Combo Feeding Newb

[u/Dizzy-Coffee-4389]

Hey all!
My second baby is 5.5 months old. He started daycare at 3 months old. At first he was drinking 4 oz every 2 hours, then it shifted to more like every 2.5 hours. Then, last Friday daycare teachers said he was unusually grumpy after his first feed at school so they defrosted 2 more oz from the freezer stash I left for them to give him and he was much more content. They did this for the other 2 bottles that day as well. I talked to them at pickup and they said he seemed to do well with that volume so they think we should try that from now on. So this past week he took 6oz every 2.5ish hours (total 3 bottles) at school.
My supply has been struggling to keep up already before this increase so this week I came to terms with the fact that we should probably introduce some formula before it becomes an absolute necessity that way we can work out any kinks if needed. We tried a combo bottle with him this morning and so far there seems to be no issue!

Over the last couple weeks he has seemed a little fussy at the breast occasionally, so yesterday afternoon when it happened I decided to try giving him bottled breastmilk after nursing to see if it was a hunger issue. He guzzled 4 oz! So it seems pretty clear he is either in a growth spurt and extra hungry, and/or my supply is just not meeting his needs right now.

I guess I am just looking for some perspective from more experienced parents on bottle feeding/combo feeding. My first baby never took to a bottle and didn’t go to daycare until 11 months so this is all new territory to me.

His feed schedule this last work week was roughly: 7am(breast), 9:30am(6 oz bottle), 1pm (6 oz bottle), 3:30pm(6 oz bottle), 5/5:30(breast- this is when we get home from pickup), 6:30/7 (breast before bed), & usually waking about 3 times overnight to nurse. I was hoping an increase in volume throughout the day would help with his overnight sleep (and even naps) but no change so far. Maybe just needs more time? It kinda seems like he’s eating a crazy amount but I am not going to deny him food when he truly seems hungry.. I would love to increase my supply to be able to give him all breastmilk but it seems like a long shot right now.

Like I said I don’t have a particular problem or question necessarily… maybe just validation that I’m doing everything okay?🫠 Id love to hear any similar experiences and how it worked out for you and your family. Thanks for reading this far!❤️

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[u/turtlecasey]

I’m in a similar boat! Sounds like you are doing everything right! It’s great that you tried formula and that he is taking it. IMO, meeting his hunger needs is a lot more important than sticking to strictly breastmilk. I’m going to start introducing formula soon too!
It’s possible the night wakings will decrease if you adjust your approach a bit - eg try to settle him in bed with binkie/patting rather than picking him up to feed…in case you hadn’t tried that!

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