first never accepted a bottle so I’m hoping this one is more accepting 🤞
With my first we combi fed, direct breast feeding alongside formula from very early days partly due to weight issues but it definitely helped share the load in terms of night feeds. We carried on until 9 months. Message me for more details!! Undecided what we will do this time but definitely feel there are mental health benefits to combi feeding whichever way you decide to do it.
@zara exactly the same! I feel like I’d be able to get a better stock up too! Hope all goes well for you! ☺️
@Stephanie Thankyou! Will definitely breastfeed for the first few weeks! Always worried incase baby doesn’t get enough and I won’t know, I think that’s why I’m so pushed towards pumping, but will definitely ensure it’s only breast milk in the beginning! Thankyou so much! ☺️
@Liv I think a lot of people have that concern but you get used to it. As long as they have plenty of wet and dirty nappies and are gaining weight then they are getting what they need. The first few weeks are hard but once you get past that I think it’s so much easier.
You might find it easier to swap it around. Then your not messing about with bottles at night.
I’m combi feeding and it works well however I BF at night as it’s so much easier than getting a bottle sorted. Especially in early days when they feed 2/3hrly overnight. We give bottles in the evening. Also expressing alongside feeding and looking after a baby alone in the day is hard work so now I only express when I need too (feel full or sore) and am giving formula in a bottle!