Thanks, i don't have mastitis this time but those things helped me when i had it, its bloody awful, i suppose thats something to be thankful for.
I know it would be hard stopping now or in a years time i don't think it matters how long you feed them for its just sad when you stop that lovely snuggly feeling you have with them sometimes.

I'll have to get myself a bottle of vodka and some nice underwear to cheer myself up, ooh i feel a little better already just thinking about those possibilities, lol.

You have my sympathies, lola. When I stopped, I cried and felt so bad, and I hadn't even really enjoyed it that much.
I think the vodka and nice underwear should help soften the blow. I can vouch for the alcohol - I went for a girly night out for my first night of 'freedom', lol.

I agree with babychickens. I'd hate to lose all that valuable information in a big thread.
You could make a point of checking for breastfeeding threads as and when they come up.

We could also look at adding/updating a few links to the existing stickies.

oh bless you, i know how you feel, i had to stop with my son before i was ready, he ended up seriously ill in hospital and lost his suck reflex at 6 months. i expressed for him for the next 3 months but my supply went down so much I couldnt do it after we left hospital as only the hospital grade pumps would get any out!
you have done fab getting to 7 months, maybe you could think of another activity to do together where you get cuddles, maybe a bedtime routine of reading a book? Or watching a baby einstein dvd or similar together?
and yay for the vodka! every cloud has a silver lining lol

I agree with babychickens. I'd hate to lose all that valuable information in a big thread.
You could make a point of checking for breastfeeding threads as and when they come up.

We could also look at adding/updating a few links to the existing stickies.

I agree, I dont think a sticky for bfing would work. its such a diverse topic, that it could end up several pges long in no time- ending up going round in circles with people asking the same question as the thread is too long to read through with a screaming baby.

Its a shame that the sheffield forum cannot accommadate a breastfeeding group:( I suppose we'll just have to leave things as they are.

Thats a shame, i know so many new mums that have given up as there wasn't enough support. Their is breastfeeding group in Hillsborough library and a friend of mine is training to be a peer supporter but its only on once a week, i know she would have been really interested in contributing.

a friend of mine is training to be a peer supporter but its only on once a week, i know she would have been really interested in contributing.

oohh where did she find out about this? I'd be interested in training to be a peer supporter too for bfing.:)

The NCT provide breast feeding counsellors - you can chat to them on the phone!

I found them useful when I was breast feeding but after my little boy lost so much weight after a month of trying (and was heading for hospital cos' I couldn't produced enough milk) we had to give up and go to formula and he thrived.

Breast feeding is brilliant but I'd like to say to anyone who 'fails' at it that it is not the end of the world. I know I berated myself badly for a long time at my 'failure' to provide.

i am a qualified breastfeeding support worker and successfully BF both my sons till they were 15 months old. I would be happy to give advice and put people in touch with the relevant organisations.

Hi, I breastfeed my baby, shes 6 months now. still breastfeeding. it is tiring. she wont take a bottle as well. so solidly b/f. and solids now.
at first I found it hard. but it does get easier,
but I need to start her having the bottle/formula as i am going back to work in april. I have just got her nursery sorted.

Hi, I breastfeed my baby, shes 6 months now. still breastfeeding. it is tiring. she wont take a bottle as well. so solidly b/f. and solids now.
at first I found it hard. but it does get easier,
but I need to start her having the bottle/formula as i am going back to work in april. I have just got her nursery sorted.

Hi beth neither of my sons would have a bottle or a dummy ther would both baulk when they put them in their mouths. I went back to work when they were both 9 months old so needed them to have some of feeding solution when i wasnt their. I was reccomended a special cup by a collegue of mine designed for breast fed babies. It is called a doidy cup and basically all it is, is a 2 handled cup which is raised up at one side so that the baby can use the same feeding technique they already use. They are avalible from various online breastfeeding shops and cost around £8. I used this cup with both my boys and they eventually went onto using a normal cup without having to use beakers or feeder cups. Hope this helps and good luck xx

:)hi you can also buy a doidy cup from John lewis about £4.00. Also most of the children centres run peer support training just give them a call to find out when the next one is and they also run breastfeeding support groups there is one at The Meadow Childrens Centre on a thursday morning 10 til 12 aswell as at the Early Days Centre (sorry cant remember which day)

Hi, I have got a doidy cup, Ihave had it a while. the only problem I find wth that is, is she always pours it over her. and she tries biting it!!
we do try her with SMA (the red one), but I dont think she likes it. any suggestions what I can/could try. I know they say they are supposed to have so much milk a day. but how do you know how much they are having when they are b/f.
how many times do you b/f for and how long?

my little one is a nightmare, shes 13months and still breastfed, she used to take expressed milk fine in a bottle but wont go anywhere near it now. I mentioned it to my HV and basically got a lot of grief for still feeding her!! I dont want to stop yet but I would like to gain a little independance once in a while!
We have a doidy cup for my disabled son and she wont drink out of there, she drinks juice from a cup fine though. The worst time is bedtime, she has to have a nurse or wont settle, my OH keeps trying and she cries 'boo boo' for booby lol.

Have any decisions been made about the OP? I've been meaning to raise a similar query thread for a while. I'm still breastfeeding my 15 month old son and am a qualified breastfeeding peer supporter too. I'd be happy to contribute with information, support etc.

There's a new group of us who will be working out of the Jessops Unit, in the Parentcraft room for the breast feeding drop in but also helping mothers ante-natally and post-natally and going onto the wards.

If anyone has any queries about this service please feel free to pm me.

Obviously this is an unknown experience for me and I was just wondering (for May) what it is like?

Is it difficult?

What problems can you have?

How do you know if baby has had enough?

How do you know how much baby has had?

My experience is limited, I only did 6 weeks but I'll share because I never felt most confident.
One of my girls wouldn't latch on and didn't have suction power, the other pretty much showed me how to do it!
I never had any idea if they had had enough, their feeding was erratic so I expressed and bottle fed after 2 weeks, that solved the problem.
I ended up with blood in my milk and was advised to keep feeding through it, I didn't, I threw the milk away instead but expressed less to give it chance to heal.
My positioning with twingle 2 was accidentally fine but a royal nightmare with twingle 1 and I felt absolute vile hatred towards the nurses and midwives who couldn't seem to keep their hands off me when I kept trying. I eventually stopped even trying to feed directly from the breast just to keep them away from me but then I tried again at home and succeeded a little.
Expressing was unpleasant, i felt like a cow being milked but I wanted to give them breast milk and the 'feed one express for the other' routine was pants, easier in the end to express for both. Expressing didn't hurt electric pump) just not comfortable and unamusing and time consuming but I used to read a magazine too.
So for me it was a very patchy experience and eventually we put them just on formula but they did get the colostrum (expressed and given via pipette) and 6 weeks worth of milk which is better than none IMO.
Having said all that, I'd definitely try again and harder with any future kids but I'd give the nurses more grief about handling me.

It's difficult to say if it is difficult, if you see what I mean- some mums find it easy, others very difficult.
I've been lucky enough to find it easy (in fact I'm having difficulty getting my 18m old off!)
Some of the difficulties: baby doesn't seem interested; can't get a good latch (grip) on the nipple; not getting enough milk; swollen boobs; nipple pain; mastitis- sorry this is making it sound horrible but often these problems can be overcome.
My personal experience was that at the beginning they feed a lot to try and get your milk flowing, when I did this at first I felt like I was feeding too often and also struggled to get him into the right position, because they need a lot of support when they are tiny, you have to get their tummy to yours and kind of hold their head in place. The feeding also gave me sore nipples which was very painful when he first latched on but they were ok after a couple of weeks and you can get nipple cream to soothe. Sometimes whilst your boobs are kind of learning your baby's feeding pattern you'll get very full or maybe squirt milk out and they can be a bit painful but they soon start to work with your baby.
Your midwife will weigh your baby every few days to check their weight gain and if your baby is really losing weight that's one indication they are not getting enough, but often this can be overcome- all babies are different. In the immediate you know your baby has had enough when they stop feeding or seem calmer, often falling asleep. You'd be amazed how much they get out- sorry to be graphic but when mine have thrown up after a feed it's seemed like masses! (They do that a lot too!)
You don't know how much they have had exactly, but don't worry about that unless there is a problem with their weight, some feed wuickly, others have a lot, just as we do when we eat- you don't measure everything, you eat when you're hungry!
A nother thing is feeding in public can be a bit daunting but really people don't care I've found.
I also want to say, I've found it lovely, giving your little one a lovely special cuddle and it comforts them immediately, it's free, hygienic, healthy and portable!

I had a much more positive experience. With my first i expected it to come naturally i never thought i wouldn't be able to do it and it was difficult at first but it is something that both you and the baby have to learn. But once i had ( about 2 days and making the most of the breastfeeding peer worker) it was heaven although i must admit it is painful at first but that does go.

when your baby has had enough they will come off themselves and look like a drunk old man or they will fall asleep and the sucking pattern will change and you can take them off. I've breast fed both of my babies and it isn't always the easiest but it is very rewarding and you are ultimately giving them the best start.
I don't know where you live but i have the number of some really good peer supporters if you ever wanted to pm me.

I think one of the biggest problems with breastfeeding is that women expect the support of the midwives and they just don't give it for various reasons. Get in touch with the la leche league or a supporter if you need the help.

I'm still breastfeeding my 15 month old and, hand in hand with motherhood, it has been the most rewarding experience of my life.

I heard all sorts of horror stories beforehand and my attitude was "I'm breastfeeding this baby unless my nipples fall off". Fortunately, it didn't come to that! Be confident in your ability to do it and know where to get help if you're struggling.

