BF - help!!

PennyLane26 · June 2013

I know I could post this on the BF board, but wanted to see if you girls have any insight first...

DD loves her bedtime routine. I posted about it the other day -

6:30pm: Nurse7pm: Bath 7:30pm: PJs, Swaddle, Cuddle8pm: BM Bottle

8:30pm: Binky & Bed!

Unfortunately she has started to refuse the breast at our 6:30 nursing sesh. I'm baffled by this. She nurses all day and also MOTN with no problem. I don't know if this is happening because she's preferring bottle over breast in the evening OR if she's tired and knows bottle = bedtime.

Last night I tried to hold off on giving her a bottle until our usual 8pm time, but she started fussing as early as 5:30 and gave hungry cues all evening, I kept trying to get her to latch but she would just pull off and cry. I'd put her down and she would fall asleep only to wake up 10 minutes later crying and sucking. By the time 7:30pm came I caved and gave her a bottle. She was so hungry she ate over 4 oz- (usually she only takes 3oz). and fell asleep for the night.

I feel so badly, I know she's hungry but I'm afraid if I give her a bottle at 6:30 that a) she'll think it's bedtime and end up waking up at 10/11pm and b) she'll start wanting the bottle all day long and never nurse. WWYD?

OceanBreeze1 · June 2013

I'm mobile so I can't see a ticker, but can you consolidate daytime feedings, maybe move the one before 630 to later and then just do the bedtime bottle? Or maybe increase the amount in the daytime one to do this?

I had a hell of a time figuring out when to drop a feeding and increase amounts...but we also mostly just fed on demand.

Good luck!

jensahokie · June 2013

I remember reading that supply is usually lowest in late afternoon/early evening; do you feel like you have enough? I often had to supplement more this time of day and then ended up nursing + bottle at bedtime. Good luck!

PennyLane26 · June 2013

OceanBreeze1:
I'm mobile so I can't see a ticker, but can you consolidate daytime feedings, maybe move the one before 630 to later and then just do the bedtime bottle? Or maybe increase the amount in the daytime one to do this? I had a hell of a time figuring out when to drop a feeding and increase amounts...but we also mostly just fed on demand. Good luck!

I tried this today!! Worked wonders so far... we fed at 5:30 and she is a happy girl (it's 7pm right now). Good idea. Thank you!

PennyLane26 · June 2013

Ducky719:
I see from your ticker that little G is almost 2 months old. Sophie used to fuss a lot at this time of the evening...turns out she was just hungrier at that time of day. We added cluster feeding starting around 6 when she was one month old and it helped with her fussiness. You could try cluster feeding her with bottles. If you are afraid she'll go to sleep for the night, you *could* wake her for the last feeding (to top her off...some people do dream feeds, so it would be like the same thing). You really won't know for sure until you give it a try. As for her wanting a bottle all day long...I am no help there. I was desperate to have S off my boobs so when she started preferring bottles I was all in. I am guessing you feel differently about nursing than I do.

Sophie started doing the pull off/cry thing during our one nursing session (before bed) when I returned to work. It's no fun for mom or baby!!

Thanks Ducky! Actually, I can't say I'm one that LOVES bfing. I like the idea that we are building a connection that no one else can have with her, but I hate the engorged boobs from feeding on demand and I'm not comfortable NIP (maybe I'll get there someday). I'm trying my best to have her on the boob as long as possible - my goal is 6 months, but who knows... I'm actually pumping in addition and building a good freezer stash, so I think we'll be able to have her on BM even after I wean.

PennyLane26 · June 2013

jensahokie:
I remember reading that supply is usually lowest in late afternoon/early evening; do you feel like you have enough? I often had to supplement more this time of day and then ended up nursing + bottle at bedtime. Good luck!

We used to do this in addition to cluster feeding, but I've realized I have a very forceful let down. In the morning she is patient enough to deal with it by pulling off or clamping down. Rather than be extra hungry, I think she's just tired of my letdown by the time "dinner time" rolls around and she just wants the ease of the bottle. At least, that's what I'm thinking...

Want a personalized experience?

BF - help!!

Re: BF - help!!

Choose Another Board

Search Boards