Supplementing Help

MrsChrz09

Now that LO is in daycare and I am back to work I feel like my supply is dipping. I have been pumping at work every 3 hours and am going to try and do it every 2 hours now. Daycare is giving her 4 4oz bottles while she is there (9-5:30). I'm not sure I can keep up. I am thinking of starting some formula bottles during the day (maybe 1 to start) and breastfeeding in the AM/PM and sending some breastmilk bottles. Any suggestions on either how to up my supply or how you supplemented would be very helpful!

 

MrsChrz09

That's the crazy thing sometimes it is 3 oz sometimes it is 1 1/2 oz. Is it better to add more sessions or make them longer?

alijeff2313

I have the same problem. I went back to work a month ago. My daughter gets 3 5 oz bottles while I'm gone, shes 4 1/2 months old. I pump before I leave for work, 3 times at work and after LO goes to bed. I get about 12 oz total all day. It doesn't matter how long I pump, how often I pump nothing ups it. I take fenugreek daily, eat oatmeal every morning. I've tried everything...it just wont pick up. So I started supplementing after I just about depleted my freezer stash. She gets one bottle of formula while I'm at work. It is usually the second bottle of the day. I don't know if the timing of it really matters, but she doesn't mind it. Most importantly she is happy and healthy. Good luck!!

MrsChrz09

I would also question if your LO really needs 16 ounces in 8 hours, or if daycare is overfeeding your LO. Have you tried 3 ounce bottles? Are they doing paced bottle feeding?

I agree with this. Although she just started daycare so I'm going to see how the week goes. At home she would normally do 3 bottles during the day if we were bottle feeding.

CNYBride05

theresat858 said:

I would also question if your LO really needs 16 ounces in 8 hours, or if daycare is overfeeding your LO. Have you tried 3 ounce bottles? Are they doing paced bottle feeding?

That's pretty average - 2oz every 2 hrs? That's less than what my girls take

MrsChrz09

This is our first week at this daycare (my mom had her for 2 weeks while she was off). I'm going to see how it goes, but I think it is combo overfeed and just the DCP and LO figuring each other out.

Carnation77

I think you've had some great suggestions.  Hopefully you can increase your supply, or figure out if LO is being overfed.  I never could get my supply up enough and have been supplementing since the second week he was at DC.  I send 1-2 bottles of formula a day (sometimes a bottle is half formula/half BM just depending on what I pumped the day before).  I also do extra pumping sessions at night and in the morning.  LO really doesn't seem to mind formula at all and it hasn't caused any problems with our nursing.  I'm a little sad he couldn't be EBF but overall he seems healthy and happy and I guess that's all that matters.  I wish you luck!

MrsChrz09

Thanks ladies! I talked to our pediatrician and she said 3 4oz bottles during that 8 hours is enough. DH talked to DCP this morning and she is going to try and go with the 3 bottles unless LO spits up a whole bottle or has some super crazy diaper. I knew it was to much when the last bottle she had at daycare was 3:30 and she wasn't hungry till about 7:30 last night. Thanks for the help! I'm sure I'll have more questions!