If i breastfeed 2 or 3 times a day is that better than nothing or the same as if i didnt breastfeed at all?

Question

i delivered my baby one month ago and because ive been soo tired i havent been breastfeeding as often.. it went from 10 times a day to about 2 or 3. will my milk supply still stick around? is it better than nothing or is it the same as if i didnt breastfeed at alll? does he get ANY benefit out of it?

Answer 1

It's definitely better than nothing. And the amount you continue nursing him is the amount of milk supply you'll have. Your body will adapt to what the baby uses.

Answer 2

Any breastfeeding is better than no breasfeeding at all. It is not an 'all of nothing' situation. Many mothers alternate breastfeeding with bottle feeding for many reasons. Your milk supply will not be as high as if you were breasfeeding exclusively but if you are only breastfeeding two to three times per day, the milk supply will adjust to meet those needs and will not 'dry-up' completely.
I am a Registered Nurse and also a mother of 4. I have done the same thing with my two younger ones. I felt like the baby was constantly breastfeeding and I was not enjoying the experience as I wanted to. I alternated breast feeding and bottle feeding so that I could have some time to my self and truly enjoy the special feeling of breastfeeding when I did do it. Your baby is still getting valuable nutrition and immunity from your breast milk. good luck and hang in there

Answer 3

Breastfeeding is always good...even if it is just 2-3 times a day. As well as the nutritional benefits of breastmilk, breastfeeding is beneficial because of the bond it builds between the newborn and his or her Mother. And yes, your milk supply will be there as long as breastfeeding doesnt stop all together. Your body will adjust milk supply to be what your baby needs....later on if you start breastfeeding more often, your supply will build back up. Good for you for breastfeeding those few times a day that you are able to do right now. Any Mother knows how tiresome the first several weeks are after giving birth!

Answer 4

i did the same thing, i breastfed for the first 3 weeks and after that she had to go into the hospital (a reason unrelated to breastfeeding) and then i just put her on the formula because i was to tired and it was easyer, i still pumped about 5 times a day and would feed her what i could of that, BUT by the time she was able to come home from the hospital i was only produceing about 2 oz a breast, when before it was about 6 to 7 oz a breast..... so i think that your milk might dry up, but its hard to say because everyone is different, i heard that if you breastfeed your baby its a special bond but i was always to tired to really be able to bond with her, but im sure if i would have stuck with it then i would be able to bond with her now, as for the other, i talked to my doctor after i stoped breastfeeding and she said as long as the baby gets that first milk in the begaining maybe like the first couple days the colostrium, then everything is good and the only benefit you get is the bonding. good luck

Answer 5

Yes, your baby does benefit from the breast milk, even if you are not breast feeding him exclusively.
Your supply will fall to the level that your little one is taking, but just because you are only feeding 2-3 times a day, doesn't mean that you can't continue to feed. But do make sure the little one is also having the bottle/formula, as that's not enough on its own.
There are anti-bodies in your milk that help your little one's immune system develop, and that is a good thing. And the skin to skin contact helps establish the mother child bond. And there is the benefits to you too. The hormones released during breast feeding also help the uterus return to nearer pre-birth size.
I breast fed my first for 2 months then complimentary fed (breast/bottle) for another 3, then bottle fed only. If you can continue, its a good thing to do. However a happy, stress free Mum is of more benefit to the little one than one who dreads every feed, so if this is the case, gently wean to the bottle only.

Answer 6

You are likely to start drying up if you are only nursing 2-3x/day. Some is better than none, but benefits are proportional to dose, so if the less he gets, the less benefit he derives.

If you would like to start nursing fully again, you still have a chance to relactate by pumping, nursing more, and possibly taking herbal supplements.

It is totally understandable to be fatigued. It happens to all of us when we first deliver. However, I'll tell you from experience that it's a lot easier to just pop out a breast to feed your baby in the middle of the night (and even sleep while he's nursing) than to have to get up, mix formula, stay awake to keep the bottle in his mouth, burp him afterward (bfed babies don't need as much burping), and then deal with cleaning the bottle later on. Nursing is much more convenient.

You'll also be more tired from having to take care of a sick infant, which is more likely to occur with a formula fed baby.

Congrats and good luck.

Answer 7

Yes, your baby will get the antibodies and the fats he needs to build his brain and his body. All breastmilk is best. Formula isn't at good as breastmilk, it's just not. However, if you have to feed him formula and can also nurse him, that's better than no nursing at all. Your child will get some of the benefits. Your milk continues to give your baby benefits as long as you nurse him.

Your milk is supply and demand. The more you nurse, the more milk you will make. Even now, you can go back to just nursing him by, well, nursing him (if you want.)

I'm concerned about your support system. I'm so sorry you're so tired, but it honestly doesn't last long. My baby just turned two months and it's way better now. If you can keep nursing him, in whatever amount, it's the best thing to do.

Answer 8

Yes, a little is better than none!

Your body will only create the amount of milk that you need. Your supply will stick around as long as you use it, but don't try to nurse 10 times tomorrow because you won't be able to do it. If you increase the amount you nurse each day, you CAN produce more milk though. Just do it gradually.

Answer 9

Well I was the same way. I breast fed what seemed like all dam day. At times I would just be so tired. But I kept with it for 2 months and like you only 2 to 4 times a day and formula the other times. It is very good cause the baby gets extra nutrients and vitamins and antibodies I would stay stick with it as long as you can

Answer 10

Its most definitely better. Don't worry your milk supply will adjust. Your breasts will "remember" when its time to nurse and begin to let down as long as you are drinking plenty of fluids. Besides the antibodies your child is getting and the nutritional value your adding in that extra closeness and bonding that helps your baby to feel more secure

Answer 11

I did exactly the same. My daughter is 4 weeks old. Up until last week I was pumping 4 ounces then all of a sudden the baby wasn't laching on and I am now pumping 1 ounce. I stopped completely and now my daughter has colic. I am stuck with a crying infant and its stressful. Try to do it as long and as much as you can. Every little bit counts.