Switching to formula?

So My youngest was slightly premature and he is very demanding. He breastfeeds far more often then a term baby and he has developed colic. I have a 1 year old and a 5 year old that I am having to neglect attention wise just to keep my youngest from crying none stop. My house is a disaster ALL of the time because I am just to busy with they kids. My DH won't help with any thing and I feel like I am going out of my damn mind. My mom thinks it would make things easier on me if I switched my youngest to formula so that he is fuller and I can put him on a formula for colicy babies. I am extremely tempted to do it. I am tired and run down and have had enough. But I know I am going to miss the bond of breastfeeding. IDK what to do. I just want to cry. What should I do?

Do what you need to do... You know what and how much you can handle. If this will be helpful, then do it

There's still a chance that he'll still cry all the time even on formula, though. But I do understand how you feel, I considered feeding DS2 formula because with a 1 and 2 year old, it wasn't fair time wise. I ended up pumping instead. I have a huge stash in the freezer that I haven't even touched yet because I ended up continuing to BF. If it will help make it easier give it a try, and see what happens.

How old is he? If he wasn't just born you could try a bottle and see how he does with it.

I'll be honest and tell you besides my milk just wasnt producing but 1/2 ounce for every 2 hours-4 hours I pretty much do the switch because I felt at a loss. I had just turned 20 when I had her and he had horrible colic. I had no idea there were people that could help me (like lactation consultants) and in the hospital no one helped me when I couldn't get her to latch correctly. I wish I could have bf her until t least 6 months but making the switch was the best thing I ever did. I actually got a solid 2-3 hours of sleep after that! Lol it would be better for baby's health but it honestly saved my life! I am so grateful to have formula and programs that can help me afford it. And I don't feel selfish one but. Wish I could have done it longer. But I didn't. And it is what it is. Thank god for formula!

I would be worried that formula could make the colic worse, (maybe). My first was colicky and it was maddening. I thought I was going crazy having a baby attached to my boob more often than not and having her scream bloody murder from late afternoon till late at night. But it did pass when she was about 12 weeks old (she was a term baby, but VERY HIGH maintenance)

White noise help significantly.


But do what you think is best, and don't let anyone guilt you if the best thing is formula.

One suggestion, a wrap or my breastfriend, so you can get things done while the baby nurses?

Breastfeeding is very demanding, and the fact that you have to deal with a newborn, as well as two other children, without help from your partner (who I'm assuming is the father?) only makes it all the more challenging. I'd be demanding help from that smurf.

Switching to formula is easier in a lot of ways, most importantly that others can help you feed the baby and give you a break, but has its hassles too (mostly just the cleaning and preparing of bottles, which may or may not bother you).

Maybe a good option would be to try both. Keep breastfeeding, but introduce formula too and switch between feedings so the baby is still getting the best from you, but freeing you up from having 100% of the responsibility.

With my youngest all he did was cry all day long and suck on my breast until they were flat pancakes and cry again until i could make more milk for him. My 3 year old, 2 at the time, would act out because she wasnt getting any attention from me, i'd dread when it was time to nurse. We went through it for 5 werks til i gave in and let me tell you, it was night and day. The non stop crying stopped, he slept longer and it made life easier for us. So do whats going to make life easier for you.

I also ended up pumping after 5 weeks of bf my twins. That was an extra step but it kept me sane because I could let others help me with feedings and could even sleep through one once in a while. When we switched to formula, life got even easier. Do what you need to do to keep your household happy and healthy!