I highly recommend the Dr browns with a preemie nipple. I have a little starver on my hands and the slow flow nipple has helped us so much. We give the breastmilk first then the formula it seems to help with her tummy issues.
After a week of breastfeeding, I decided to switch to formula. I was def not prepared for how hard it would be. The pain everytime he would feed was so bad and I constantly felt like I was engorged even though I was feeding every 2-3 hrs. It got to the point where I would dread everytime I would have to feed him and it would stress me out to the point of tears. I felt like breastfeeding was keeping me from bonding with him when it should be a positive experience. DS has been on formula for a little over a week and I can't even being to tell you what a difference it has made. it was a difficult decision and I def struggled with it and felt like I had failed (I still do). But switching was the best decision for us both.
@brittbee0715 Glad you have come to some decision you feel good about. I was forced to pump and dump exclusively for the first two weeks as I was on about 5 antibiotics (I had and STILL have appendicitis... long story). By the time my baby came home from the NICU, between the antibiotics and recovery, I had given up and no only formula feed. So much can weigh on us as mamas. As long as you are feeding your baby and your baby is thriving, you are doing a good thing.
@brittbee0715 Glad you have come to some decision you feel good about. I was forced to pump and dump exclusively for the first two weeks as I was on about 5 antibiotics (I had and STILL have appendicitis... long story). By the time my baby came home from the NICU, between the antibiotics and recovery, I had given up and no only formula feed. So much can weigh on us as mamas. As long as you are feeding your baby and your baby is thriving, you are doing a good thing.
Thank you. It def was not easy. After talking to my pediatrician today, he seemed to be ok with it. I half expected him to give me a lecture but he was really supportive of my decision. He also recommended and gave me a prescription for a medical grade pump that will stimulate better than the at home pumps. Apparently they imitate babies sucking better too. I'm going to try it for a while and see if it helps keep my supply from dropping.
Does formula make babies spit up more than breast milk? I gave baby her first bottle of formula today to test how she would do, she spit up SO much & afterwards she cried and cried like her belly hurt... I gave her juice to help her poop and she's been popping awesome since... Not sure if it was juice or formula that made her bowels start up good.
Your pedi okayed juice? I always thought that was a huge no-go this early.
@Mizuiro007 This is when she's BFing. Haven't giving her formula yet but hoping to try a formula bottle today/tonight, and I hope it helps!!! I'll keep an eye out on the gulping @esscapelle
@brittbee0715 I had to rent a hospital grade pump as well. It's a lot of work, as I have to pump every 3 hours even at night to keep my supply and I don't think it's quite as good of stimulation as what a baby would give me. As your doctor said, my at home (Medela freestyle) was just not strong enough this early. We pay $60 a month for the rental. We supplement with formula, I get about 16-18oz of breastmilk a day and my LO drinks another 16oz of formula at night. Im comfortable with our feeding plan and our pediatrician is on board, I have tried everything you can think of to increase my supply but I just can't keep up with my growing boy. To anyone who is struggling, don't beat yourself up. I think hospitals and doctors put a lot of pressure on moms to exclusively breastfeed without considering that it may not be possible for everyone. To answer the poop question, with breastmilk only my son pooped more often. Now he does one massive poop every 24 hours. Formula is slower to digest so it's not abnormal for formula fed babies to have less frequent bowel movements. Also it takes a few days for their bellies to adjust so when you switch formulas, try it for at least a week or two before switching again. Lastly, keep your pediatrician involved in the feeding plan. They will tell you what's normal but also give you FREE samples of formula so you don't have to buy it to try it out.
Similac and Enfamil send free samples of their products as well as coupons in the mail if you go to their website and sign up. You can also email them asking for samples. Their sample tend to be full cans.
Also, has anyone noticed their babies being able to digest ready to feed formula better than powdered? When we were supplementing in the beginning we bought a can of powdered and it upset his belly and made him so gassy and fussy. We went back to ready to feed and he settled down. He was also a preemie, maybe that had something to do with it? I'm asking somewhat out of curiously and somewhat incase I need to ever supplement again.
Does formula make babies spit up more than breast milk? I gave baby her first bottle of formula today to test how she would do, she spit up SO much & afterwards she cried and cried like her belly hurt... I gave her juice to help her poop and she's been popping awesome since... Not sure if it was juice or formula that made her bowels start up good.
