Formula

funkychicken789

well, it's 3 am and baby hasn't had a solid sleep since 5. My baby is 3 weeks old, and for the last 2 weeks, I have been breast feeding from one breast, and pumping and bottle feeding from the other due to a super damaged nipple from a bad latch. Things have been going well with it, and we had gotten down to a good schedule. Except for tonight, I pumped my one breast and got less than an ounce, and the baby wasn't pulling anything while on the other breast. I keep trying to pump, but nothing substantial, even when pumping the breast she normally feeds from. Basically, I'm empty. I had some formula samples, and I ended up giving the formula after what I could get from the breasts. On one hand I'm relieved that baby went into an almost instant food coma, finally having a full belly, and we can both sleep (after this post), but also feel like my body is failing us! Dad's back to work, and school for his MBA so I'm trying to let him sleep, and just needed to vent/process the night. As it's been a hard one, even though I am sure there are others dealing with the same, or worse! Has anyone else experienced such a drastic drop in production? I feel like it happened so quickly, where just the other day I had a super pump where I got an extra feeding from just one side. Thanks for listening to my rant!

ldmw

I've been dealing with low supply since my LO was born 3 weeks ago. I started out nursing then supplementing and then pumping at every feeding. For the past week I've just been pumping and feeding my milk plus formula via bottle. If you want to continue feeding Breastmilk, keep pumping. I've seen decreases and increases in my supply throughout every day.

ladyteach0505

Yep.  Right now I am doing a breast milk, formula, breast milk, formula routine because my supply is just about gone on the right breast and so so on the left.  I hate breast feeding. I don't understand the people who find it to be a magical experience...

scootersgirl66

I gave up breastfeeding yesterday (one week since birth). Too much trying to keep up with three other kids under age 5. My rt breast was hard and lumpy and never gave more than 1/2 oz while the other would sometimes pump 1 1/2 oz. I didn't feel anymore bonded than when I give my baby a bottle and everyone who has visited says she seems better on formula. I'm way less stressed and it's working better than BF for us. But she still eats every two hours!

seamama525

The first week I had a good supply but my baby was just weighed yesterday at her two week appointment and didn't gain any weight this week. We are starting to supplement with some formula at least one feeding a day.

I never planned on giving my baby formula but when I had to have surgery unexpectedly last week my husband had to give her formula. Now I don't feel as bad because I know she will still breast-feed. At first I really felt I had let her down but I've come to terms with it. I'd rather have her be happy and full.

jmorneau09

I too have dealt with this my little guy has been a fantastic latcher however he likes to rake on my boobs and damaged my nipple. It seriously kinda hangs there like he ripped it away from the rest of my boob. From then on my supply in both boobs has drastically died down. Despite my efforts and visits with the lactation consultant things just were not looking up so as of two days ago we are solely formula. I just couldn't do it any longer. Its not what I wanted originally but the it's the reality. I also, like others have said, never did have that magical, time stand still experience with my guy that people talk about experiencing while breastfeeding. Anyway these first few weeks can be trying and it's nice to have a place to vent and hear that others are going through similar frustrations and experiences. Good luck ladies!

SmrBrd2012

@jmorneau09

Your experience sounds a lot like mine. My guy latches well but something is just off. My nipples become so sore and the first week they bled and cracked a lot. Ive seen 3 LCs and they all say his latch is fine and that he may have a mild lip/tongue tie. Not sure if its worth altering at this point with my low supply. I've been trying so hard to keep up with pumping but my supply seems to be dwindling and we've had to supplement with formula since day 4 or 5. I really wanted to enjoy bfing and I'm still getting pretty teary when we give him formula. In the grand scheme of things I know it doesn't matter but I'm just really sad about it. The stigma against formula does not help. Sigh.

BYZ

I've heard that eating really good, and having ur meals on time gives it a boost. I've also heard from my sis n law that there are natural supplements for increasing breast milk.... Hope that helps

Yolypujals

I breastfeed both of my daughters & now with my third one I'm having a hard time. I totally understand how you ladies are feeling I feel the same way . I almost gave up and my daughter is only 9days old been supplementing since birth with formula due to low supply now is been better since I been pumping as well every time I give her a bottle. However my nipples are completely destroyed & they hurt so much plus she gets confused & gives me a hard time to latch to breast after feeding from a bottle but I feel determine to only breastfeed ..good luck & don't give up this is the natural way our bodies are made for this .Eventually the milk will come back just be patient

jmorneau09

@SmrBrd2012
yes there does seem to be a stigma around not breastfeeding but at the same time you have to do what is right for you and your LO. With my first I was stubborn and refused to give up.....this ended with formula and a baby that had lost WAY too much weight. Don't let others judgements deter you from doing what baby needs. It sounds like you still have a little bit of supply so be proud that you are making th he effort to pump any breast milk for your sweet one. Pumping is time consuming and you sound like your being diligent.
Also, my first ended up being FF and he is perfectly healthy and was never sick until he was well over a year. He is five and is very healthy and on target growth wise.
Once they get older no one knows whether they are FF or BF.
Just ignore the judgments and do whatever works for you and your LO. remember that your sanity is important in this situation as well. Your doing a great job!

Knottie54288128

Here's the thing with the "our bodies were made for it, just keep trying" argument. Not all women's bodies were made to nurse. Historically, people have been supplementing since we've started keeping track of things like this. There are excerpts from physicians in the middle ages recommending that women use goats milk for their babies because they weren't producing milk. If it was something you were dead set on, then yes, it sucks not having the supply to do it.You may never have enough milk to solely breastfeed, and that's ok. You do what you've gotta do and if that's supplement with formula,or only give formula, then that's ok.

scootersgirl66

I was so set on BF this baby after FF my first three...by day 3 she had no wet diapers and we started supplementing. By day 6 I stopped pumping because it was too time consuming. After hearing so many stories of how hard it's been, painful, stressful etc. I'm relieved to be FF again because I would rather enjoy this precious time with my last newborn rather than struggle with BF. Do what fits for you and your situation and be happy

danibonello

BF didn't work for me due to incompatible mouth/nipple. She would latch beautifully but didn't like the shape of my nipple or having to work for her food.

I pump 3x a day and get about 3oz. From alternating breasts (i don't double pump). I feed her the pumped milk during the day and sensitive tummy formula at night. I think that she sleeps better on the formula since it's heartier.

It was really hard on me at first having to give up on the BF dream, but we're both happier and less stressed now.

jtay85

After a stressful 2 1/2 weeks of pumping and supplementing with formula, I have decided to switch to formula. If Mommy isn't happy, baby won't be either. I don't care what anyone says. Any breast milk is better than none. Do what works for you and baby!