I would say the best thing that you can do is prepare yourself. I had a two hour session as part of my NCT antenatal classes which was invaluable. I would say that getting the latch/position right is the key to unproblematic, discomfort-free breastfeeding. The NHS do a pretty good leaflet, A Mother's Guide to Breastfeeding which you should be able to get from your mw. This has pictures showing how to make sure the baby is latched on properly. Go along to one of the breast feeding cafes or the Drop In Clinic at jessops and watch some other women breastfeed or have a chat to mothers or peer support counsellors (I am one) about the joys and pitfalls. There are a variety of help lines you can call if you need immediate advice (the NCT and La Leche League) and online the babycentre.co.uk website has a couple of boards on its forum for breast feeding advice which I've found helpful. Arm yourself with some Lansinoh (puritans might say this is unnecessary if your latch is correct but in the early days it can help ease your nipples and carry on feeding without too much pain).

If the baby is producing plenty of wet nappies then he's getting enough milk. If he seems to want to feed constantly this is probably a growth spurt and a baby instinctively feeds more (sometimes it feels like constantly) as the suckling works to increase the mother's milk supply and makes sure there's enough for the growth spurt to take place. Mothers may misinterpret this to mean she's not producing enough milk and resort to a bottle to top up - counterproductive as the baby will then be suckling less. I could go on all night! A good book is Kathleen Huggins A Nursing Mother's Companion.

Once you and your baby have mastered breastfeeding (I found it got so much easier after the first six weeks) your parenting life will be immeasurably easier: no sterilising, mixing formula, preparing bottles for the night, to go out. You can just pick up your baby and go. And the intimacy and bonding is to me priceless.

Good luck and feel free to pm me if you want to.

My son latched straight on breast feed brill,my daughter didnt take well so stopped after expressing for 2 week. every baby is diffrent

I agree with RozeePozee. Having done the 2hr NCT breastfeeding course, it all came naturally, although others in our group found it harder.

One thing that really worked was 'self-latching'. For a long time I had wondered how us humans sorted this out, seeing as other animals seem to know how to latch. Anyway, at the course they showed us self-latching. It basically works on the principal that the baby knows what to do and will find it's way to the boob if placed on the belly. We watched a video on it and it was incredible. So, the day Adam was born I lay in bed (magical, in the middle of the night just the two of us!) and popped him on my naked tummy to see what he would do. 15 minutes later he'd commando crawled to my breast and from then on it all worked really really well. I've rarely had to use any creams (although Lanisoh is fab), only when he has long sessions. I have to agree with the other posts on this thread: if you can do it, it is a fantastic experience, but babies are all different.

Babybonny was breast fed but while in Jessops he cried constantly at night so the nurses gave him 'top-up' formula milk. I was (or I thought I was) feeding him every two hours round the clock and you can imagine after a few days was totally shattered.

I didn't know that it takes a few days for the milk to come through and when i'd been feeding him, I checked his mouth and panicked when I saw it was dry - I thought i'd been starving him!

After that was sorted out, I carried on breast feeding for a few months, but I didn't find it particularly good all of the time - especially when i'd just finished feeding him and when he cried OH told me he was hungry and to feed him again! I felt a bit like a milk machine - and used to say "just call me Daisy"! LOL

But overall I enjoyed breast feeding and would have loved to carry on a lot longer but I needed some medication and so he went on to formula.

my attitude was "I'm breastfeeding this baby unless my nipples fall off". Fortunately, it didn't come to that! Be confident in your ability to do it and know where to get help if you're struggling.

I was similar in attitude. My LO would not latch on and I had to express and feed him with a syringe for the first 36 hours. Then someone suggested nipple shields and hey presto he latched on. We persevered and at 5 weeks ditched the shields. One benefit of using the shields is he's happy to take a bottle and I found expressing for his last feed at 11pm great when he was very little as hubby did it while I went to bed. I was also lucky in that I find expressing fairly easy and have not had any supply issues.

But I can't say it's all been roses. I found it painful for the first 3 months usually when he first latched on. I had latch checked etc. I then suffered pain after I had finished feeding. Finally I had a breast abscess which was agony while feeding.

But as I was so determined to breastfeed we continued and still are at 9 months. Now I just have to keep an eye on him because he has teeth!

Obviously this is an unknown experience for me and I was just wondering (for May) what it is like?

Is it difficult?

What problems can you have?

How do you know if baby has had enough?

How do you know how much baby has had?


First of all it is best to know that all babies are different. While some will instantly latch on other babies will have to learn how to do it. There are all sorts of problems and most of them are better after the first couple of weeks. The most commen problem i have come across is the baby not having the full nipple and surrounding area in its mouth (all the dark bit). This causes sore nipples and not as much milk will come out. In the first couple of days it also causes the stomach to cramp in some women. Although painful this is actually a good sign that the uterus is going back. It is just the breastfeeding helps it to go back quicker.

When it comes to knowing if your baby has had enough they will let you know. Let the baby feed till they have finished and feed on demand. They usually settle themselves into a pattern. You will also find times when they want to feed almost continuasly. I have found this is usually when they are having a growth spurt or are teething so want the comfort.

A few problems women have had is sometimes ill informed midwives have told mothers they are not producing enough milk. Infact if a baby is latching on it is extremely rare for a woman not to produce enough milk. The more your baby feeds the more milk you produce. This is also why it is best to leave the baby to feed on demand as the first bit of milk that comes through is more like a drink and thirstquenching for them, then the milk gets thicker. Also not known by many women is that the growths charts used are meant for bottle fed babies which are generally heavier babies. There are specific charts for breastfed babies so make sure your midwife has the correct one. It is also commen for babies to lose a percentage of their body weight after they are born then start to put it back on again. wether breast fed or bottle fed.

Some midwifes in the hospital like the grab your jugs and pop them in the babies mouth routine. Extremly off putting and im sure has put some women off breastfeeding completly.

Some midwifes off course on the other hand will be brilliant and give invaluable advice and support.


I would reccomend that you get comfy before you start with your back supported and baby supported with a pillow. Have a drink near by. THis is where daddies can also be involved. You get really thirsty when breastfeeding. So daddy can make mummy a drink to help. Get comfy and you bring the baby to the breast supporting his head not breast to the baby if that makes sense. Just spend the time slowly trying in a calm environment. See how you get on but dont get upset if it dosent happen straight away. If you are still struggling ask for a midwife to help or a peer supporter.

thanks for everyones responses, due anytime and really want to breastfeed but was worried over not being able to, will take each day as it comes and hope for best

I've just spotted this thread (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showpost.php?p=3127479&postcount=35) in the property area that might be of interest. It says there is a Breast Feeding Group in Hillsborough. HTH

I breastfed both my boys for the first 6 weeks, my flow stopped after that. Speak with your midwife about it, or ask to speak to the hospital breastfeeding counsellor, they come to see you after the birth anyway so I don't see why they wouldn't see you before

there has been alot of good points made so far so i'll try not to go over them again.

for some women it can be agony, it was for me, i had a blister on the end of one nipple and a massive crack all way down the other one. i used to sit with a muslin square in my mouth crying in agony. it did get better! the eventually brought me a nipple shield which allowed me to carry on feeding her, she is now 15 weeks and still going strong. it is right when people tell you to feed on demand, but i didnt understand what that really meant till now. my baby also liked to comfort suck which was agonising in the begining so she has a dummy as well. they say you shouldn't use bottles, nipple shields or dummies in breast fed babies as it can lead to nipple confusion but over the past 15 weeks she has had the lot (had to have bottle when i was on medication, just when my nipples had got used to feeding, i managed to re-establish breastfeeding after medication i had to go through the pain and back to 'bob' my nipple shield. it helped to give it a random name so when i asked oh to pass me bob it didnt sound so bad!)

babies like to cluster feed, especially in the evening. they can have lots of feeds in a short space of time. it doesnt mean that they aren't getting enough milk, it just means thats how they want to feed. after a couple of weeks you will notice that your boobs dont feel as full, this too is normal and its just your body settling down, it doesnt mean you have stopped producing. so long as baby is producing lots of wee and poo and gaining weight, all is well!

it really is so rewarding, especially not having to wait for a kettle to boil at 2am. there is help out there if your struggling ask for it!
its also really tiring too, so forewarn other half not to expect tea on the table and also its great for getting you back in shape too.

I love breastfeeding and am still feeding my 14month old, however shes my third child and I've had my fair share of problems with it!
Its the best thing I've ever done, I love feeling like I'm doing something for my baby that no one else can, and I also admit to doing it for laziness, I cant stand faffing around with formula milk lol!
The hardest thing is the pain at first, I'm not sure if its something everyone goes through but with each of mine after about the first week there was incredible pain when they were latching on, I kept thinking it was positioning ect and trying to change it, with my first baby it really put me off feeding her, but by my second I was determined to master it and have sat there gritting my teeth lol. However the pain disappears completely (for me) after a couple of weeks and from then on its been straightforward. I agree with other posts about nipple shields, you arent supposed to use them at first but they are a godsend when nipples are cracked, as is the nipple cream you get (I actually kept a tube in the fridge cos the relief was amazing lol)
It does seem for the first few days that feeding is constant and that there doesnt seem to be any milk, thats normal and fine and it will sort itself out.
When your milk does come in your boobs will feel very hard, full and sore. I found it helped to express this gently by hand and freeze it in ice cube trays, when you are desperate for sleep your OH can use this to feed baby and give you a rest!
Dont be afraid to ask for help but most MW and HV simply dont have the time and can seem very unhelpful, use the breastfeeding counsellors instead as its what they are there for.
Good luck!

It takes a little time to get used to but its the best thing i could have done its free theres no sterlizing to be done you can feed any where when you become comfortable doing so. i would recommend it and if you have any problems keep trying there are support groups for breast feeding mums who can offer lots of help and advice give it a go i am shore you will enjoy it, it helps you feel closer to your baby.

