Introducing formula help

88sharonlee

Hi so I thought id post this here since I'm sure other working moms have gone through this.

I EBF, LO is 3.5 months and this is my second week back at work.
In an ideal world I would pump enough at work each week to provide bottles for LO the next week at daycare. Thanks to my freezer stash I drop off BM for the whole week on Monday at DC then pump at work for the following week.

So here is my issue. Pumping at work is difficult due to time constraints. In order to save my sanity, feel good about my work and still get home at a reasonable hour to spend time with LO I'm considering dropping down to one pumping session per day.

This would possibly mean that I'd provide enough BM for half of LOs bottles at daycare.

Sooooo, what's the best way to start supplementing with formula? Should bottles be mixed or should I do one full BM the next full formula? Should we do 2 BM bottles then switch to formula in the afternoon?

I'm hoping to be able to nurse when I'm with her for a while and hoping to be able to provide some pumped BM for daycare for a few more months.

Looking for advice and stories of your experiences- thanks!

Tink112011

Pumping at work can be very stressful, and I completely to your situation!

I recommend just TRYING to see if your LO would take a bottle of straight formula.  Some babies care, others don't.  My DS made a face, like he recongized it was different, but it didn't stop him from drinking it.

If you have to mix BM and formula, then you risk having to dump out and waste BM if your LO doesn't drink the full bottle.  Ideally you can offer straight BM first and "top off" with formula once the BM is gone.

The order shouldn't matter, but if your LO is hungrier in the morning, then offer BM then to better bet it all gets drank. 

88sharonlee

Thank you. That makes sense to first try and see if straight formula is even an option! She's had formua before, just a few times a while back, and had no issue so hopefully she won't be picky now!

Pumping at work is hard! Some days I can fit in two sessions no problem, other days gettin in one is tough.

I don't want to give up too easily but I know there will be days I'll be out at meetings for hours and am nervous if I am used to pumping every four hours and I have to go 6+ I'll be so uncomfortable or spring a leak at a bad time!

ss265

If you sign up on the big three formula websites, they should send you free samples. That way you can try different brands of formula to see if there is one that LO prefers.

88sharonlee

Thanks I appreciate the advice, as much as I'd love to just 'make it a priority' I think some supplementation will be inevitable.
My LO is a hungry girl and somedays even 2 pumping sessions isn't enough.

I'll try to keep going as long as I can, but doing a good job at work is also a high priority for me so at some point I have to find the right balance for me.

ss265

88sharonlee said:

Thanks I appreciate the advice, as much as I'd love to just 'make it a priority' I think some supplementation will be inevitable. My LO is a hungry girl and somedays even 2 pumping sessions isn't enough. I'll try to keep going as long as I can, but doing a good job at work is also a high priority for me so at some point I have to find the right balance for me.

I agree with PP that 1 pumping session isn't enough. I pumped 3 times a day when I was at work but I also had a laptop and could continue working while I pump. If that is not an option for you and you have to stop working to pump, then I can understand why you can't fit in that many sessions.

Have you considered pumping at night after LO sleeps? Or pumping during your commute to work?

Ultimately you have to do what is right for you and your family. If that means that you have to supplement then so be it. Formula is not poison.

I agree with PP to try straight formula first and then if needed, mix the formula when you first introduce it. FWIW, DS only liked the Gerber Goodstart formula and my pedi recommended it as well. That particular formula is not available at Costco or Sam's though so it is more difficult to buy in bulk.

ss265

88sharonlee said:

Thank you. That makes sense to first try and see if straight formula is even an option! She's had formua before, just a few times a while back, and had no issue so hopefully she won't be picky now! Pumping at work is hard! Some days I can fit in two sessions no problem, other days gettin in one is tough. I don't want to give up too easily but I know there will be days I'll be out at meetings for hours and am nervous if I am used to pumping every four hours and I have to go 6+ I'll be so uncomfortable or spring a leak at a bad time!

Can you tell the person running the meeting that you have to step out for 30 minutes to pump? Sometimes when I had day long training sessions at work, I would just tell the trainer that I was nursing a young child and needed to step out to pump and they were always understanding.

And I wore nursing pads every single day when I was pumping to avoid leaks.

88sharonlee

I appreciate the continued advice. Luckily this week has been pretty smooth and I'm getting my sessions in! I will also add that I feel very lucky with my supply that I can typically get up to 10 oz. in each session- which is why 2 sessions (17-20 oz) was my goal.

To. Answer those that have asked about pumping breaks during commute or long meetings, sadly this is not realistic

. And in the design world my office is open concept! So no working while pumping!

I commute by train and subway, very crowded most of the time.

My long meetings I'm referring to are out of the office site visits to clients and construction sites so......

Also I don't want to be lugging pumps and milk all over the place!

Hope that helps explain where I'm coming from but happily this week I'm staying on track!

emberlee3

When I pumped for DS, the first few weeks were the hardest. Then I got into a routine, and it didn't seem so daunting. We did supplement a bit after 8 months, but I pumped until he was a year old.

For DD I had to switch to formula due to GI issues at 5 months. I was sad at first, but actually FF was great. She always preferred bottles from me. We still co slept and fed on demand. I was not stressed at work. It really worked out well. Good luck with whatever you do!

Curls218

I think PP have suggested this, but I pump at night about 2-3 hours after my last nursing session.  DS sttn for the most part so I know I won't be feeding him for a long time after he goes down.