Breastfeeding dilemma
Show your support
I’m the opposite I feel lots of pressure to keep going. Mum guilt that formula isn’t as good for them etc etc. Why would anyone be pressuring you to stop?
There's so much pressure to stop. if you look up the UK stats I think it's something like only 1% of babies at 6 months haven't had formula. There's this constant talk about "are you sure you're producing enough?" which causes mothers to doubt themselves, and the whole "they'd sleep through if you just gave a bottle of formula" etc .. I breastfed to about 2 years 2 months with my first and i kept getting incredulous looks with "you're STILL breastfeeding??" I plan to do the same this time, and breastfeed as long as my baby wants to. I totally understand the pressure
@Emma 🌱 exactly this 😭 everyone around me keeps asking “when are you going to stop and make the switch” and it’s making me think I should? Then I have sleepless nights and all I hear is, maybe he’s hungry and not getting enough. It’s such a mental battle
Exactly, people asking if baby is having enough food. Especially if he dares to cry. My reply always remain that my baby looks healthy and is meeting milestones, so they need to start minding their own business
Imo you've got through the really tough part, it just gets easier from here as they start weaning and then drop feeds over time. That's how I found it with my first. I do combi feed 1 bottle a day but that's because I found ebf too much pressure. But I breastfed my first until the week she turned 1 when she dropped her last feed herself. Tell them to sod off you know what's best for your baby.
Omg the comments about if they are getting enough milk (all from her dad’s side!!!!) drive me absolutely insane I really have to bite my tongue - I wouldn’t mind if she was tiny but she’s quite clearly normal size for her age and coming on so well! Coming from people who weaned from 3 months and think that’s normal, you can’t win!
It’s always up to you what feels best, so don’t let others pressure you! My personal experience is I ebf my first for 2 years. Massive positives for me were that he fed to sleep very easily so bedtime was always a breeze, likewise if he ever got grizzly he was instantly soothed at the boob, and I didn’t have to try and wean him off the boob before he was ready. Negatives are I went back to work at 6 months and hated pumping. Also in terms of sleeping through, my first didn’t for ages, however my second baby is also ebf and slept through from very early on - it’s 100% about your baby and their temperament, not whether you ebf or formula feed!
All these comments helped a lot, thank you 🥹❤️
If someone asks if my 6mo is getting enough milk, they're welcome to hold him and see how long it takes for their arms to hurt, then they can tell me again if he's getting enough 😂😂
I find it so mental why anyone would pressure someone to stop. It's literally reccomended to continue until 2yo by the world health organisation. If you love it, KEEP GOING. It's an amazing thing to do for your baby. I love it too and the thought of stopping or introducing formula makes me sad. I was a bit worried about milk supply and him being hungry and started taking fennegreek and it's made a huge difference. My boob's are so full!!
@Natasha is it a supplement of fenegreek you take? I’d like to increase my supply too :)
Ok. One thing, waking during the night at this age is 100% normal and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Babies CAN sleep longer on formula but that's because its heavier on their tummies. Not because they weren't getting enough on breast. at this age they are learning to link sleep cycles so often wake between them and need your help to fall back to sleep. If baby is having enough wet and dirty nappies and gaining weight and is content between feeds, they are getting enough. I say this as a breastfeeding mum who's baby is bottom percentile. Healthy, happy, pooing and peeing loads just a slow gainer. The longer I've fed for the more I'm just comfortable with it now, it has got easier as she's got older and now it's just our thing!
@Elle yes! This is the one I'm taking and within about 3 days in noticed a big difference to my supply. I've been taking it about 2 weeks now and it's been amazing! https://www.naturesselection.co.uk/products/clean-fenugreek-capsules-2000mg?_pos=1&_sid=53a2f0f81&_ss=r&variant=47540085752153
I’m EBF my 6mo and 2.5yo 🤣🤣 I obviously love the journey and I’m taking in every second as I know I’ll miss it. I’m planning on stopping when my young one turns 1… but I also planned that with my first and she’s now 2.5 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
What pressure are you under to stop? It's absolutely your decision and Breastmilk continues to have amazing benefits for your baby as they get older. I won't lie I've had some major struggles with it over the last nearly 6 months but I have found a rhythm now and every now and again she has a fussy day and I think I can't do it, so far I've always powered through and the next day is better!