I havn't read everything on here, but, Charlie just wouldn't latch on. He'd pull away after a matter of seconds. He'd scream and pull away and just wouldn't take it, after 2 days like so.. constant crying (as he wasn't getting anything from breast), I was totally shattered so he had 'top-up' fomula which made him sleep for hours (About 4, then he had another top-up and slept for another 3) it made me think; Suffer from a crying baby, be constantly tierd and have an upset baby? OR get 'some' sleep, have a happy baby and feel that bit better? I think you know which I went for! He's on formula now and has been from 3days old! :)

Just a little thing though; not everyone can do it. I got told this more than once and I had my heart set on breastfeeding on demand. And it didn't work like that! You'll know how to do it hunni!! :)

I agree with RozeePozee. Having done the 2hr NCT breastfeeding course, it all came naturally, although others in our group found it harder.

One thing that really worked was 'self-latching'. For a long time I had wondered how us humans sorted this out, seeing as other animals seem to know how to latch. Anyway, at the course they showed us self-latching. It basically works on the principal that the baby knows what to do and will find it's way to the boob if placed on the belly. We watched a video on it and it was incredible. So, the day Adam was born I lay in bed (magical, in the middle of the night just the two of us!) and popped him on my naked tummy to see what he would do. 15 minutes later he'd commando crawled to my breast and from then on it all worked really really well. I've rarely had to use any creams (although Lanisoh is fab), only when he has long sessions. I have to agree with the other posts on this thread: if you can do it, it is a fantastic experience, but babies are all different.

It might have been this video http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=zrwfIcPB1u4

does anyone have any tips for feeding a new born??

or anything you should avoid while pregnant??

:)

do u have a book from the midwife she usually tells u what not to eat when u go see her

It would all depend on a million and one things. If you are of the mind that your child might have allergies you aresupposed to avoid peanuts and things in pregnancy but then most people I know didn't avoid them and their pregnancies were fine and the babies too.
Anything unpastueriesed, such as cheese, milk and honey are meant to be avoided but frankly since woman have had babies previous to pastuerisation I'd guess that's a load of rubbish too.
Feeding tip all depend on if you plan to breastfeed or bottle feed. Any thoughts?
Tell us a bit about your situation and I'm sure lots of people will have tips for you :)

Hi,

My little boy is nearly 4 weeks old and I'm breastfeeding him, it's going pretty well and he's certainly piling on the weight.

For my sanity I'm thinking of starting to express and giving him some bottle feeds in the next couple of weeks, which might mean I can actually have a bath without having to listen to him holler (how does he know I'm just about to indulge in 10 minutes of 'me time'??!!).

Anyway, I'm looking at the millions of different teats and bottles on the market, lots of which claim to mimic breastfeeding - but I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations of ones which worked well for them when combining breast and bottle? How on earth do I choose which one?

I would not worry to much about this. If a baby will tolerate a bottle then I think they are all pretty much the same. On the other hand if you have a very strong minded angel like mine you will try every bottle on the market and they will not entertain any!

I spent a fortune on trying them all out. Even the ones that replicate the feel and action of a breast (rubbish!). These were £7!!!!!
Anyway I suggest you buy a cheap bottle and try that and ask your friends to borrow a bottle of each kind to see if she likes it.

In the end I resigned myself to the fact my baby really liked to breastfeed..... she has never taken a bottle and I fed her till she was 20 months.
All the best.
Lynn

LOL red head I got one of those - she had a few bottles when she was younger but refuses to entertain one now so just has me at 15m old!
to the OP, with my son he was quite fussy in regards to teats, and I found that the ones he preffered were cheap asda ones (yay!) they came on the wide bottles although you can buy them seperate, they also had the little bumps on them. I think the bottles were about 97p each.
I also had one of those breast shaped bottles (look on ebay) which was expensive but got him started at first so I could go back to college!

We use the 'Tommie Tippee - closer to nature' bottles, they are very good, easy to clean and are really nice to hold in the hand. Also the teats are silicon so there is no chance of coming across an unexpected latex allergy!

hi,
we used the NUK first choice ones which are silicon and are ment to reduce colic, my little one really liked them and had no problems at all feeding from breast or bottle. we started of with the tommie tippee closer to nature though and they didnt work for him at all as they are really soft and he seemed to suck the teat in somehow.
all the best x

Thanks all, we'll try a couple and see how we get on. Fingers crossed he'll take a bottle, I think he will because he's a hungry little fella.

I'm a bit sad, i've had to stop feeding my 7 month old i'm going back to work soon i had thought i might even be able to give him the odd feed but i've been a bit poorly and had to get a cocktail of meds so not really in his best interest to keep feeding him.
My OH is (rather gleefully) giving him a bottle right now he secretly likes having me back and being more involved but i feel terrible miss the cuddles, he will probably be my last baby, boo hoo.

You might be able to take comfort in this:
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19125634.400-breast-is-best-but-watch-out-for-the-allergies.html

Congrats on doing 7 months !!!!

I am jealous as breast feeding and I had to part company at 26 days ( see 3 yrs later and it is still imprinted on my brain!). I know it is heartbreaking but I agree with Cosywolf. I found a super hot curry, new gorgeous bras, wine and letting my OH do all the late night feeds made me feel a little brighter x

Does anyone have any sucessful stories or advice on mixing breast feeding with formula feeding?

Mine had the odd bottle of formula when my mum looked after them. They didnt seem to mind and breast fed till they were both one. I think providing they will take too a bottle and breastfeeding is established it should be fine. Oh and more breast then bottle so your supply dosent reduce.

Why do you want to formula feed? If it's for when you're away, can you not express and freeze breast milk? At one point my freezer had more milk than food in it!

my little boy wont take expressed milk from a bottle but he will have formula. i would like to carry on bf but have been giving a bottle of formula at night to see if can get more sleep..........

hi,
I dont think its bad, i bottle fed logan till he was 4 days old then decided to try breast feeding, (dont ask) and he went straight onto breast so i cant honestly see that it makes breast feeding harder to be honest, if it works for you then gr8|!

I mix-fed without any problems. I couldn't keep up with demand, despite expressing. I also suffered PND and just needed to have that fall-back, psychologically...depression can do odd things to you.

My dos and don'ts are:
If you can make it work for you, DO shut your ears to all the people who tell you it isn't right - it wasn't for them, but you are a different person.
DO express. You do need to make an extra effort to keep your milk flow up, but it's easy enough and no biggie - I used to do it in front of the tv or with a good book propped up on the kitchen counter
You can mix your breastmilk in with the formula to give it that extra goodness
DO as waxonwaxoff said breastfeed more than formula feed to keep your milk up
And contentious, but I felt it was because my child was exposed to both breast and bottle within the first few days that he accepted both. It seems counter-intuitive to me to keep a teat away from them for 6 weeks or however long it is in case they 'get confused', and won't have any such worries with my second. However, I am sure plenty of people would disagree with me.
DO label breast and formula you're keeping in the fridge with what kind it is, and date it was made, and be aware they keep differently.

Many people can do it, and if it works for you, and it helps take some of whatever strain you may be feeling (or may not) off you as a new parent, listen to your instincts and do what works for you.

THANKS for the reply cosywolf, did you give formula at night or during the day? when did your little one star t sleeping through the night?

I breast fed exclusively but many of my friends mix fed very successfully. Cosywolf gives some great advice in her post. Formula feeding can often reduce breast milk supply if you don't make sure you pump to keep it up (and then it's a vicious circle with dwindling supply meaning you need to give more formula...). The standard advice is don't introduce a teat too early as baby can get confused but as CW points out, not all babies come in the standard variety! I was hopeless at expressing but on the rare occasions I did manage to express more than an ounce, my son aged about 3 months accepted a teat without a problem. Like so many other things, it depends on the child.

I do both and breastfed my daughter til 22 months.
I started one bottle per day at about 4 weeks ish - with my son, it was firstly at 7ish as he wanted to cluster feed straight after my daughter's bedtime which is when we needed to cook and eat, now it is at bedtime - not only in the hope he would sleep through but also to enable us to leave him with a babyitter from time to time and lastly, although I love breastfeeding I was concerned that if I solely breastfed and anything happened to me - what would happen to my babes then?
For a lot of people a bit of both works brilliantly - I only expressed in the early days as have always been rubbish at it although seem to remember doing better second time around and would leave expressed milk as well as formula when he was tiny if I was leaving him so he only ever had one formula feed - come to think of it, bet there's still some in freezer somewhere!!
ps - rereading this, it sounds like we go out and leave kids with babysitter all the time - we don't, honestly!!!!

i did both, i breast fed solely for 4 weeks then got mastisis in my right breast it was so bad at 1 point the milk was pink but i did not want to give up i tried all sorts of creams etc before i knew it was mastisis. Then when my partner finnaly put his foot down and said stop as it got to the point i was screaming as she latched on i decided to try bottle aswell it suited her fine. I would breast feed from my good boob whenever i could but as it was 1 breast it ran empty quickly so id top her up with sma. It used to take nearly 2 hours to feed her sometimes but i was determined to keep her on breast till i could no more.

It is so hard deciding what is right but at the end of the day if you are struggling or are not happy with 1 choice do whatever is best for you don't let others judgements decide for you there are millions of mums who bottle feed and there children are fine i think mixing it is fine it's better than non at all i suppose and not saying that is bad either! Do whats best for you being a mum is hard enough!

Women would get the legal right to breastfeed in public, under a new law being proposed by the government.
this would mean a woman with a kiddie could come and sit next to you whip out a breast to feed a kid
http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_6740000/newsid_6743400/6743441.stm?bw=nb&mp=wm

Women would get the legal right to breastfeed in public, under a new law being proposed by the government.
this would mean a woman with a kiddie could come and sit next to you whip out a tit to feed a kid
http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_6740000/newsid_6743400/6743441.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&news=1&nol_storyid=6743441&bbcws=1#

Gosh, would it?

