Supplementing advice

firemansflame

This may be a long one so bear with me. I’m thinking of supplementing but I’m struggling with the decision. I was able to EBF DS1. He never had formula and I was able to nurse him for 15 months. I was really hoping to do the same with DS2 but we have been dealt a different set of experiences / circumstances this go around. So my little guy is very small. He was a month early and got very sick over the holidays and lost nearly a pound. At 5 months old he only weighs 11lbs 6 oz (born at 6lb 2 oz). Right after he was sick I was sick and the combo of that really took its toll on my milk supply. Prior to all of this he would go anywhere from 5-8 hours overnight without eating. Because of his illness / weight loss we have had to take him in for weekly weight checks. His last weight check he didn’t gain anything and is very fussy at the breast. He is also up every 2 hrs at night to eat because I just don’t think he is getting much milk. When I pump at work I’m getting about half of what I normally did (and about half of what I have to send to daycare – and my freezer stash is dwindling). I’ve been eating lactation cookies, taking fenugreek and drinking lots of water and mother’s milk tea and I’m still not keeping up. I feel like for everyone to be happy possibly supplementing might be something we should consider. I was thinking that I might give him a bottle of formula right before bed since I’ve heard sometimes formula keeps them satisfied a bit longer than breast milk. I could then pump after putting him to bed. Hopefully this would make up the difference of what I need to send with him to daycare during the day so that the only time he gets formula is right before bed. What does this plan sound like to you all? I am kind of intimidated by making this decision but I’m going on two weeks of a hungry baby and my nips are so sore and I’m exhausted. I just want my satisfied happy baby back!

Thoughts ladies?

alijeff2313

I have struggled with low supply since my LO was born. Shes 4 1/2 months. We supplemented from the beginning. Then after 2 months I was able to get away from the formula and EBF. At her 4 month appointment she didn't gain very much weight. Because of this, I had to go back to supplementing. She eats 18 oz while I'm at work. I am lucky if I pump 7 at work. I have tried everything for more milk, but nothing works.

Here is what I do. I have not given up breast feeding. I pump before I leave for work, while LO is still sleeping. I pump 3 times at work. I nurse her when I get home. It is her small feeding of the day. I give her a bottle before bed because it is easier. I have found, as research has said, I produce a much smaller amount of milk later in the day. I then pump after she goes down. With this I get about 14 oz. She gets 2 bottles of breast milk and one of formula while I'm gone. On the weekends I nurse her till she is done on the breast then I will give her a bottle of formula. I pump after every feeding at home just to make sure she got everything out.

It was really hard for me to come to this schedule. I did not want to stop EBF, but I finally realized it was the BEST thing for baby. She is still getting breast milk, and some is better than none!

firemansflame

This is all very helpful - thanks so much all

Carnation77

I also supplement because I can't seem to pump enough at work.  I fit in extra pumping sessions in the morning and after he goes to sleep, and just use formula to make up whatever extra milk I need for daycare that I didn't pump the day before.  I personally don't offer any formula when I'm home with him and except when he's going through these "leaps" and growth spurts my LO STTN so I'm not sure if the whole formula before bed thing is a myth.

opheliainwaders

When we had to supplement at the beginning, we did it by starting with a weighed feeding, and then nursing BEFORE supplementing, and only supplementing the amount of formula that made up the difference between what she was taking in and (since she was tiny) 2oz.

I definitely second PP who said not to give up the nursing session in favor of the pump - instead, I'd talk to an LC, and if you do wind up supplementing due to the weight gain issues, keep that nursing session, and follow it up with a bottle, and THEN pump a couple of hours later, before you go to bed.

mrsblueeyes

Supplementing here because the amount I pump can't even cover half of what he eats.  In addition his weight percentiles have been trending down, and between his 2 month appointment and 3 month weight check he dropped 2 lines on the growth curve.  I've been continuing to nurse first and then offering a 2-3 ounce bottle after each feed.  I also added in a feeding session before I go to bed.  I also continue to nurse and feed on demand.

Good luck and I'm a little surprised the pediatrician hasn't suggested supplementing earlier, especially with his low weight and poor gain.