Your pedi okayed juice? I always thought that was a huge no-go this early.
*typo
yeah, she said to try prune or apple juice and to dilute it. Or to try a suppository but... I felt like that was over the top for a newborn
Does formula make babies spit up more than breast milk? I gave baby her first bottle of formula today to test how she would do, she spit up SO much & afterwards she cried and cried like her belly hurt... I gave her juice to help her poop and she's been popping awesome since... Not sure if it was juice or formula that made her bowels start up good.
Your pedi okayed juice? I always thought that was a huge no-go this early.
*typo
yeah, she said to try prune or apple juice and to dilute it. Or to try a suppository but... I felt like that was over the top for a newborn
Interesting. Glad it worked and she had approved it. Learn something new everyday. Did she have you try 4oz water first?
Does formula make babies spit up more than breast milk? I gave baby her first bottle of formula today to test how she would do, she spit up SO much & afterwards she cried and cried like her belly hurt... I gave her juice to help her poop and she's been popping awesome since... Not sure if it was juice or formula that made her bowels start up good.
Your pedi okayed juice? I always thought that was a huge no-go this early.
*typo
yeah, she said to try prune or apple juice and to dilute it. Or to try a suppository but... I felt like that was over the top for a newborn
Interesting. Glad it worked and she had approved it. Learn something new everyday. Did she have you try 4oz water first?
No, just water? She's eating 2 oz right now so my ped told me to mix an oz water & oz of juice.
I have been all formula from day 1. Hated breastfeeding when I tried it with previous baby and I couldn't be happier with my decision. I'm a pediatric nurse so I'm well aware and made an informed decision that formula is best for us and I have zero regrets. My twins are now smart happy healthy 4yr olds who were less sick than so many breastfed kids we know..and this new baby is doing great w formula too. The pressure around breastfeeding is unreal..formula is an excellent option, don't let anyone make u feel like Ur less of a mom for making that choice!!
Has anyone tried lactation cookies? I bought one today from babies r us and thought I'd give it a try.
I tried one and didn't notice anything...probably because I only tried it once. The BRU employee that helped said he never gets good reviews on the cookies and it's easier/cheaper to make yourself.
I just gave my 2 day old a small bottle. He wasn't latching well and I would cry every time I looked at him worried about him. I just wanted to know something was in his belly. I might still try and breast feed, but I just wanted to make sure he was OK
I was totally down for BF and still am okay with doing it for LO's feedings during the day, but I am finding now that when I pump, my supply is running low. I barley get 50-60 mL combined when I pump. I worry that when I go back to work, I won't be able to build up a supply for him to have with the sitter and I'll have to switch to formula. I'm not against formula by any means, but I would like to BF and give pumped milk to him as long as wen can. I also don't like knowing exactly how much he's getting from one feeding. I can only guess what he's getting based on how long he was latched and if I was paying attention to the amount of times he stopped and rested while eating. He latches and eats anywhere from 10-25 minutes and sometimes if it's on the shorter end, his feeding session turns into over an hour long process because he'll wake up 20 minutes after he's "done" and want to eat again. Where as a bottle is measured out, he eats it, burps, relaxes in my arms and is ready to go back to bed within 30-35 minutes.
We were supplementing with formula due to my low supply from his tongue tie (appointment to fix is.thursday) we tried two.kinds.and they tore up his already senstive stomach. Past couple days we have been able to just do breast milk, but I'm afraid we will have to do.formula again. He already screams due to gas, but formula seemed to make it.worse and he spit uplike crazy. Between breast feeding difficulties, gas, tongue tie, and formula not agreei g with him we just can't win. So jealous of you ladies who can feed your kids w. Out.them being miserable.
We were supplementing with formula due to my low supply from his tongue tie (appointment to fix is.thursday) we tried two.kinds.and they tore up his already senstive stomach. Past couple days we have been able to just do breast milk, but I'm afraid we will have to do.formula again. He already screams due to gas, but formula seemed to make it.worse and he spit uplike crazy. Between breast feeding difficulties, gas, tongue tie, and formula not agreei g with him we just can't win. So jealous of you ladies who can feed your kids w. Out.them being miserable.