So nice to see a perceptive analysis of propsed legislation on the Forum :rolleyes:

I had no idea you weren't allowed to breastfeed in public to start with. Who on earth could possibly find it objectionable?

wots the problem with women being allowed to breast feed their kids in public

Why not?
I've always prefered draught to bottled! :P

Anyone else got the image of the scene with Jim Carey in Me, Myself and Irene?

...I had no idea you weren't allowed to breastfeed in public to start with. Who on earth could possibly find it objectionable?

Yes, I was unaware of its illegality too. Not seen anyone arrested for doing it.

It is about time as well, after all it is the most natural thing in the world. I have fed all my children and am still feeding my youngest(now 20 months) I will feed anywhere but I am discreet and I may have been lucky but only once has any one remarked negatively about it, surprisingly it was an elderly lady who said it was about time my son was weaned of course he is but I still feed him too she was very lucky it was my mum who heard her and not me.

'Whip out a breast' ! I would suggest that discretion is the main worry of most breastfeeding mothers! Believe me, we don't want all and sundry getting an eyeful either.

exactly, I can't think of many breastfeeding mummies who want all and sundry having a peek at their pair! Why wouldn't it be ok to breastfeed? Surely more places should encourage it?

I can see how some people might feel uncomfortable about women breastfeeding in public. But women don't just whip them out. I personally felt very uncomfortable breastfeeding in public and I used to go out inbetween feeding times when my baby was first born. I fed him until 8 months and the more I did it the more comfortable I got with feeding in public, although I would still opt for a quiet corner.

The thing is though the reason I felt uncomfortable was because of what I perceived other people to be thinking. I know some people can be very disapproving. Breastfeeding is best for babies and discouraging people to feed in public and making them feel uncomfortable will put some people off breastfeeding which is a real shame. I think before people look disapprovingly or pass comment, they should think about whether they want to be a contributary factor in a woman's decision to stop breastfeeding their baby.

its not illegal to breastfeed in public, just that if the owner of a restaurant asked a bfing mother to stop they must stop or leave. ridiculous if you ask me!

what annoys me is this legislation only cover children up to the age of 6months. so if you have a child older than 6months you're not protected by this legislation. yet the world health organisation recommends bfing up till the age of 2.

i've just (2 days ago infact) stopped bfing my son. he turns one this week and he just didn;t show any interest in bfing anymore so we've stopped and he's quite happy drinking water etc from his beaker.
i'll definitely be bfing number 2 when they're born in december, and this time i'll feel much more confident to give it a go in public!

What annoys me so much is that breastfeeding can be frowned upon yet I dont know any man who complains about page 3 in the papers.

Women would get the legal right to breastfeed in public, under a new law being proposed by the government.
this would mean a woman with a kiddie could come and sit next to you whip out a breast to feed a kid
http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_6740000/newsid_6743400/6743441.stm?bw=nb&mp=wm

I'd put any money you like on the fact that you've already been in the company of a woman feeding her baby and you didn't even know about it!

Women don't want to flash other people- they want to feed their baby lovingly, carefully, discreetly and effectively.

The next time you see a woman sitting calmly near a pram with no baby in sight but with a drapey top on- guess what she's doing.

Breast feeding should be encouraged as it has a huge amount of benefits for mum and baby! I agree with Medusa, Mum's are savvy enough to be discret if they need to. It's great to be able to feed in an environment where breastfeeding is accepted as the norm and mum/baby feel totally at ease and comfortable.

My concern is that if a law comes in mum's may be assigned designated places that may end up being like 'smokers corners' used to be - sealed off unattractive spaces that would normally be used for storage.

LL

No I haven't popped :hihi:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1026604/Mothers-win-right-breastfeed-public-places.html

Its about time! :clap:

why is it just up to 6 months though? Is it illegal to feed a child older than that?

Pass, its a step in the right direction though

AFAIK the law currently can lean toward public indecency only. Not that it is illegal to breastfeed in public but that there are issues relating to exposure. The changes to be made will refer more to making it impossible for someone to claim public indecency for a woman to feed her child in public, assuming normal discretion is used.
So, all the snotty restaurants will not be able to complain and neither will the mother be expected to use any other room.
Not based in fact but it's what I can currently gather.
So, good news :)

My concern is that if a law comes in mum's may be assigned designated places that may end up being like 'smokers corners' used to be - sealed off unattractive spaces that would normally be used for storage.

LL

Have you been to the feeding room in the Town Hall? Clearly an old toilet, with a charming overflowing nappy bin. YUK - but I was glad of somewhere to feed my baby. I'm not confident about breastfeeding in public, so was grateful of the space but with a tiny bit of effort it could have been much much nicer.

Sorry but I refuse to feed Littleboo somewhere like that, would they like to eat their dinner with an overflowing nappy bin next to the table.

Oh don't worry, I got them to remove it first.

Well done you, they need to realise these things and sort them out,hopefully as you continue to feed you may grow more confident ( she is so sweet by the way).

Well done you, they need to realise these things and sort them out,hopefully as you continue to feed you may grow more confident ( she is so sweet by the way).

Thank you, I hope I do gain confidence but its not a huge problem; at the moment if I'm going out I express and then bottle feed.

I could feed a nursery full of babes but I cannot express at all, I have tried to with all 5 but to no avail, it wouldnt have worked with Littleboo anyway as he will not entertain a bottle at all must be nice to have the option sometimes though, especially in the early days he just knew when I planned to have a bath.

hi guys, i breastfeed baby dray and if i do so in public get very disgusted looks so i think this is great that it will be publically allowed, although i wasnt aware that it was illegal, i have been in some of the breast feeding rooms and i have to say they arent very clean and they smell i wouldnt eat my dinner in there so why should my baby?
i find it quite disgusting that something so natural can repulse some people.
i think it does have a lot to do with parents that have not breastfed and done so and failed telling there children it hurts or its weird, i met a young girl who has just found out shes pregnant the other day and she asked how i fed baby dray and i said i breast fed, her reaction was 'omg dunt that hurt?'
my MIL hates me doing it in front of her as does most of my hubbys family none of them did and are very repulsed by me doing so.
even to the extent where i was told it was disgusting that i was using something that was OBVIOUSLY there for sexual purposes to feed my baby. shows how much they know!
overall what im trying to say is that it needs to be more widely accepted and people if they were unable to breast feed not to put others off

That's awful part of your own family being repulsed. Well done for carrying on. I was the other way round, my mother in law thinks BF is lovley and would be there hovering over me watching!

It sounds to me as if you have had a very difficult and unrepresentative time breastfeeding, haylic, the worst I've ever heard of. I wonder if your family's bizarre and unpleasant response has made you feel more sensitive when out and about? I never once felt that anyone even looked twice when I bf cosycub, wherever i fed him.

Surely it isn't illegal to breastfeed in public, as such, just not legal - there's a big difference if you catch my drift...you can't be done for breastfeeding and are highly unlikely to be done for exposure, but neither have you had the right to do it.
This legislation would give you the right, and you couldn't be asked to cover up and/or leave.

There are women who do whip out a breast and breastfeed regardless. I've breast fed all my children but I was always discreet. I once was sitting in a car with the baby at my breast but not visibly so and still got glared at by a passerby. My first child wouldn't feed in public in any case no matter how hungry she was. It had to be somewhere quiet. The second one was so hungry it was hard to get out. Also the second and third didn't latch on very well so it was hard to be discreet in public as I was constantly having to re-attach them otherwise they got collic or I got mastitis. The idea of an earth mother with serene baby latched on while you got on with what you are doing is something that escaped me. I want somewhere to quietly breastfeed and not a smelly toilet. And as I'm disabled somewhere my husband can come if I need help. Anyway if you are showing a lot of breast while feeding your baby I think someone would be in their rights to ask you to cover up and not be so obvious. We are not in a culture where bare breasts are common place and not seen as sexual.

Hi all,
I have been breast feeding my son now for 14 weeks and all has been o.k (unlike with my first child who i just couldnt get it to work). He has been putting on weight slowly and the health visitors are not concerned. However he has for the past couple of weeks been so hungrey and gets really frustrated when the breast has been drained, he wakes at least2 times a night and feeds almost all day, i also have a toddler to look after and she gets really fed up. It has now got to the point where i have given him the occasional bottle of formula and he gulps it down and seems so much happier afterwards. I dont want to give up breast feeding but he does seem happier with a bottle. What would you do? Also is it possible that when i am ill (just had a bad cold) that it effects the quantity/quality of milk.
thanks

I cannot claim that b/f was a huge event in our house but I beleive:
A: your production will increase to satisfy him over time
B: if you are ill it affects everything
C: If you decide to keep b/f there is no reason not to give him formula as well if it seems to satisfy him
D: He might be having a growth spurt and may relax a little again soon

Whatever happens, I hope it works out to your satisfaction

I agree with Zebra and I have breastfed my 5 children and am still feeding Littleboo, growth spurts do mean he will feed more but you will also produce more milk to compensate,he should settle down soon, also feeling ill will mean everything seems worse and harder to cope with.Giving an odd bottle of formula isnt a problem, could you incorporate this so Dad could give this to give you a break to relax and spend some time just with your daughter, this might help her also.Littleboo still wakes 2-3 times a night and he is 20 months now,hope something here helps, let us know how you get on.

Not much else I can add except it's not uncommon to feed with both formula and breast and this works well for a lot of mummies.

As Boosmum and Zebra have said, being ill does make everything harder and your likely to not be as quick do renew your supply.

If you do choose to persevere then I'm sure this hard time will pass, however if you choose to completely bottle feed then thats ok too!

