how many bf a day at seven months

[BugBias]

Howdy,
I was thinking of getting a part time job as being a SAHM is killing me (no offence)
I didn't want to give up breastfeeding so I was wondering if I get him down to three feeds a day would this be alright? Of cause hes already on solids (at four and a half months). I'd only be working from 3 till 7...

Just wondering
Kim

[BrenNZ]

Hi Kim,

Like you, I find it hard being with bub all day everyday & sometimes boring. I'm not sure if this is what you mean by it's killing you but you can feel like you aren't contributing to society anymore which seems depressing.

I found comfort on this site as other mums reflected this too. I guess in a way there is nothing more valuable to contribute to society than a happy baby which is well loved and given lots of time by mum. But we do need a few breaks now and then and rest!

I am at the stage now where I have to get out and try some new things - play group, toy library, etc. I hope getting a part-time job solves the problem for you.

My suggestion is - can you demand feed as usual when at home then either express milk or bottle feed formula for the 3 hours you are working?

My baby (9 mths) breastfeeds every couple of hours, has solids for b'fast, lunch and dinner. But from a young age we left him with family, so he has formula from a bottle instead. We aren't worried about this as he still gets plenty of my milk.

Perhaps you can train baby to take formula/ expressed milk and solids for the hours when you aren't there, then continue b'feeding for the rest of the day?

all the best
Brenda
NZ

[TLCC]

Hi Kim,

Apparently we are only supposed to give them 3 BF a day from around 6 months, but more importantly when they are happy on solids you can cut out the BF and use water instead for a couple of the feeds to get down to the 3 a day.

Try cutting out a morning or afternoon feed and replace with a snack and water and you should be able to drop them fairly quickly. If you start doing it before you start working that will make the transition less stressful for you both (not so much urgency if there is a bad day).

My DD wouldn't take a bottle so we worked tirelessly on a straw cup (pigeon brand) and it worked a treat and now I'm down to one BF a day (last one of the day) and she has formula in a straw cup for breakfast and lunch (she is now 11months).

Good luck, just try different options, try some formula (you can get it in packets at some supermarkets so you don't have to buy a whole tin if they don't like it).

You could give him a BF in the morning, lunch and then an evening one depending on what time he goes to sleep, nothing wrong with that. You can have formula available if need be for whomever he is with.

Good luck,