Supplementing/Combo feeding mamas

gldnbearz

I was wondering how you all were doing.

How old is LO?

How much/often is LO eating?

How much milk do you pump a day?

What formula are you using?

What bottles are you using?

Any challenges?

Any tips/words of wisdom?

gldnbearz

How old is LO? 11 weeks today (ALREADY?!?!?!)

How much/often is LO eating? 2 oz breast milk + 1-3 oz formula every 2-3 hours

How much milk do you pump a day? 11-13 oz 

What formula are you using? Enfamil for supplementing. We tried Enfamil Infant and she had lots of gas and more poopy diapers so went back. If it ain't broke...

What bottles are you using? Dr. Brown's per lactation consultant's initial recommendation and have not changed

Any challenges? I feel like I am tethered to the pump. I have an Ameda hospital grade pump with 25 mm flanges for every day use. I also have a Medela PISA with the standard 24 mm flanges and feel like they don't fit well (I'm not particularly busty). I should get off my rear and try to order the next size up flange.

Any tips/words of wisdom? Refrigerate the pump parts to wash once a day - best tip I was given

scarlet3egonias

How old is LO?
10 weeks Tuesday

How much/often is LO eating?
Pretty much every 2 hours still. We just recently started doing two 4oz bottles of formula a day. We've been doing one bottle a day since 1 month old.

How much milk do you pump a day?
I try to pump twice a day, but that usually doesn't happen.

What formula are you using?
Similac for Supplementing

What bottles are you using?
Born Free. I have some Ventaires as well but LO seems to prefer the born free.

Any challenges?
Timing pumping and feeding. I feel like every time I pump she wakes up hungry!

Any tips/words of wisdom?
Got me! I'm certainly no pro!!

scarlet3egonias

Tell me more about the refrigeration of pump parts...? I'm curious and can use all the tips I can get!!

gldnbearz

Basically instead of washing your pump parts after everybuse, put those parts into a ziptop bag and into the refrigerator. Wash in hot, soapy water once a day.

I got this tip from mommas who have gone back to work and pump. They have less down time if they don't have to wash parts every pump.

KatieOz920

How old is LO?
18 weeks now (adjusted to 8)

How much/often is LO eating?
They eat about every 3hours during the day, we've been getting at least 1 4-5 hour stretch at night

How much milk do you pump a day?
I'm down to about 6oz a day

What formula are you using?
My DD is on Neosure, we had to switch my DS to Total Comfort because he was having so many tummy issues

What bottles are you using?
Dr Browns... They've helped the gas a lot but I hate cleaning them so I'm hoping to eventually switch to the Munchkin ones I bought

Any challenges?
Getting enough pumps in to get my supply up a bit more - everytime I go to pump one of them needs something, and if they don't it's hard to relax because I feel like one of them is going to fuss at any moment.

I'd like to get them to breast more... My daughter stopped nursing all together which makes me sad

Any tips/words of wisdom?
I have like 8 pumping kits for the hospital/NICU so I just chuck them in a bin in the sink to soak and then wash them all in the dishwasher at the EOD. But before that I second keeping the parts in the fridge

Edit: autocorrect changed "pumping" into "pumpkins"

mmmaqui

Just realized this is the place for me after posting in Bottle section -- we do finish at breast method, Avent bottles, gentle ease, 8 times in 24 hrs ~80 ml combined between my low supply and the bottle, munchkin is 6 weeks and goes longest stretch at 5 hrs at night, usually 4 tho. I mostly don't pump I hate it and I'm convinced my boobs don't fit any size flange ... I suppose I'll be too lazy when returning to work to pump such low amounts

MrsAdventure

How old is LO? 8 weeks 4 days

How much/often is LO eating? At nights Pips eats between 4 and 5 ounces, and only wakes up once to feed (around 4am). During the day, she eats 2-4 ounces, every 2 to 4 hours.

How much milk do you pump a day? I pump my ass off all day/night long and was only getting a half ounce, combined. And I pump for about 45 minutes each time, if not an hour. It's very upsetting. But yesterday, I actually got a full ounce!!! I hope it continues to get better!