Hi all,
I have been breast feeding my son now for 14 weeks and all has been o.k (unlike with my first child who i just couldnt get it to work). He has been putting on weight slowly and the health visitors are not concerned. However he has for the past couple of weeks been so hungrey and gets really frustrated when the breast has been drained, he wakes at least2 times a night and feeds almost all day, i also have a toddler to look after and she gets really fed up. It has now got to the point where i have given him the occasional bottle of formula and he gulps it down and seems so much happier afterwards. I dont want to give up breast feeding but he does seem happier with a bottle. What would you do? Also is it possible that when i am ill (just had a bad cold) that it effects the quantity/quality of milk.
thanks

The best thing to do is try not to get stressed (i know easier said then done). The chances of you not producing enough milk is very slim indeed. You would also notice straight away if he wasnt getting what he needed. There would be a very distressed baby not producing many wet or pooey nappys and not much weight gain. It is much more likely like others have said that this is a growth spurt. Dont feel bad about the occasional bottle either. It is better to have a calm less panicky mummy who has had a rest. Just make sure you give more breast then bottles to keep up your supply. The more he feeds the more there is. As for how to deal with a toddler that needs you on days like this is just be prepared for a duvet day with her. Make a picnic or grab a load of snacks and drinks (drinking plenty is especially important when breastfeeding) and all snuggle up with a story or a film. If your going to be sat there feeding for the day you may aswell just relax and enjoy it.

Oh and always sleep or have a cuddle on the sofa with your toddler when the baby is asleep if possible.

unfortunatly my toddler is not yet 2 and sitting down for more than 2 mins is not possible. Baby has woken with stinking cold this morning so that could be why he has been so unsettled and wanting to feed. i am going to persevere with bf but if he needs it i am going to top him up with a bottle. hopefully i can get the balance right.

I mix-fed sucessfully, and I found that expressing was the key to making it work for me, as it is important to get the balance right,as you say. Expressing helped keep my milk levels high, and it's beneficial to mix it with formula...gives the formula that extra goodness, lol.
You can freeze expressed milk, and when you wean them, mix it with the purees you give them so there's a familiar flavour there.

I do hope you find what is right for you. You may find chatting to a b/feeding counsellor will help you make the right decision. They are qualified professionals who can support you with the emotional side of b/feeding as well as being able to give you information about breastfeeding which helps to promote it while having the health of your baby the keystone of this information. The national breastfeeding line by the NCT is 0870 444 8708, and get the local counsellors numbers if you PM me. :)

I've been part of this parenting group for a while and there has never been much chat about breastfeeding.

So I wanted to break this and ask what your breastfeeding experiences have been?

For me its probably been one of the worst and best things about my first weeks as a Mommy. I thought I hated it but then when a health situation arose that meant I may have to stop I realised just how important it was to me.

The bug is now 11 and a half weeks and still breastfed and we are doing great.

Please share your experiences both positive and negative and maybe we can help each other work through any problems and share the joys.

I really wanted to feed my daughter and had fully intended on doing so, she seemed to latch on after the birth with no problems but as soon as we were on the ward she wouldnt latch on and would scream, I asked the midwives for help to be told I was holding her wrong so I tried holding her how they said to but she still wouldnt stay on and would scream. I think after me buzing a couple of times for help they got fed up cos when they came round they told me that they would come back after their rounds which they didnt, leaving me with a screaming baby and I just didnt know what to do. I tried all night but she would come off after a couple of seconds and scream again. One of the midwifes came round the next morning so I asked for help again, after trying all night I was sore and bleeding but I was told again that they couldnt see me till they had finished their rounds, I kept on trying till around tea time and admited defeate and asked for a bottle to stop her screaming, everyone else's baby on the ward were so quiet and the mums were able to sleep but I hadnt been able to sleep at all since the birth, I just felt so helpless and broke down when they told me I had to stay in another night as the baby wasnt feeding well enough for us to go home. We were allowed home tea time the next day and I just had no confidence left to try again which really got me down for months afterwards. I think if I had gotten the support in the first place we could have gotten on better with it!

Im due to give birth in 4 weeks and im planning on trying again with it but im dreading having to stay in hospital! I have a friend who's still feeding her 4 month old so I have asked her for advice and she's going to come and help me and hopefully I can have a better experience with it this time

Sorry this is so long, bit of a sore spot with me

Thats terrible, you poor love. I know what you mean though as I felt like I was being a real pain when I kept asking for help and no-one ever really talked me through it. I really hope you have a better time with your next baby, congratulations by the way. I think if I was in your position I would call a breastfeeding counsellor before you have your baby so you are full up with advice and knowledge. I'm no expert but if you want to chat pm me. Best of luck and demand help when you get to the hospital, explain what happened last time and how terrible it made you feel x x x x

thankyou, thats so lovely of you xx

How would I contact a breastfeeding counsellor? I havent heard of them before. I have had lots of good advice from my friend and have had a chat with my midwife about it but she just advised me to ask them for help which I will as my daughter is now 2 so hopefully they will have changed things now and be more supportive but im not holding my breath lol

Breastfeeding Line - 0870 444 8708

xxxxxxx

thats excellent! thankyou :D

Im due to give birth in 4 weeks and im planning on trying again with it but im dreading having to stay in hospital!

Have you considered having you baby at home? Not only could you have a safer and more comfortable birth with guarenteed one to one care from a midwife, with 2:1 during second stage, but you post natal care is all at home too, so you definately wouldn't get anyone making you feel uncomfortable asking for help. If you would like more info or a chance to talk about homebirths you can come to a homebirth group meeting, contact me or check out www.sheffieldhomebirth.org.uk

I would also reitterate olliekittens advice to speak to a breastfeeding counsellor. They are highly trained individuals who actually train midwives in B/F. It is free to call them, they also attend drop in BF clinics at the hospital. In addition there are some wonderful volunteers who are trained as BF peer support. They offer support in a variety of places, including at the hospital. Your midwife should be able to point you in the direction of one. I know a number of peer supporters, and they are great. They are simply mums who have succeeded with BF and are trianed to offer support to mums with BF issues.

I have called the BF line a number of times over different issues, including when "the milk comes in" which was a bit scary. They were really helpful and got me back on track. There is no substitute,however to seeing one in the flesh, and having them help you with positioning and latching on etc.

There is also a fantastic DVD available, though expensive, called Breastfeeding basics. http://www.breastfeeding.com/helpme/breastfeeding_comprehensive.html?
As part of my HypnoBirthing course I am now offering a free breastfeeding session which includes showing this wonderfuland very comprehensive DVD. PM me for details.

Thought I'd reply separately about my BF experiences. I have a 16 month old who is still, what I would call, "very" breastfed. He loves it, and always has. I fed him within seconds after he was born, this helped me to have a natural 3rd stage as it helps your uterus to contract (BTW that is why nipple stimulation gets things going during labour too!:hihi:)

My DH has been extremely supportive of me BFing, and this support has got me through some really tough times. There is so much misinformation out there, including some from medical professionals. Some are great, and are highly committed to keeping up to date with current evidence, but some unfortately still pedal old wives tales which is not helpful to those new to motherhood and trying to glean the right advice from the myriad of things they are being told. I found it difficult to continue BFing when my peers were busy bottle feeding and talking about number of ounces. I felt fairly alienated in these situations, so I looked for other people to talk to, and about other things. Fortunately, I had a number of friends who were BFing their little ones, and this friendship helped me to feel comfortable doing it, and realised that I was doing what was right for both me and my baby.

One of the key challenges I had was 5 days after he was born and the milk came in. My boobs befcame rock solid and consequently lo struggled to latch. I read through all the stuff I had from NCT on BFing (if anybody wants any leaflets on BFing, including returning to work / first few days / continuing etc. Please PM me as I have access to loads of these and can post them out to you) I tried all sorts of things, including have a warm bath and following some of the milk ducts to take out a small bit of milk (not fully expressing, as this only increases supply) I found this experience really scary and felt very emotional about it. It was also SUPER weird touching my breasts in the way that I needed to to manipulate them. I soon got used to that side of things though....

I could go on and on, there are so many experiences in the last 16 months, I'll probably return to this thread again with more stuff.:D I'm happy to chat about experiences with others, pm me if you'd like to.

I was lucky enough to be able to breast feed both my children and i enjoyed the experience with both of them more than words can say, however i do feel like new mothers are just about blackmailed into breast feeding these days .......... and some women (for various reasons) just simply can not, and then are left feeling like failiures. It really is a personal choice ..... and the powdered baby milks that are now on the market really are fabulous alternatives (I know breast is best, but SMA is hardly arsnic)

It also fed both my girls myself until the were both turned 1. I enjoyed the experiance but like pinklady says, there is alot of pressure on Mums to exlusivley breastfeed now. My Moto is that breast is only best for baby if its best for Mum.

This website has lots of really helpfull info

http://www.kellymom.com/ppd/ppd-resourceguide.html

I really wanted to feed my daughter and had fully intended on doing so, she seemed to latch on after the birth with no problems but as soon as we were on the ward she wouldnt latch on and would scream, I asked the midwives for help to be told I was holding her wrong so I tried holding her how they said to but she still wouldnt stay on and would scream. I think after me buzing a couple of times for help they got fed up cos when they came round they told me that they would come back after their rounds which they didnt, leaving me with a screaming baby and I just didnt know what to do. I tried all night but she would come off after a couple of seconds and scream again. One of the midwifes came round the next morning so I asked for help again, after trying all night I was sore and bleeding but I was told again that they couldnt see me till they had finished their rounds, I kept on trying till around tea time and admited defeate and asked for a bottle to stop her screaming, everyone else's baby on the ward were so quiet and the mums were able to sleep but I hadnt been able to sleep at all since the birth, I just felt so helpless and broke down when they told me I had to stay in another night as the baby wasnt feeding well enough for us to go home. We were allowed home tea time the next day and I just had no confidence left to try again which really got me down for months afterwards. I think if I had gotten the support in the first place we could have gotten on better with it!

