u/Most-Chicken4005

Hey all! We have made the decision to start combo feeding our 6 week old. Currently we are triple feeding with expressed breastmilk with little to no progress towards EBF and I feel for my own sanity, its time for a new system.

For those who combo feed, how do you do it? what does your schedule look like and how do you maintain adequate supply? I would like to continue working on breastfeeding, and pumping to supply breastmilk from bottles sometimes as well, while also making the addition of formula top ups to remove all of the top up pumping ive been doing after every breastfeed.

I would LOVE to drop one MOTN pumping session ideally (baby is bottle fed throughoutthe night currently), but given my output is best throughout the night and early morning, im not sure if thats the best call for supply?

I dont have a lot of knowledge on this topic so I'd love any and all insight you have about combo feeding and your experience with it!

Edit to add: My LO is currently not a very effective breastfeeder and doesn't empty me efficiently, so I do expect a significant drop in supply once I drop the top up pumps. So im wanting to maintain it through strategic full pumps if possible?

My LO and I have had feeding challenges from the start. He had a tongue and lip tie revision at one week old, then due to significant weight loss we were put on a triple feeding schedule and have been stuck there ever since. He is now 6 weeks old. I recently started transitioning to more of a combo feeding schedule, still with expressed breastmilk, but less topping up with each feed and more breastfeeding on demand no matter how often or how long, while also balancing some full bottle feeds and pumps in there to give myself a break. Once I started this, my supply began to dip substantially as LO still cannot transfer/empty milk effectively. So now we are back to triple feeding. I feel like my whole day is taken up by feeding, whether its pumping or breastfeeding, oral excercises, googling information, anticipating the next feed, timing the next pump, washing the pump parts and the bottles, getting top ups ready, its become all encompassing.

My goal was to primarily breastfeed this time around, as due to his heart condition and lack of knowledge and support on my end, I had to formula feed with my first. He developed a CMPA that made formula feeding a challenging process as well but once we found what worked for him, it became a non issue.

This time I've been really set on the bonding experience that comes with breastfeeding, and of course take comfort in the benefits of breastmilk. But I find myself thinking more and more about formula feeding and what a relief that might be for us. Last night, during my 2am pump, I found myself researching formulas while also crying about the thought of and guilt I feel by even considering switching, when I could exclusively pump if needed. The added financial aspect of formula feeding is also a secondary pressure, that is definitely the biggest deterant for my Husband when we discuss the topic. But I know for myself that exclusively pumping is just not the journey I want, and mentally I dont think I could take that on. Logically I know that a fed baby is a happy baby, and there are many incredible formula options out there, but I cannot seem to get past the guilty feeling and the idea of giving up on our breastfeeding journey.

I guess all this is to say that I would love to hear your experiences with making the switch. When did you know it was time? What improvements did you see? Or were there negative impacts to switching that you didnt forsee? How did you move past the mom guilt if you had any?

I feel stuck in a hard spot emotionally and mentally while considering this big decision, that of course is exacerbated by all of the pp hormones, but I always find so much comfort in connecting with other moms and their shared experiences. 🤍

So my LO and I have been triple feeding since about a week old. He had a tongue and lip tie released so we have been working on improving breastfeeding as best we can. At this time he still cannot transfer enough milk to fill himself up, before getting fatigued and falling asleep. I know this is still the case as he will feed anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour at a time, side switching as we go. He then falls asleep, but if I attempt to transfer him, he will wake and be immediately ravenous, to which ill put him back on the breast. If he contact naps, he will nap for maybe an hour, then feed again, rinse, repeat.

Trying to move away from triple feeding we have begun providing only bottles of expressed milk at night, I then pump during each of those feeds.

To try and improve breastfeeding, I have been committing a few hours a day to EBF on demand and only offer top ups if he becomes way to frustrated to continue. Ill usually do a short pump after the top up, but in general am trying to move away from top ups. Once my partner is home in the afternoon, my LO will get a bottle feed to give me a break, to which ill do a full pump.

Since starting to lean further in to EBF, I am noticing a dip in my pumping output. At first I thought it was because he was transferring more efficiently, but my output is significantly lower during my MOTN full pumps as well. I am wondering if this could be due to inefficient emptying during the daytime breastfeeding and if I should go back to capping feeds, topping up, and pumping more throughout the day to protect my supply until LO gets better?

I am trying to find a balance that supports breastfeeding and building his skills, while also protecting my supply and my mental health as well. I appreciate any and all advice and insights!