Your take on exclusive Breastfeeding.

Can you believe it...this time last year I was at the end of my tither with ttc and having fertility treatment and always posting on here, then I get preggers and had a rough pregnancy with major overstimulation of the ovaries and now my little Isobella Grace is 13wks today....gosh how time really flys.  Question is I am (bravely) exclusively bf'ding Isobella but thought I would try and give a breastmilk bottle one feed every few days...(please no judgements here). I really dont mind that she really doesnt like the bottle but I know in the coming months I will need to be absent just 1 feed for a couple times and thought introducing the bottle slowly so it isnt all too new. So am I still exclusively breastfeeding if I give a breastmilk bottle 1 time every few days?  I hope you are all doing well and those ttc hang in there.  I have a pic of us now for you all to see my little miracle!  ""baby dust to all""

[ImmortalOne]

It's nice when Daddy or siblings can help with feedings (or if you want to go out for a nice dinner or something!) and when you are giving this bottle, you are giving her the best food she can get.  I don't think there is anything wrong with this!  Personally I'm battling a sleepy baby that would rather sleep than feed (sometimes 8 hour stretches!).  I envy that you have done it this long!  

[Trudy80]

I have been reading your updates and great news...CONGRATs btw!  Isobella was similar in hospital and you used the right word...battling! lol but from one mummy to the next try and wake her somehow (I know it is hard from personal experience) but do it anyways cos they can become dehydrated.  If I was told how challenging bf'ding was I seriously wouldnt have bothered...my gosh it was a struggle for me...I had bleeding nipples, a sleepy bub then the next extreme...wanting to feed all the time bub! But I am so happy I too have do it this long as I can definately appreciate and understand how someone would give it up...as if just having to care for this new person isnt hard enough at times...add the stuggle of bf'ding to the mix and BAM down mummy goes! lol.  As I have just been where you are at I stress "go rest" as often as you can! Thanks for the reply, gives me a buz to think someone cares enough about what I say and ask that they reply. xo Trudy

[cutiemama]

Congrats on BFing so long. Why would anyone judge for wanting to give a bottle of breastmilk? As long as baby's getting the milk, it doesn't matter if it's straight from the boob or from a bottle!

Btw, even if you said you wanted to give one bottle of formula a day, no one would/should judge that either. We do what is best for our babies but sometimes what's best for our babies is what's best for mom. Good luck.

[AnnieBrooke]

You're still breastfeeding exclusively if the milk is breastmilk.  The word 'exclusively' usually is used to mean the milk, not the delivery system.  :)