Im due to give birth in 4 weeks and im planning on trying again with it but im dreading having to stay in hospital! I have a friend who's still feeding her 4 month old so I have asked her for advice and she's going to come and help me and hopefully I can have a better experience with it this time

Sorry this is so long, bit of a sore spot with me

I had a similar experience...

and am still beating myself up about it :(

I had a terrible pregnancy, hated every minute of it, I couldn't labour, i couldn't give birth naturally and I couldn't breastfeed...

I know that my little lad is thriving spectacularly on his formula milk, but i'm STILL feeling poo about not being able to feed him myself, its one of the few things I was absolutely determined about. I didn't even buy any bottles before he was born, nor milk, nothing...

:(

SENDING BIG HUGS AND LOVE GINGERKITTY x x x x x x x x x x xx

Your little boy is gorgeous and is very lucky to have such a loving Mummy.

It really does make me realise how very lucky I am :(

Thanks OllieK :)

I do still get insanely jealous when i see other mummies feeding :( it hurts soo much :(

Thanks OllieK :)

I do still get insanely jealous when i see other mummies feeding :( it hurts soo much :(

I bet :(

At the end of the day breastfeeding is just one part of the mammoth job of being a Mummy, and Ed is doing just great on formulae. x

he is :)

and yes, it does make some medication taking a lot easier, i could be back on all my drugs 7 days after he was born, at least that made me more sane :)

I could only breastfeed my oldest (now eighteen) for 2 weeks due to severly cracked and bleeding nipples,it was so bad she was sicking up my blood, I dreaded her needing feeding but yet really wanted to feed her. When I had my second DD (now 15) I wanted to try again but I was so nervous,luckily the nurses were amazing,they latched her on properly and we never looked back I fed her for 22 months. My two sons (now 14 and 12) I fed simultaniously as the oldest one was 3years and 4 months before he stopped.I am now happily feeding my youngest son (22 months) and he is showing no signs of stopping anytime yet
I was really lucky with those nurses as without their help I dont think I would have been able to feed my children as well as I have.
I have to say that although I do agree with breastfeeding, I also understand it isnt for everyone,some babies dont take to it so well,or the mothers may have problems being able to feed as i did with my oldest.
Good luck to anyone going through this is does get easier.

I always wanted to breast feed my daughter but we had problems getting her to latch on, it could be due to the heart murmur that we found out later she has. It didn't help that she was not put to my breast till the morning after her birth (unless I missed it).

I fed her for around 6 weeks then had to go on medication for an infection and stopped feeding her because she was getting an upset tummy from the tablets. She was already on formula feeds as well because one midwife in the hospital killed my confidence to feed her myself. Every time she saw my daughter screaming, even if she had a wet nappy, she would look at me and say, "that baby is hungry and needs feeding !" including when she knew i had just fed her.

I really regret not being able to feed her anymore. I miss it. If I am lucky enough to have another baby I will try to feed them myself again.

When my son was first born I did want to try and give it a go but I was crap at first. I just couldnt get him to latch on properly and felt really pressured by the midvives in hospital especially one who said I couldnt go home until I could do it! (Thankfully my own midwife turned up and told me they couldnt keep me against my will and I got to go)

It took in honesty a good two weeks and a lot of perseverence and sore nipples before we finally got the hang of it. Looking back I could have very easily given up and nearly did loads of times but as soon as we cracked it, it was easy. Fed him for about 5 months in the end and I must say really enjoyed it.

My advice to anyone having trouble doing it is keep going and keep trying, you WILL get the hang of it BUT if you feel as though you're getting depressed because you're getting frustrated then stop. Its not worth you feeling like that and you're choice at the end of the day.

I breast fed all three of my children. My first one in spite of the midwifes. Thankfully I had a friend from National Childbirth Trust who was also a counsellor. I'd advise any one to make contact with a counsellor before the child is born. Firstly I learned that if your baby doesn't feed in the first 24 hours that is not a problem as babies are often tired from the birth. Secondly lettuce leaves or cabbage leaves are great for sore nipples. And a folded pure cotton handkerchief makes a great reusable breast pad which doesn't stick to your breast. My first child latched on like a limpet but was a problem to position. My later children had problems latching on and consequently got colic but it was worth persevering. I have chronic M.E and found it less tiring to breastfeed than to bother about sterilising bottles and mixing feeds. Breastfed babies don't get as bad nappyrash either and no worrying whether they are getting enough to eat. I got mastitis twice but once was after I stopped. Anyone who says brestfeeding is a doddle is either very lucky or lying but it is worth it, even if you only manage one feed.

I tried with Lewis and got really frustrated but I suppose I got myself into a bit of a panic as there seemed to be no milk and he didn't seem to latch on. I don't think it helped him being taken away from me for a whole hour whilst they put a canula in his hand!

I had a long labour and was tired and after lying awake worrying the night after he was born I made the trip down the corridor and asked for some formula.

He is getting on fine with the formula but I intended to feed him myself for at least the first 13 weeks of his life. I did feel awful at first but then I just got on with it.

However, when I have my next child (if I have another) I will give breastfeeding another go and maybe this time it will be more successful as I will not be as panicky about the baby.

I ended up having to stay in Jessops for a couple of days, and so had a couple of different midwives, I'd say the assistants were much more helpful, but I did find them to be a bit forceful at times. The position that worked for us straight away was to simply lie down on my side, with baby laid next to me snuggled in, I was completely relaxed, which he may have picked up on, as well as being all snuggled in. Once he got the hang of latching on well it was only a day before he was feeding in the 'usual' position, of being cradled in my arms sat up. It was the last bit of advice I received but it was the best for me. I would also say that if you do want to try and stick at it, you can feed formula by pippette or cup in order to provide his nourishment while you both practice.
x

I've fed both of mine and think it is wonderful although they have both had some formula too (one bottle per day after about 6 weeks)

I think that the main thing is that it is a skill that both the mother and the baby have to learn - and for this you need advice and information. I found some of the parenting websites invaluable as well as Kellymom and some tho not all of the midwives - for anyone keen but struggling, I can't recommend the drop in at Jessops highly enough, they were fantastic

It is hard work and can sometimes feel like you are permanently attached to the baby in the early days but I also think that is natures way of getting to to sit down and recover from the labour/ birth (shame my 3 yr old didn't see it the same way!!!)

I b fed both mine and had very different experiences. My first, son, was very easy to feed after intial cracked nipples (nothing too bad). He'd have a feed then go to sleep or cheer up, or whatever.I remembering worrying about whether he'd fully emptied one before starting on the other or if I was feeding from the same one too much. One of the best things I was told was just to feed from both sides and not to worry about it. If they fed just from one in one feed it didn't matter either. We took to bottles of expressed milk allowing me to go out with no problems at all, althoug expressing it was boring! I weaned him off at about 14 months as I was pregnant with my second.
Number 2 was very different! She latched on with a vice like grip immediately and basically had to be prised off! From the beginning she has used boob for everything- food, comfort, sleep, toy! I felt like she was never off it. She would cry for it a lot. She downright refused a bottle, screaming, clamping her mouth shut etc. She wouldn't even have solid food really- an odd spoonful here or there til she was about 12 months! I continued reluctantly feeding her on demand (ie very often day and night) but slowly refused one period of feeding at a time- night, then between morning and night feeds, then the night feed- to much crying and protesting. I'd just got sick of getting them out constantly only for her to have a quick sup then bite it or mess about with it or something! She's 2 now and I still feed her first thing in the morning to get a precious 20 minutes or so continued lie down in bed! She'll now accept a bottle of whole milk and eats solids.
I have to admit feeding an older fidgetty demanding and rather rough feeder is not as delightful as feeding a little baby.
I used to feel so lucky to be able to feed my babies myself and stroke their hair and stop them crying so easily.

Baby Alien latched on with no problems as soon as he was born, and I was glad he was interested, as I had been premature and had no interest/sucking reflex and was lactose intolerant, so ended up on WySoy.

However by the second night he was ravenous, and due to the canula they had put in me to give me a blood transfusion I couldn't hold him to latch properly. The night midwife was no help - just shoved his head to my boob and walked away. By 5am my nipples were bleeding, he was screaming and I was in tears. An auxilary took him to the nursery and gave him a bottle. The paediatrician then had the cheek to judge us the next day when we said I couldn't latch him properly and no-one would help me!

When I got home with my Mum's help and some nipple shields I was able to feed him for all but his before bedtime feed (when he wanted more than I could produce, so I'd let him feed until I was empty then he'd get a couple of extra ounces). When the HV came around and I asked for advice, all she did was check my latching technique, which was fine! I didn't have transport to get to the breastfeeding counsellor's clinic and I was too weak from blood loss to use public transport.

I tried everything to keep my supply up but had to finally quit at 14 weeks. I was sad, but also relieved to remove the stress too. He had been being supplemented with hungry baby formula from 8 weeks anyway, and my persistent anaemia meant my supply pretty much dried up without difficulties.

What I have found out that they don't tell you (which makes me cross as I agree with the comments about being 'guilt tripped' into breastfeeding) is that if you have anaemia or a c-section you are very likely to have supply issues - because you don't have enough iron if you're anaemic, and because you don't get the same hormones released during a c-section as you do through natural childbirth. And if you suffer from this then you can get drugs to induce lactation. However, none of this is explicitly explained to you, so I only found out afterwards because I wanted to know the reasons why some women have problems with supply.

If I have another then I hope to be able to do it right - and get all the necessary help to extend things to at least 9 months.

I bottle fed my first baby and breast fed my second baby. I preferred breastfeeding for so many reasons but mainly the convenience of it especially during the night.