What formula are you using? Enfamil Newborn

What bottles are you using? Avent Naturals

Any challenges? Producing a ridiculously small amount. I hate taking so much time away from Pips when it doesn't feel like it's worth it. I know any BM is good for her, but an hour a day, 4 or 5 times a day, for a half ounce seems like a waste of time. Also, I have angry nipples.

Any tips/words of wisdom? Nope but I'm gonna start refridgerating my parts like other have suggested.

Edit: troubles spacing the questions

KatieOz920

@MrsAdventure‌ I hope you don't mind me saying, but I think you pumping so so long long might be part of the problem- logic says it should be the opposite but the LC told me pumping more than 20min or so can actually make you produce less because it can damage your nipples and cause your ducts to swell she said that you're better off doing shorter sessions more frequently (between 10-15min).

MrsAdventure

@runnershan & @KatieOz920‌

I have seen an LC as well. I used to only pump for a short time, but let down takes forever for me. I only pump until no milk comes out as well. I also do not have the luxurary of pumping more often. I care for my grandmother and she is extremely combative towards DH. I can really only pump when she naps. Unfortunately, when I pump for shorter times, I get no more than a half ounce a day sadly.

MrsAdventure

@runnershan‌

I have lactation cookie mix on order from Amazon, wont be here until the middle of next week, but fingers cross that they help. I'm going to looking into fenugreek tonight (while i pump and bump, lol). I appriciate the tips! Also, it was suggested by someone on the board that eating oatmeal helps so I eat that for breakfast, and as my starch at dinner time, lol. "What's for dinner honey?" ... "Well, for me it's steak, asparagus and apple cinnamon oatmeal... Mmm, what a combo!" Lol.
On the bright side, two days in a row (last night and tonight) I have pumped a full ounce!! Maybe it's finally paying off!

moroccojade

Dd is 7w1d

She eats every 1.5-4 hours

I don't pump. Although I should.

We use Enfamil A+. But she seems to hate it this week. She makes faces and spits it out sometimes. Trying Similac. Reactions to that are mixed. Might try Earths Best Organic.

She gets her supplement while I nurse via a Medela SNS. Love that thing!! If it's not convenient to use the tubes or if DH is feeding her we use cheap Gerber bottles. They are only ones she will tolerate. And she prefers the ugly latex nipples.

Challenges? She seems to hate the taste of formula.

Advice? If anyone has a really low supply is finding it arduous to always feed "twice" (ie, boob first then bottle) consider the SNS. It is all taken at the breast at the same time.

gldnbearz

@MrsAdventure‌ - if you're an Amazon shopper, try looking at Nature's Way Fenugreek, among other brands. I've got mine on subscribe and save.

soulcupcake

How old is LO? 6w2d

How much/often is LO eating? A lot. It varies. She nurses to eat and for comfort. When I give her bottles of either breast milk or formula it's 3 oz. She gets about 8 oz of formula, and 4-6 oz of pumped milk on top of nursing.

How much milk do you pump a day? Since I'm only pumping to help increase supply (in conjunction with lactation cookies) only 2-3x a day getting about 2 oz a session (I only pump from my left).

What formula are you using? Similac for Supplementation. But I'm actually considering going the homemade route. (yes, it is something some parents prefer over processed/commercial formula. From Weston A. Price Foundation)

What bottles are you using? Comotomo. Love it!

Any challenges? Just continuing to build a full supply.

cbooker8912

How old is LO? 7w 3d
How much/often is LO eating? I actually don't know how much she eats.. Is that bad? While I'm home, she's ebf on demand.. And gets bottles when we're out and about.

How much milk do you pump a day?2 oz/session.. Definitely at least once a day, shooting for 3!

What formula are you using? Similac for Supplementation

What bottles are you using? Playtex Drop ins.. Love them, and they bend!

Any challenges?She feeds for food and comfort, so getting anything done is hard but, since she was premie sized, and only 9 days early, the extra cuddle lovin is nice. Also trying to build a steady supply

Any tips/words of wisdom? I eat oatmeal with peacans for breakfast everyday, and drink a lot of water.. Didn't realize the heat in the house dried me out so much!!

*Edit: cause spelling sux on mobile!*

bmoonstar

Thanks @AmyG*, I needed that

shay611

How old is LO? 9 weeks

How much/often is LO eating? ~3-4 oz of either BM/formula per feed approx every 2-3 hours, and then usually 1 5oz bottle of formula for bedtime feeding.

