Bottle of formula overnight?

Question

My little girl was born 4 weeks early and so we have some feeding challenges - she gets very tired feeding and so I express after every breast feed, give her an EBM top-up through a bottle and wake her every three hours round the clock to make sure she gets enough food which gets exhausting. 
The last two nights my husband has taken the midnight feed - I am making just enough milk to satisfy her (I can express 50-80mL post feed from one breast) - but there’s not enough left over to give my husband a EBM bottle so he’s been giving her a bottle of formula. The extra sleep is helping me enormously (I sleep from after her feed at 9pm until her feed at 3am) but I feel guilty missing a feed and I’m worried it will eventually affect my supply. Thoughts??? Am I being selfish?

Answer

I think you’re doing the best you can, nothing selfish about that. Be more kind to yourself ❤️

Answer

If the extra sleep is helping you, then don't feel bad about skipping one feeding! It may affect your supply, but you could do an extra pumping session in the morning and evening to make up for it

Answer

I hit the three day baby blues really hard yesterday. I was in tears all day thinking I was the worst mother and being totally selfish. 
Today I had my catch up midwife appointment where I had to admit that I was not sleeping because I was worrying about how bad I was and that I hadn't eaten in days because I was so panicked about doing everything and not getting breastfeeding perfect right away. She gave me the best advice: You have to look after yourself so that your baby gets the best of you. So if you need to supplement with formula to get some sleep and perform at your best for your baby then that's what you should do. it's not selfish to help yourself so that you can take care of their needs.

Answer

You need to keep your mental health and sleep in mind too. Don’t feel guilty mama. Any breast milk is good and the baby will get all of the benefits 💕

Answer

Do what you need to do to survive and don’t feel guilty. It will likely affect your supply if you don’t add another pumping session in there somewhere but if extra sleep will help you be a better parent overall then that’s totally okay.  
Our baby was nine weeks early and my husband and I currently both have to get up for his feedings at night because the NICU wants him to be bottle fed my fortified breastmilk for two feedings but I also have to pump. 
Feeding is complicated. Do whatever you need to do that works for your family.

Answer

My little one was born four weeks early too. I hear ya. Feeding is difficult. She falls asleep easily when feeding. Then cluster feeds at weird hours. I’m pumping after each feeding for 15 minutes unless she cluster feeds. She is also colicky and likes to be held while sleeping. She is a light sleeper and wakes easily. 
You probably get more sleep than me and are lucky to have a husband that helps you.

Answer

Definitely not being selfish at all, but giving formula can add to the issues you're already having 😔 formula is heavier and thicker than breastmilk which will stretch out babies tummy and make them think they need more breastmilk. Your body is also missing that feeding in the middle of the night so you will eventually produce less. I know it's a viscous cycle. Try increasing your water intake like a gallon a day. Do gatorade too and oatmeal and make sure 100% you're getting enough calories. Sounds like youre doing everything u can. Good luck hope you have a long successful breastfeeding journey its so worth it ❤

Bottle of formula overnight?

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