Whilst breastfeeding I didn't have to bother with all that faffing around that you do when your bottle feeding i.e. getting up to make bottles, having to listen to baby cry whilst bottle warmed to the correct temperature, having to change baby after or before every feed, winding and settling. He simply woke up every few hours and he was breastfeeding before he had chance to ask for it and then we both just dozed off.

I found it much easier and felt more comfortable co-sleeping whilst I breastfed during the night. If you want further info about co-sleeping just google 'co-sleeping with your baby'.

Just to add to my last post - I had an Independent Midwife with my second baby who visited me for 3 hours, every day, during the first week post-natal. Her support helped me to firmly establish breastfeeding and successfully continue until I returned to work.

BIG breastfeeding fan here :hihi: I fed my first daughter exclusively for about 6 weeks, I found it very hard as I was constantly in pain, leaking everywhere, very embarrassed about it, and then I ended up with a kidney infection where my mum had to look after her so had to give her formula, I think we limped on till 3 months with both breast and formula.
With my son I was determined it was going to be better. I had similar problems with soreness ect. I went back to college when he was 4 weeks old, breastfeeding became my 'link' with him as he was looked after by his dad for a few hours a week. I expressed milk and the days when I was there full time OH would bring him to the college so I could feed him in the car and avoid leaking lol. When he was 6 months old he ended up in hospital unable to feed so I expressed for about a month. My supply dwindled a lot, I remember crying on a night nurse as I couldnt express enough milk to last him through the night so he had to be topped up with formula.
I'm still feeding my 19 month old, although I am actually trying to stop but she won't let me!! I'm getting married in Dec and want her off the breast by then...:rolleyes: she's actually cut herself down to just one feed before bedtime, and one first thing in the morning where she snuggles in bed with me, I like this as its my time exclusively with her, and I'm so proud I've managed to get over a year this time.

Forgot to mention that we both had thrush which we passed back and forth between us for a while because the HV said Jamie's tongue being white was 'normal' and 'just milk'. We eventually got Daktarin and I had to dump my expressed supply (I would express as often as possible, even just an ounce or two, to keep my supply up). :(

I also have ME/CFS duckweed, and also found it a lot easier to just veg out on the sofa breastfeeding for long periods - a good way to get some rest and no washing up! We also co-slept quite often (not exclusively) because of breastfeeding, but also because it was just lovely for the 3 of us. He's only just going into his cot full-time now (13 months). I really enjoyed our lie-ins where he would have a really long feed in the morning. After our troubles bfing at hospital, we very ceremoniously took pictures of him completely zonked out after his first full breastfeed (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alienchick/2459217208/in/set-72157604835958945/) at 4 days old.

not a mum...yet! But would like to think i'd be able to breastfeed when it came to it. It just seems so natural and is better (i think) for baby and it must be a lovely bonding experience for both. Having said that... it must be awful if you want to and can't, i know friends whose bambinos just can't or won't latch on and feed and it's so frustrating and upsetting and the more you get uptight, the more it doesn't seem to work...

Good luck to all the ladies.x.

I found something called mother love - more milk herbal stuff from www.breastfeedingheaven.co.uk

I had a c-section and anemia and loads of other problems, but this really helped to get my supply up, were still going strong at 9 months :D

I breastfed my son and am really glad that I did, it was a great bonding experience and certainly proved a quick fix for those middle of the night feedings. On the downside it was exhausting, when my son was first born I was pretty much feeding him every 2-3 hours, day and night. It was also a complete nightmare whenever he had a cold, as his nose would become blocked and he struggled to feed.

I started introducing a beaker when he was 1 and eventually got him down to using the beaker during the day and only having a breastfeed last thing at night - he's 17 months now and completly weaned off the breast.

A few times when I was breastfeeding I felt like I wasn't producing enough but I rang one of the helplines and was given some great comforting advice from other mums about how to increase supply. Because when I was breastfeeding, I was providing his sole source of nutrition so I did get stressed about making sure he was getting enough.

i breastfed little isabelle for about 3 months and i have to say i was really enjoying it, more than i thought i would to be honest but sadly she got a urine infection at about 2 and a half months so got really tierd and stoppped sucking as much which made my milk supply go down.

she then lost 13% of her birth weight and ended up in the hospital on a antibiotic drip for 5 days i tried in vain to bring my supply back up, i carried on breast feeding her and topping her up with formula which my partner gave her while i used a breast pump to try and stimulate more supply i even used the pump in between feeds but sadly my milk just didnt come back enough.

so we decided to put her fully onto formula and shes come on lovely and gained back all of her weight and is doing great its just a shame breastfeeding didnt work for me but i guess it was just the urine infection tha put a spanner in the works :( oh well but id encourage people to at least try it if they dont like it they can always stop and go onto formula.

and i must also add i think it made the bond between me and my daughter that little bit stronger.

and when my daughter or son has their own children i will encourge and support them in breastfeeding.

My little boy is 7 now, but thought I would share my experience with you. All through my pregancy all I hard was breast is best.... I did give it a go and did want to breastfeed for a while, however it never really worked out, I found it very hard for him to latch on (toe curling) The midwifes in Jessop (the old jessops) were lovely until i reached the ward, not enough staff and not enough time for you at one time the ward helper pulled my boob and pushed it his mouth. When i arrived home i really did try so hard, but dreaded going to bed because i knew i had to wake up every 2hrs.
When i decided to give it up as a lost course, Inever leaked any milk and did not need any pads in my bra.

What seems obvious from all the postings good or bad is the lack of proper support and information when you have a problem. Professionals that don't seem to know the good from the bad such as thrush or how a baby should latch on. My first baby hurt my breast because the nurse insisted on latching her on. I know now I was in the best position and the baby needed better support. I think most problems are with latching on because if the baby isn't latched on properly it causes mastitis, or chronic collic or just the baby can't suck properly and so increase the flow of milk. There should be better training of midwives on this and in the antenatal classes. On the other hand I don't see why mothers who tried and failed should be thought badly of as sometimes due to aenaemia or postnatal depression or poor health it just can't be done. Some people do not make enough milk.

But I still haven't figured out what the nhs is doing, event wise, to make people more aware (nor anyone else in Sheffield for that matter). No one I've spoken to is even aware that it's breast feeding awareness week :huh:

On a brighter note, as a result of my enquiries I am starting training tomorrow to become a breast feeding peer support person :)
Hi Rozee
Did you pusue this?

finally found time to post on this :D

I have breastfed the 2 of mine.

The first was taken away straight after birth to SCBU where they fed her through a tube so i could still breastfeed once she was well enough. First couple of attempts she was trying to latch on but was just too done in to manage but the midwife was great and full of praise for both of us and told me not to let i get me down, they gave me some tubs to express in and fed her my milk through the feeding tube. After another couple of attempts she latched on no problems and fed happily. I never had any problems feeding until she was 3 months and i just couldnt fill her so she went onto half breast half formula then exclusivley on formula from 4 months.
I think if that midwife in the first couple of attempts had not been as encouraging and friendly i would have given up!

With the 2nd i had skin to skin contact with him straight away and once everyone(family) had left the labour suite and i had my bath i had him latched on. The midwife had left me and my partner alone while i had my bath and she was really suprised when she walked in and as she said "have you got him on the boob"!! :hihi:she came and had a check to make sure he was on right and gave me a big pat on back.

I did notice 2nd time round that after pains were so much worse when i was feeding him and it felt like i was in labour again at times!
Nathan is 4 weeks now and he is still going strong, he now takes a bottle of expressed as well as me feeding him which is great as means i can get a break.

hi,
im bit of a weird one i wasnt originally going to breast feed, logan was born and he had a bottle, but for the fist four days of his life he was really sick so on the friday night afterhe was born on the monday my milk came in and as my son sat there screaming after throwing up 90% of his milk i decided to give it ago, after all what was the point in me having all that milk when formula was making him so sick?!
so ever since we have been breastfeeding very successfully im very lucky that he just knew wat to do! had a slight problem with mastitis but we got through it an hes nearly 5 months and going strong!!!!
I have to say im very pro breastfeeding now after tryin it!!!

sorry, bit early for this! :hihi: my niece is expecting her 2nd child and has decided this time round she'd like to breastfeed. She keeps asking my questions which is fine and I try and answer, but one of them is that she has inverted nipples and is it even possible? My basic answer is - I don't know! I'm sure it is, I think I remember reading something about using the nipple shields, is this right? Can anyone else give me any tips I can pass on to her?

yes you can. She should be able to feed fine as the babys mouth goes round the breast not the nipple. So its basically about good positioning and latching the baby well. A nipple sheild can help though if you are having problems.

I second that waxy, I think she should maybe speak to a breastfeeding councillor and they'll be able to offer some hints and tips.

cool, will tell her those! are there bf counsellors in the sure start centres? I know they have the drop in clinic at the jessops.

Yes she should be able to feed fine. Tell her to contact NCT (national childbirth trust) as they have a breast feeding support group so she can have propper support and help in ensuring baby latches ok. I had mega problems feeding and wish i knew about the group sooner. Hope that helps. By the way there is a website and you can contact people through that :)

hey id say to be honest just to go with your instincts when breast feeding as i didnt plan to do and just ended up doing it lol, when i read up on it i actually ended with sore nipples!!! so just tell her to follow them motherly instincts they never fail you!

Hi,
Yes you can get nipple sheilds they are fine to use. I found BF abit hard at first but I managed to stick at it for about 16weeks so I did pretty well. I had a bad time of it as well and having huge boobs did not help me at all. Good luck to your sister though.

Has she got a brest pump? sometimes they advise you to maybe you that to bring the nipple out and then try latching baby on.

