Pumping/supplementing

aharders89

My LO is 17 days old and still hasn't reached her birth weight so the pediatrician recommended supplementing with formula. For the past 24 hours I've been feeding her 2 oz of formula every 3 hours and pumping afterwards, and I'm only getting an ounce total each time. I'm feeling like a terrible mother, but I'm just ready to quit breastfeeding. It's stressful enough taking care of a newborn all day, but then being on such a schedule with pumping is too much. I wish we could've made it longer but unfortunately I feel that breastfeeding is just not right for us. I feel like it's silly to quit after just a day of this, but it's awful! Any advice/tips?! Also, how do you dry up your supply?

BrittnieMariee

We had to start supplementing because DS dropped too much weight after we got out of the hospital and ended up dehydrated because he was too tired to eat. We ended up back in the hospital and they had me feeding him formula and then pumping every two hours. I was miserable. I didn't have time for anything except feeding him and pumping. Now that we're home and he's above his birth weight by over a pound I've almost stopped pumping (I do it maybe once or twice a day) and mostly give him formula and then let him breastfeed for as long as he wants. We are much happier and less stressed now! You just have to figure out what works best for you and go with it! If you think breastfeeding isn't for you and you'd feel better feeding your baby formula then do it. And kudos to you for deciding to do what you think is best. That's all we can do! A happy mama is way better for baby!

ginaannechelan

We are supplementing and it's probably going to be permanent. Every other feeding is a 2 oz bottle. The Dr said to look for cues that if he's still hungry after breastfeeding... Top him off. So far it works.

I feel your frustration on what you're getting when you pump. I stopped pumping last week because it was totally depleting me after BFing for an hour. I'd get 15mL tops from both breasts. I'm two weeks from returning to work, so mid next week, we will transition to me pumping around lunch so it fits with my work schedule. When I go back to work, we will probably continue the same combo deal.

If you've been BFing and pumping, maybe pumping is hurting more than helping. Since I stopped pumping last week, I've been able to keep LO happy with how much he eats BFing.

jennsammut

I am only pumping and I am four weeks out. At two weeks I was lucky to get an 1 oz total now I am getting three it takes time and frustrating but it's worth it

aharders89

Thanks for the advice! I'm going to try to keep up with it for a little while longer. I'm seeing the lactation consultant again on Sunday so hopefully we can troubleshoot the problem. She was having no signs of dehydration or weight loss. I thought everything was going well all along. She never acted hungry after feedings or anything. But apparently things aren't what they seemed!