How much milk do you pump a day? varies - i've been bf'ing more, but minimum of 2oz/day all the way up to 12oz a day if i exclusively pump that day.

What formula are you using? Enfamil for Supplementing

What bottles are you using? we alternate between Dr Browns and Playtex Drop ins.

Any challenges? Getting on a decent pumping/feeding schedule. Keeping baby awake when nursing

Any tips/words of wisdom? Ha, not really. I found that brewer's yeast greatly increased my supply along with fenugreek. 

Stephaniegiboney

How old is LO? 3 months, 3 days

How much/often is LO eating? This girl is a grazer! Feedings are unpredictable...anywhere from 1-5oz...and can come every hour to every 3. But three hours is the max.

How much milk do you pump a day? If I'm only pumping, 10-12 oz, if breastfeeding it'll be a little less.

What formula are you using?
Similac Advance

What bottles are you using?
Dr. Brown's

Any challenges? Still struggling with some guilt. Also never know how much to give in the bottle because she eats at such strange intervals!

Any tips/words of wisdom?
I'm just taking this one month at a time at this point, and trying to feel proud about the breastmilk I've been able to provide so far. And feeling excited because starting solids isn't too far off!

MrsAdventure

runnershan said:

Thanks for that @AmyG*. I really needed to hear that too. I always feel like I failed a little when LO gets 10oz of formula in a day. I don't know why it's that number but if she gets 10+oz in a day it makes me sad. It's hard when you want so badly to make enough to EBF but your body just doesn't cooperate. But I try to tell myself it's more important for my baby to be fed and thrive instead of my need to EBF.

I totally agree. I had a big complex about this. I have always been pretty damn proud of my tatas. They've been good to me. And I somehow thought that because I have large boobs, that EBF would be easy. I am completely aware that size has absolutely nothing to do with it, but I guess I just assumed my boobs had never failed me before (or at least my cleavage has helped me out a few times, lol) so why would BF be an issue. When I was still trying to BF, it was a very humbling experience to say the least.

Edit: to bold

gldnbearz

@shay611‌ - how are you taking the brewers yeast?

@Stephaniegiboney‌ @shay611‌
I EP only and get 10-12 oz a day. Good to know I'm in good company.

As far as the guilt associated with not ebf, yup, still feeling that the body failed. After IF, failed IUIs, and early losses, this is just another failure in my mind. I have to remind myself every day that LO gets 1/3 to 1/2 of her intake as breast milk.

shay611

@gldnbearz‌ - I usually try to just sprinkle a bit into either juice or yogurt. I haven't been doing a lot of it as I was afraid it would taste bad if I used too much. Just once or twice a day!

mamaluzi

How old is LO? 6.5 weeks tomorrow

How much/often is LO eating? Every 2-3 hours during the day, one 4-6hr stretch at night (though last night it was more like her usual daytime 2-3....dang 6 week spurt!). We used to supplement 2oz of formula 5-6 feeds a day, and then give her a full bottle of 3oz during an early morning feed (DH's job), but since my LC told me I was wearing nipple shields and using phlanges that were too small, now we're down to just 1-2 supplements a day in the evening/at bedtime and a pumped bottle in the AM

How much milk do you pump a day? I try to pump 2-3 times per day, definitely at least once in the AM when my supply is highest

What formula are you using? Similac Sensitive

What bottles are you using? Avent Naturals, Playtex Ventaire and Medela with slow flow nipples

Any challenges? Weaning from the shield...don't know where to start

Any tips/words of wisdom? Make sure everything you need is sized correctly....I thought I had low supply but was just wearing/using the wrong sizes!

ExcitedKJ

How old is LO? 8 weeks

How much/often is LO eating? BF on demand about every 2.5 hours and 8-10 oz per day formula

How much milk do you pump a day? 0 now tried in the beginning and I never got more than 2 oz a DAY and ended up with bruises and deep pain from it

What formula are you using? SImilac

What bottles are you using? Avent and Medela

Any challenges? Guilt about one more thing my body couldn't do right

Any tips/words of wisdom? If there's even suspicion about lip/tongue tie get an expert to check. I listened to the ped and the info was wrong. Now the ties are fixed and BFing is SOOO much better.