I recommend the doc brown bottles, Our DD was spitting up a lot after feeds, she's a gulper and would take in so much air with normal bottles(size newborn nipple). We got the doc brown premie nipples and what an amazing change.
Similac and Enfamil send free samples of their products as well as coupons in the mail if you go to their website and sign up. You can also email them asking for samples. Their sample tend to be full cans.
Also, has anyone noticed their babies being able to digest ready to feed formula better than powdered? When we were supplementing in the beginning we bought a can of powdered and it upset his belly and made him so gassy and fussy. We went back to ready to feed and he settled down. He was also a preemie, maybe that had something to do with it? I'm asking somewhat out of curiously and somewhat incase I need to ever supplement again.
@saragn yes! I am wondering this myself. The first 5 days before I was EBF, I needed to supplement so I gave my son ready to feed bottles and he was perfectly fine. Well fast forward a month later Im desperately trying to accommodate to my babys high demands hes a big boy and eating like a 3 month old. So I decided to give him a bottle of formula. I had a can sample of gerber gentle for supplementing and it REALLY upset his stomach. The next 2 days were a nightmare. We bought similac comfort per the lactation consultants recommendation for those days where we're not at home or for whatever reason my son needs extra and I dont have anything in the fridge (I cant keep more than 1-2 bottles in there.) And im very afraid he won't tolerate it as well as the ready to feed one. Perhaps something about the type of water used?
Similac and Enfamil send free samples of their products as well as coupons in the mail if you go to their website and sign up. You can also email them asking for samples. Their sample tend to be full cans.
Also, has anyone noticed their babies being able to digest ready to feed formula better than powdered? When we were supplementing in the beginning we bought a can of powdered and it upset his belly and made him so gassy and fussy. We went back to ready to feed and he settled down. He was also a preemie, maybe that had something to do with it? I'm asking somewhat out of curiously and somewhat incase I need to ever supplement again.
@saragn yes! I am wondering this myself. The first 5 days before I was EBF, I needed to supplement so I gave my son ready to feed bottles and he was perfectly fine. Well fast forward a month later Im desperately trying to accommodate to my babys high demands hes a big boy and eating like a 3 month old. So I decided to give him a bottle of formula. I had a can sample of gerber gentle for supplementing and it REALLY upset his stomach. The next 2 days were a nightmare. We bought similac comfort per the lactation consultants recommendation for those days where we're not at home or for whatever reason my son needs extra and I dont have anything in the fridge (I cant keep more than 1-2 bottles in there.) And im very afraid he won't tolerate it as well as the ready to feed one. Perhaps something about the type of water used?
Something we found with our first is it can sometimes make a huge difference how you mix it. Shaking or vigorous mixing with powdered formula puts so many air bubbles in it. The Dr Brown's formula mixing pitcher was a life saver. We'd mix enough for a day then divide into bottleshadow in the fridge. Then it's just a matter of warming the bottles and swirl to mix it. In the beginning we also added a few of the Gerber colic drops to the mix and it seemed to cut the amount of air in the formula. As he got older we didn't have to do as much but this early they struggle more to process the air.
I breastfeed and give my twins formula. I don't pump and am a stay at home momma. Their first formula was similac for premies and I didn't have a choice. They had trouble keeping their sugars up the first two days but that's all better now. We use enfamil newborn now and that has been doing fine for the last 3 weeks. They do spit up both formula and breastmilk and I am not worried about it since its a small amount. They are well fed and happy little girls
When my son was a baby, he was formula fed only by two weeks of age. His pediatrician told me I was starving him with just breast feeding and he was pitiful. I tried doing both BF and formula with him but after getting a belly full of formula that was all he wanted and was a much happier baby. He was a super puker though and could decimate the area around him after a feeding. He outgrew that stage thankfully.
I say do whatever you have to do to make those babies happy and comfortable either BF or formula or both.
Why does it say to discard formula (powder) after an hour?! I've wasted so much formula because of this, plus it's a gamble trying to guess how much she will eat it's always between 1.5-3 ounces... When I was pumping and giving it to her it would last longer so she never had to waste any of it. Getting frustrated.
Does anyone have any experience with Enfamil Supplement formula (green container) I want a formula for the "just in case" but I want one that will compliment breast milk. Does it even matter?!
