I am looking ideally (but obviously things can change) to BF but to top up with forumla on the night feeds. I would like to know how much baby is getting and make nighttime feeds quicker.....

If you are going to breast and bottle feed - when is best to introduce the formula or bottle?

28+1

im mixed feeding at the moment after 5months ex bf and would say bf is alot easier and quicker during the night feeds as I used to pop lo in bed feed then back into moses basket x

Until your milk supply is establised it is recommended to do the nightfeeds or express at night to make sure you produce enough.
I would probably speak to your midwife about it when you see her next to see wht she advises.
When I asked my midwife about introducing a bottle of EBM she advised me to wait 6 weeks in case of nipple confusion but not all babies get it
xxxx

Hey hun, i agree with Cara_x, BF is much quicker and easier through the night! I barely even wake up these days, I get her latched on, she feeds for 5 or 10 mins, then straight back off to sleep again! I occasionally give a bottle of EBM before bed, but it makes no difference to how long she sleeps, its just really so Dad can have a turn at feeding while i have a bath or whatever. I know some people who have given a bottle of formula before bed and it works well for them, so theres no reason why you couldnt give it a try! What i would say though is make sure you express while she's having that feed to keep your supply up.
Also i hope you don't mind me saying....
A lot of people do worry about breastfeeding because they don't know how much baby is getting. I was exactly the same. And i have to say, 10 weeks after haviing Bella it really no longer worries me! As long as baby is having wet and dirty nappies and is putting on weight, you'll know they are getting enough, so the amount of ounces really doesnt matter! xxx

Hi akaLadyK, can't believe you're so far along now!

As someone who has recently switched to mixed feeding (in preparation for going back to work) I would agree with the others that of the two, bf is quicker and easier. I'm NOT being a bf Nazi here - it's totally up to the individual how they choose to feed their own baby - just sharing my experience.

But to answer your question, I waited until 8 weeks to offer Lily a bottle for the first time and she refused it, so as long as bf is properly established I'd start offering the odd bottle asap. She's only just accepted it now at 7 months, which is why I was only very recently able to leave her and go out.

I had no choice but to mix feed at 1 week as LO lost too much weight. Initially this was both day and night but as my milk established more I did cut back on the formula and just used it for the last feed before I went to bed. During the night I did bf as it was easier than grabbing a bottle from the fridge and warming it as unless you have a very large house it's diffucult not to hear the crying while the bottle is being prepped.

Thanks so much for your input girls, i really dont have any strong views of my own at the minute so it is great hearing what you all think, I guess I will know my own body/baby when it comes and how much he wants/needs/getting

PTB - I know 29 this week, still feels like an eternity away hehe i have always been so impatient x