Breastfeeding Question.. The "Right" Choice?

Question

Let me start off by saying that I am a full-time graduate student with not a lot of down time. I have a 3 month old and have been exclusively breastfeeding. He feeds about every 2 hours. I rarely have time to do homework and I'm falling behind. People around me keep telling me to switch to formula, that he'll sleep longer.. I just don't know what to do. Please don't attack me or others in the comments trying to help. I know breastfeeding is a touchy subject and I'm just looking for some advice or personal experiences. I appreciate anyone who responds.

Answer

He won’t sleep longer, that is a myth. Obviously; do what works for you and your kid and if formula makes things work then who cares about what anyone might say or think. If you want to continue breastfeeding, can you try and pump and get someone else to feed him while you do what you need to do?

Answer

the "right choice" is the choice that works best for you. If switching to formula or maybe pumping a bottle or two a day to help you with school, then do it. You need to get on track with school

Answer

Ebf for 3 months is an accomplishment so be proud mamma! I've had so much trouble bf my daughter, it really seems like a full time job sometimes. I really don't think I would have stuck with it if I had other things to worry about. Are you also pumping? Maybe he's not taking in as much at the breast as he could with a bottle. I'm definitely not an expert, but just a thought. I don't think it's wrong to switch to formula, but I don't think that would be my next step. I would try pumping. With a hands free bra you could still do school work. If that doesn't work for you at least you know you did everything you could. Bf is great, but so is finishing school. Good luck!!

Answer

Is there anyone who can help you?
Plenty of people supplement breast milk with formula. You probably don’t have a lot to lose by giving him some formula before bed and seeing if he sleeps longer. Using fine formula doesn’t mean you can’t also breastfeed.
When I went back to work and my son was still breast-feeding every 2 to 3 hours, I would feed him, pump, and my husband would feed him the pumped milk next time he was awake so I could get a longer chunk of sleep. It made a pretty big difference.

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The “right choice” is different for everyone. I don’t think there’s any shame in finding out what will work best for you guys.

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Maybe try pumping? The best choice you can make is the one that benefits your baby, but failing school for the sake of sticking with BF isn’t going to benefit them in the long-term! Do what is right for you, and don’t let other people decide what that means.

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you don't have to do only one or the other you can always pump as well supplement if you want to

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I’ve honestly started pumping more with my LO (he’s 6 weeks) and it helps a lot at night. I️ can control how much he eats, it gets him to sleep faster, and he’s been sleeping a lot longer since we started. I️ still breastfeed during the day, but bottle feeding what I️ pump at night has helped out a lot.

Answer

Im pro choice. My first was formula fed, my daughter is currently breastfed. Formula does not guarantee longer sleeping. Formula comes with its own issues, such as intolerance and trying to find the right kind, which can lead to a fussy baby. If you feel like you are falling behind on schoolwork and that is very important to you then switching to formula may be your option. Breast-feeding is time consuming and stress diminishes your supply so if you are stressed out from school work you may have a harder time trying to breast-feed your baby.ultimately the choice is up to you formula is expensive, boobs are free LOL. But in the end all that matters is that your baby is fed and happy and healthy and that you make the decision that is best for you and your baby and that you were happy with that.  It's a tough decision to make. My son was breast-fed for the first six weeks but after that I had a hard time producing milk because he was in the neonatal intensive care for seven weeks so when I had to switch to formula I felt defeated but realize that in the end he was healthy and he was fed and to me that's all that mattered. Happy mama equals happy baby.

Answer

Like others are saying, it's w/e will work best for you. No one plan works for everyone. I have been ebf for 7 months now & I like to think my baby sleeps fine. He's always been that way (except when he's sick). My sister tried hard to breastfeed, my nephews mouth was too small & she struggled trying everything she could think of. She now formula feeds & he doesn't sleep any better than when she was pumping bottles for him. Every baby is different, but if you want to feed him ur milk you can always try pumping bottles for a few feedings or try formula or both.

Breastfeeding Question.. The "Right" Choice?

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