Top up or continue breastfeeding?

When you dont have enough milk in your boobs for that specific feeding session and your babymis not full after finishing two boobs, do you let him stay on the boobs to get enough even if it takes 1 more hour coz according to the nhs and midwives you never run out of milk and you should change sides until the baby is full? Or do you give a top up after two boobs if the baby is not settled?

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Baby will just keep suckling until they have enough. You will keep getting that surge of milk feeling when they suckle enough. Your body will always provide them with enough even when it feels like there not. A growth spurt, cluster feeding etc can all mean baby is extra hungry. Make sure you keep hydrated and lots of snacks to keep your energy up. I personally wouldn’t supplement with formula - trust your body ❤️

It varies depending on weight which no one told me until my little one had suddenly dropped weight hugely n midwife told us its because she was feeding too long burning more calories than she was intaking due to her low weight to begin with.

Generally speaking tho you should just switch, it takes 20-30 mins to make enough milk after a feed for another feed so by time youve fed off one other should be full enough to top it off tho if your having a really tiring or painful day cluster feeding topping up with the odd ounce has never hurt anyone!

My LO doesn't like my left boob so only ever takes off the right and I express the left alot between 8 and 11 he can't get frustrated from my boobs so I give him some expressed Milk in a bottle he calms down then xxx

Is it specific feeds that baby is fussy after? Or is it after every feed?
If there are lots of feeds where baby is content and only specific times where baby is more fussy (evenings for example), and there’s no concerns over their nappy output and weight gain etc, then you are making enough milk for them.
You should be cautious using a top up of formula whilst your supply is being established, as it might do the exact opposite of what you want it to do. Putting your baby to the breast on demand is what’s going to up and sustain your supply, a top up with formula won’t encourage your breasts to make more milk if there is a shortage/low supply- your baby won’t keep suckling to tell your body to up the supply, and they will also end up fuller for longer from a formula top up and so won’t go back on the breast as frequently, which can further affect supply.

https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/feeding-your-baby/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-challenges/milk-supply/

In theory, just keep switching boob!

But if it’s getting way too much, the odd Oz to let you take a breather won’t hurt. I had to last night after literally hours and hours of cluster feeding, gave 1-2oz to get some rest and composure!! (I try to pump at the same time to maintain the demand, but sometimes don’t manage it. As long as it’s occasional and minimal volume, will be fine!)

Have you tried the Haakka? I use it overnight when my breasts are very full. It gives me about 50ml over two sessions, so have enough for a little top up when I need it during the day.

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Ok, this might get a bit long, and a bit bumpy, so get comfy and buckle up.

So about a week or 2 ago, there was a post on here regarding sleepovers. Not letting their child go to them as you can't trust who'll be at the house etc.

Now, given recent incidents in nurseries and schools, plus my own experience back in the 90s, I am more concerned about sending my child to nursery and later school than I am to a friend's house for a sleep over.

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I was targeted at 7 years old by the owner of a prominent private school. Thankfully, I wasn't SA'd. In year 5 of primary school, I started to develop early, I was harassed by the boys and teachers made remarks about how my uniform didn't fit right, always "adjusting it" around my chest and legs.

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How to help my husband understand why I'd like to breastfeed

My husband is very supportive, but he is also someone who wants to make things as easy and as stress free as possible.

With our first child, I tried to breastfeed, but due to my own medical issues postpartum, baby and I were separated a lot and my milk dried up so quickly. We introduced formula around 2 weeks PP, and I tried pumping as much as I could, but it just lead to nothing. It was heartbreaking. It definitely ruined a lot of those early weeks for me, I was wrecked with guilt and sadness. I cried every day and felt like such a failure.

Now my son is a healthy, happy 2 year old and I eventually came to terms with formula feeding him. He was quite content with the first formula we tried, never had feeding or gas issues etc, so it felt like a much easier option.

Obviously my husband witnessed all of this and now we're expecting our second baby, he sort of assumed we'd just go straight to formula.

I told him pretty early that I'd like to try breastfeeding again, and although I won't be putting so much pressure on myself this time, I've also done more research and I'm more prepared for the hard times that might come up in the early days/weeks, and I'm trying to prepare for any complications.

He's very supportive and says it's totally up to me and hasn't tried to sway me either way, but I do get a feeling the moment things get difficult PP he will automatically be buying formula. And he won't mean it in a bad way, he'll just be trying to make things easier for me and take off the pressure. He won't understand that it's unhelpful.

His thinking is that as long as baby is fed that's all that matters, and I agree mostly! But I also understand how beneficial breastfeeding can be and want to give it all my effort if I'm able!

So I guess I'm asking, are there any good resources I could send him to read? Preferably nothing too long/wordy, but something that explains the benefits and how to best support me during this time too? (Also something preferably from the UK as I know guidance can differ depending on country)