:hihi: my neice has humongous boobs too! she was worried about suffocating baby, but mine arent tiny and all mine are still here to tell the tale :D
16 weeks is good, I only managed about 12 weeks with my first

my nipples were inverted. after giving birth i started breastfeeding. my left nipple came out and became normal nipple after few days of feeding. but my right one did not change. my son refused to suck right breas starting from 3rd week, because he just couldn't get milk at all. now he is 14 month old and my right nipple is still inverted but i still brest feed with my left one. i couldn't breast feed without midwife's and la leche league's help. la leche league has sent me broshure which i found very helpful. i recommend writing a letter to them

hey solving the huge boob problem, just feed in wat they call the rugby position or laid on your side its much easier!!!!

As the title says I have breastmilk.

Lewis is nearly 29 weeks and I have always bottlefed. I was planning on breastfeeding but there were no sign of any milk until 3 days after he was born and by then he was ok on the bottle (although thinking back I should have tried it again - but oh well) Two days after that my milk supply dried up. This is the reason why I am baffled!

Yesterday I was just sitting on the sofa and the underneath of my breast felt quite hard and a little painful so I touched the area and it spurted out a fair quantity of breastmilk........ :o Today both breasts are leaking a little - I daren't press - I don't want to give them any sort of encouragement!

I have a contraceptive implant in my arm which I have had for 3 months and my periods have been all over the place since so I have returned to the docs and they gave me two months supply of contraceptive pills to take to try and curb my monthly cycle. I have only taken them since Wednesday. Could this be the reason why? Or do you think my boobies were trying to produce some sort of 'magic milk' to make Lewis feel better!

Make the most of it. You could even start breastfeeding now if you wanted. If not express it for him if you want.

Make the most of it. You could even start breastfeeding now if you wanted. If not express it for him if you want.

That thought crossed my mind but I am back at work soon so would be quite hard. I just can't beleive that my boobies have decided to start doing their job six months too late :hihi:

That thought crossed my mind but I am back at work soon so would be quite hard. I just can't beleive that my boobies have decided to start doing their job six months too late :hihi:

Well the thing is in the first few days there is very little that comes out at all and even less that you can get out. Your baby on the other hand after a bit of practice can get out exactly what they need and will feed almost continuasly. This is where new mums usually get very wrong advice from people that should know better. Milk works on a supply and demand basis and also with your hormones. If your baby has been a bit off their is a good chance that it has brought your milk back. If you dont want to start feeding you could still express some and freeze it.

To be honest when Lewis was born I was that tired I don't think I was thinking straight and it didn't help with the way that one of the support workers spoke to me when I kept asking for help it was as though I was bothering her so I kept quiet and gave up. I think if I had gone home straight away I would have been more relaxed. I am feeling a little upset thinking back to it.....I think my hormones have gone crazy! :)

To be honest when Lewis was born I was that tired I don't think I was thinking straight and it didn't help with the way that one of the support workers spoke to me when I kept asking for help it was as though I was bothering her so I kept quiet and gave up. I think if I had gone home straight away I would have been more relaxed. I am feeling a little upset thinking back to it.....I think my hormones have gone crazy! :)

I am not suprised to here that. I had one come and tell me how to breastfeed at three in the morning and this is my third. :loopy: There is a massive problem with the breastfeeding support in sheffield. Many of my friends have been let down in similar ways to you and it devestates them. The only reason breastfeeding was as successful for me was that I ignored what people said and took examples from my mum, aunties and grandma. I also had three babies that knew exactly what they were doing even if i didnt. I also didnt facy the idea of getting up in the middle of the night to make a bottle. Breastfeeding is the lazy mums route. ;) Dont feel bad, you have a beautiful baby boy and breastfeeding is just a small part of a massive role. Failing that use it to squirt your OH in the face when he gets home. :hihi::hihi:

Failing that use it to squirt your OH in the face when he gets home. :hihi::hihi:

:hihi:

When I have my next or even if (I don't want to take anything for granted!) I am not going to give up and bf for at least 13 weeks. I don't feel bad about not bf but feel bad that I didn't tell her to get her lazy ass down and give me some help!

I don't think Lewis really likes his formula anymore. He enjoys eating proper food too much! :)

I know it's not quite the same as I did breastfeed but I breastfed my lo until 8 months and even now he is 19 months old I can still squeeze milk (only the tinest amount) from my left boob! Nearly a year later! So it can stick around for a long time.

Ok - this is a genuine question and not a breast V bottle debate! I have formula fed and breast fed my kids at different stages. My last DD I Breast fed for 2 years. She started on solids at about 6 months and really liked her food. However she was a terrible sleeper till about 15 months. My other kids all had been on formula by 3 months, and all slept through about 12 hours at night from 3 months. DS2 ( 7 months) is still breast fed. he has very little interest in solids. He is big and I have no concerns he is getting enough in terms of his growth ( he is around 24 lbs LOL:hihi:) BUT he is a rubbish sleeper. We have tried some CC, but never seem to get very far. It does improve his sleep somewhat but he is still waking every 2-3 hours through the night, no matter what I try. Then yesterday I had a horrible virus, felt like death and was exhausted so I bought a tub of formula. I gave hime 4 oz at about 2pm which he loved ( although he refused a previous try and a later try before bed, so I ended up breast feeding him before bed.)but he slept really well for the evening - till about 10pm - which is about 2 hours longer than normal.
So my question is have you had a breast fed baby that has slept well? Have you mixed breast and formula feeding with much success? I am very conflicted about this. For me personally it was important to breastfedd DS. I do enjoy it. and it means a lot to me. BUT I am exhausted. I have 5 other kids to look after and they need me to be at my best for them too. Would formula imrove his sleep or not? Will I regret it if I start off down that route, will it mean an end to breastfeeding? I do feel he has had a god 7 months so that is god - just not sure which way to go with this now.
Any input appreciated!:thumbsup:
Louise

I've breastfed all my kids and obviously praise it as much as I can, but I have to admit I've wondered about this. All my kids have been terrible sleepers, none of them sleeping through the night till they were well over a year, yet I know formula fed babies who have slept from 3 weeks or something :suspect:
I think one of the benefits of formula is the ability to dream feed, something I've never managed with breastfeeding.
The occasional bottle of formula will not mean you have to stop breastfeeding, although obviously the more formula you give the more your milk supply will dwindle.
Until very recently I was in your shoes - my DD wasn't sleeping through until she was about 16 months old! I eventually said enough was enough and refused to breastfeed in the night, every time she woke I made my poor partner go in to her with a sippy cup of water. She'd have a few drinks from it but eventually decided it wasn't worth waking for :hihi:
Only you can decide which route to take, but if you feel he sleeps better with a bottle of formula at night then thats up to you. You're right, you need to be sleeping yourself to cope with all the kids! anything to make life easier for you!

I breastfed my lo until 8 months. At 5 weeks he started sleeping for 6/7 hours a night and at 8 weeks he started sleeping 9/10 hours per night. He used to want to feed a lot in the evenings like he was stocking up and he didn't go to bed unitl late about 10-11pm because of his evening feeding frenzies. By 5 months we were getting him to bed for 8pm and he was sleeping until 8am, so i think breastfed babies can sleep well.

At 6 and half months he started having some formula and by 8 months he was just having formula. I found it worked ok doing both but I was really only doing it to wean him off the breast altogether. I did find when I went down to just giving the breastfeed before bed that I didn't seem to have much milk and that's when I dropped that feed too (and he started biting a lot with 4 teeth!!). I found he then started dropping off to sleep quicker and I think that's because after dropping down to just one feed my milk was just drying up.

At 19 months he now sleeps 6.45 til about 7.30 or this morning 8.15am! He has always been a really good sleeper. I don't think this changed at all when I started to formula feed him. He gradually went to bed earlier but I think that's just because he was getting older. So breastfed babies can sleep well. Apparently I was a really good sleeper as a baby but my sister didn't sleep until she was 3 :o we were both breastfed.

I don't think you should feel bad if you want to stop breastfeeding. As you say you have given him a really good stint at it. They do say the first 6 months are the most important. I felt bad at the time as my lo wasn't happy to have formula and it was a battle and very upsetting but I just didn't feel I could go on anymore as I had bad eczema which was staying bad due to my hormones. In the end I thought I've stuck it out (i didn't enjoy it) for this long for his benefit and now I've got to think of myself and in your case your other kids too.

Good luck with it all.

Thanks honeyb35 and corbyn. I'm still no further forward on this one. It was interesting to hear your LO slept so well whilst Breastfeeding Corbyn. Maybe I just need to work on his sleep patterns more? He does fall asleep on his own in the cot with a dummy, but still wakes a LOT through the night to feed. With 4 we ended up night weaning her at about 15 months when I couldn't take anymore. Maybe I should just hang in there for a few months and try that option.
This morning I tried him with another bottle but it was a disaster. It took over an hour to get him to take 4oz. He cried, and I cried. Then he was so exhausted the poor little mite fell asleep in my arms and I cried some more, whilst I had huge almost exploding boobs.:( I was sooo sad.
It would be really good if he would take an occasional bottle though cause I can never leave him for more than a couple of hours. My older kids are in a big concert in Dec, and I'm going to watch it, my sister is babysitting but I don't know what I'll do if I can't leave him a bottle.
I feel quite overwhelmed by it all at the moment. Doesn't help that I have a horrible dose of flu at the moment ( proper flu not man flu or a bad cold!;)) and could hardly stand up yesterday!:(:(
Oh well we'll see how it goes.

I breast fed Harry until he was 5 months, he is now 6 months. He slept thru from 10ish until 6ish from around 4 weeks, and now sleeps 7.30-7.30/8ish. I think I have been very lucky tho. He did the same tho, he used to cluster feed from tea time til bed, but I didnt mind as I knew I would get a decent sleep. He also slept thru the first night we used a sleeping bag, coeincidence or not im not sure.