Messing up supply?

imrachellea

LO is going through her 3 week growth spurt. I hope she finishes soon because I feel like this is day 3 and they're normally 24-48 hrs...anyway. My family is in town, including my two brothers I haven't seen in over a year. If I EBF while they're here, I will literally never see them. So I'm BFing every 3 hours and supplementing in between with formula. Is this going to mess up my supply? I know this time is supposed to establish how much LO needs, I just can't feed only at the boob right now...just hoping this doesn't screw over my ability to EBF or close to it in the future...

Mrbatesisinnocent

I've read not to supplement while going through a growth spurt because baby is getting your body in gear to produce enough for their needs after the growth spurt ends. I'm no expert though. @AmyG* should be able to help with this question though or someone more knowledgable than me.

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imrachellea

I could use a cover, but we're already struggling with BFing as is I have to use a shield because I have flat nipples and she won't latch without it right now since she's so young in nursing and still learning. Plus she always has her hands at her face and constantly knocks the shield off. Tomorrow I may try to use the cover and just make them deal. I think they have plans to do stuff around town so it could be easier tomorrow...BFing has already been way more than a challenge than I anticipated so I'm just trying to stick with it and not give up.

imrachellea

Thanks so much for the encouragement @hercules03 I really really do want it to work, I know in the long run it will be so much easier and really love all the health boosts it gives her. I talked with my family and they've got plans for all day aside from early evening when we'll be going out for dinner so basically, I will spend the day with my shirt off, baby attached, on the couch, with the new DVD series my brother just gave me for Christmas. Mama with a mission...

cammyisagirlsname

Great advice @Hercules03!

And, I totally understand OP. I don't like nursing in front of my brother. I'm just not comfortable. He's over here visiting 5 (sometimes 6) times a week and LO eats often, so I often find myself just going in a different room. I need to get a nursing cover.

hjweber

hercules03 said:

It does get easier. I promise. Bf-ing is a million times harder initially but that only lasts 4-6 weeks tops and then it is cake. Even as a mom who has done this many of times, there is always that 3am nagging voice that says "give up" and you have to push it aside. Nips are sore, boobs can't decide whether or not to be engorged, baby is nursing hourly.... Agh!!! But in a month, I'll be so glad I pushed though. Boobs mellow out, baby learns how to latch and doesn't need to eat every three seconds! It is wonderful. And when the time comes to wean, your boobs go back to normal, like nothing ever happened. I've never lost a cup size or elasticity due to nursing. Even the oversized nipples go back to normal. A woman's body is amazing. Hang in there. You got this!!

Profound!  

imrachellea

Yeah @jenniferbromley my brother got really uncomfortable when he asked what was sitting on the stool and I told him it was a breast pump...no way either of us would be comfy with me nursing! Not even remotely comfortable bare BFing in front if him, or anyone aside from DH and my friend who was in L&D with me...

sportsmomma

With my first I his in rooms or pumped before seeing family so he could take a bottle. This time I just announce that I'll be feeding DD and where and let other decide if they want to stick around and look away for a few seconds/minutes (we're having latch issues so it sorta depends) because once she's on it's really no more skin than I have showing in a swimsuit when we go boating. It's very liberating to just focus on feeding my baby and let others decide for themselves what they are comfortable with. I know it's tough but like Pp said they may surprise you. My bro and dad were wayyyy cooler with this new arrangement that I planned.