When to supplement?

Sgriff1

So my milk supply is beginning to decrease with this pregnancy.

Previously I pumped 15-20 oz while at work (8 hrs). My MIL has always had a hard time "only" feeding DD 5 oz bottles and I've struggled constantly with her over feeding DD. She burned through my freezer supply without me knowing the last few months and now I'm worried if DD is getting enough milk now that my supply is dropping.

She nurses in the morning (and a night! Ugh!) and then has 3 bottles while I'm at work and nurses before bed. Right now she's getting about 10-12 oz's in her bottles instead of her normal 15. She eats a lot of solid foods though and is a great eater.

When I asked my doctor what to do if my milk started decreasing, he pretty much just brushed it off and said we can talk at my next appt if necessary, which is not for another 2 weeks.

My question is should I start supplementing formula at this age for the few ounces she's not getting now, or have my MIL give more solids instead? I've been seriously fighting the last few weeks to try to make it a couple more months until a year, but having a really hard time. On top of being incredibly sick and my milk decreasing...my nips have literally been sucked raw again! :-S This breastfeeding while pregnant thing is no joke!

unaveragejane

First, hugs! Second, how old is you LO?

TJ1979

How old is she? At 10 m my supply went down and I decided from then on to give what I pumped. No more, no less. And she was eating plenty of solids. I kept BFing whike at home until she was 17m and I was 6m pg. I never supplemented.

(I had low supply due to PCOS.)

Sgriff1

@unaveragejane‌ she's 10 months this week.

I didn't think that this could be just a normal decrease in supply instead of pregnancy related, which would be a relief. Just worried that the 10-12 oz in 8 hrs isn't enough for her?

bumpuser9353653

It's been a while since I had a 10 month old, but I'm pretty sure at that point, my LO was eating a lot more solids and taking less milk.

12oz seems normal in an 8hr span, especially if the there's a solid meal mixed in for lunch. I think at that point, my LO was nursing in the morning, at night, and whatever I pumped during the day. Plus three solids food offerings a day.

As long as she doesn't seem frustrated, is eating well, and growing, I don't think you need to worry. If your pediatrician was worried about her not getting enough, I'm sure he would not have told you to wait a few weeks. Hang tough and just rely on your daughter for cues. :-)

Nikkipal82

12 oz may be a lot for 8hrs. I think the general rule is about an ounce for every hour you are gone. Maybe see if MIL is overfeeding or if she can try paced feeding? Or more solids? This sounds stressful, good luck to you!

Babysaunders

My son is almost 9 months and we ate doing exactly what you are. We are no where close to needing to supplement. If LO isn't acting like she's starving, just keep going with the flow. You can also offer a sippy of water. We do nursing in the am, night and 11-12 oz at daycare + 3 meals of solids.

Sgriff1

Whew this is a relief to hear! She eats 3 solid meals a day and lots of snacks. She seems just fine on the weekends, and doesn't ask to nurse very often. She also gets water in a sippy too. I will keep on going with what were doing, thanks for your help!