Pumping vs formula (LONG)

andthatmakes4

Hi everyone,

My son came home on Sunday from a 30 day NICU stay. During that time, he was on milk I had pumped for all of it but the first couple of days. After one night of formula feeds, the dr told me that he threw up the formula and I needed to do all I could for breastmilk. No pressure!! I was taking domperidone that i had from a previous pregnancy but i ran out. More is on the way but takes a while to ship from Canada. My supply started dwindling the last week he was there and now that he is home he is about half and half between breastmilk and formula. The formula doesnt seem to be causing any problems although he seems to eat a bit more of the milk. He's still a small guy at 4.5 lbs. But today my supply has completely tanked. I've pumped 30ml all day on my hospital grade pump. Any input on whether to quit on the pumping and go exclusive formula or should I try to stick it out to see if it comes back.

I would love to be able to provide this for him but its so hard and I have a 2 year old at home with me. Sorry for rambling. I don't want to make the wrong decision and just need some reassurance that he is going to be okay either way.

Thanks so much!!

LaciJaxx

Agreed. Don't get me wrong, breastmilk is best. But there are many, many babies that grow up fine on formula alone. All you can do is try and if its not working out, switch to formula. I've been pumping since day 1 and have just recently started mixing in a small amount of neosure formula to start switching him over. I have a pretty large stash built up so I plan to mix for a few months more. I'm starting to wean myself from the pumping. Good luck!!

Brummy14

You do what makes sense for you and your LO. Pumping for preemies is seriously the most stressful thing. Ever. As if the whole BF thing weren't stressful enough. 

My girls have burned through my freezer stash, so just yesterday we started moving to a 1/3 formula and 2/3BM ratio of bottles (they refuse to take the formula straight). I know the Neosure is great for them to help these guys continue to gain weight -- they're still teeny tiny! That, and we've been adding Neosure to the BM from Day 1 to up the calories of it, anyway. 

In short - you're feeding your baby. Formula or BM, what's important is that your LO is healthy and growing!

staceymack

Do what works best for you and your family. It is a total mind game when it comes to BM and formula. I'll spare you the long details, but I have had a hard time producing as well to provide for my twins. They have always received formula in some amount. Now that they eat a lot and I produce so little it's mostly formula they receive. Either way, our babies are going to be ok! They are getting hydration and nutrition either way! 

bennyandthejets13

I agree with PP do what's best for you. DS has been on formula in some amount since he was born too. It took me forever for my milk to come in and even with the hospital grade pump I'd barely get a ounce or two per pumping session. At first the ounce or two was enough to feed him since he wasn't eating that much but once he started growing I just couldn't keep up. For a while I would try to breastfeed but he wasn't getting full and then give him a bottle and pump after all that was done. When he was eating every 3 hours I'd be lucky to have a whole hour before I started the madness all over again. I could handle all that the first couple of weeks because I think I was running off adrenaline and was just trying to do the best for my baby. After weeks 4 it started taking a huge toll on my sanity and just couldn't do it anymore. After 6 weeks I waived the white flag and said enough is enough and started slowly switching him to formula only. I felt really quilt at first but now 4 months later it was the best thing I did. DS is growing like a weed and is happy and healthy now. Do what's best for you and your family there is no right or wrong, all that matters is mom and baby are happy.

jbranden12

Wow, I can't imagine trying to pump and feed baby while also caring for a two year old! Great job! Does your son show interest in the breast at all? This kind of affects my advice. If there is hope he will move to the breast eventually, I would continue to pump as often as possible to keep your supply up. If he gets the hang of it, I would breastfeed then supplement with formula if needed, but not bother pumping. Whatever he gets from the breast will be great no matter how much!

OMGTree

I wrote about my experience not to long on here. I had a meltdown because my supply pretty much gave out and I was pumping around the clock and couldn't take anymore. All the nurses saw how upset and frustrated I was and they even told me, "your baby will be fine on formula" I also received some amazing support from these ladies. Like pp said if baby will move to breast I would do that. My baby is starting to learn to latch and that has made my milk supply start to come back. What was trickles is now starting to become a little stream on one side just from here trying to feed on that side. If you try everything and it just isn't working, it's ok. Your beautiful babe will be just fine on formula.

ComfortablyNumb

New to the preemie board, but much agree with the other posters. Do not stress your self out, either way, LO will be just fine.  Pumping for a preemie has to be the most stressfull thing.  You are dealing with a mountian of hormones right now, so take it day by day. Formula is just fine.

My LO was born at 34 weeks at 3 lbs.  Spent 6 weeks in the NICU, where I pumped exclusively for her.  By the time she got home, my supply tanked so we had to start formula.  I felt guilty for about a minute, because the most important thing to me was that she ate and was gaining a healthy weight.  The little rockstar is 14 months, 16 lbs and going strong!  I really couldn't have pictured this time 14 months ago...it's goes by so quick.

Best of luck to you and your LO!

chicagobride_07

For a variety of reasons, my LO has never had breast milk. She's been EFF since her time in the NICU. She is now 4 months and doing great. Best of luck to you!