@kleshelle I am not sure why you have to discard after an hour but I believe that is when you have it sitting out room temperature. I think you can keep it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours if your lo doesn't finish it.
Why does it say to discard formula (powder) after an hour?! I've wasted so much formula because of this, plus it's a gamble trying to guess how much she will eat it's always between 1.5-3 ounces... When I was pumping and giving it to her it would last longer so she never had to waste any of it. Getting frustrated.
The thought is that you should discard it after an hour once they've started eating because of the bacteria. Some saliva and the bacteria in it will back up into the bottle and then sits there in the formula and cultures.
@kleshelle I am not sure why you have to discard after an hour but I believe that is when you have it sitting out room temperature. I think you can keep it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours if your lo doesn't finish it.
You cannot put it back in the refrigerator once the baby has started eating from the bottle. It's from the bacteria buildup that @Mizuiro007mentioned. Once you mix a bottle, you can store it in the fridge for 24 hours, if the baby hasn't touched it. It can also stay out at room temp for up to 2 hours, if the baby hasn't touched it. Once the baby has touched it, it must be used within an hour or discarded. Try making only 2 oz at a time. Yes, you'll have to throw out some formula sometimes since it's a measured amount that the baby may not eat.
@redfallon thanks for the tip! Luckily, I haven't put any back in the fridge! I just read it on the can..wish they would be more specific! Thanks again!
@redfallon thanks for the tip! Luckily, I haven't put any back in the fridge! I just read it on the can..wish they would be more specific! Thanks again!
So I've been pretty much only formula feed my 6 day old. I can't get him to latch and it's causing a lot of anxiety for me. I bought nipple guards and they don't seem to work (I have flat nipples).
I'm so frustrated that I think I'm going to stop trying. I'm much happier feeding him formula and knowing that he is getting what he needs. I feel like I'm giving up too soon, but I just don't want to stress out about it!!
@stephaniearthurs - I completely support your decision to formula feed. I was in the same boat but now we formula feed and I pump every 4 or so hours. It's been so much easier and a whole lot stressful. Taking care of a newborn is stressful enough. Adding the pressure of breastfeeding (I feel) hinders the bond between you and your little one especially if it's causing anxiety. Do what makes you happy so you can keep your baby healthy.
So I've been pretty much only formula feed my 6 day old. I can't get him to latch and it's causing a lot of anxiety for me. I bought nipple guards and they don't seem to work (I have flat nipples).
I'm so frustrated that I think I'm going to stop trying. I'm much happier feeding him formula and knowing that he is getting what he needs. I feel like I'm giving up too soon, but I just don't want to stress out about it!!
Why do you feel the shield isn't working? Are you placing it on correctly. I have flat nipples and works wonders for us(I don't want to depend on it forever but it's helped us this far). Try a LC maybe. BF gets easier.
@ATolentino89 I am just now introducing formula to my LO and I was using the enfamil supplementing but it was giving her gas. So yesterday at the pediatrian's office I asked about it and she said to switch and give her the enfamil gentlease formula. We started that last night and she seems a little less gassy. I have a friend whose baby is a little older than my LO and the supplementing gives her gas as well and they give her the Gerber soothe drops and they work amazingly for her LO.
Also has anyone had a hard time getting there baby to drink formula? My LO has been drinking breast milk from a bottle since week 1 and will drink almost 4 ounces every 3 hours I tried to give her a bottle of just formula and it took all I could do to get 2 ounces in her. I did mix a bottle of 2 ounces of breast milk with 1 ounce of formula and she drank all of that. I don't mind doing that at home but when she goes to daycare that's a little much for her teacher to have to worry with while taking care of several babies.
@ATolentino89 I am just now introducing formula to my LO and I was using the enfamil supplementing but it was giving her gas. So yesterday at the pediatrian's office I asked about it and she said to switch and give her the enfamil gentlease formula. We started that last night and she seems a little less gassy. I have a friend whose baby is a little older than my LO and the supplementing gives her gas as well and they give her the Gerber soothe drops and they work amazingly for her LO.
Also has anyone had a hard time getting there baby to drink formula? My LO has been drinking breast milk from a bottle since week 1 and will drink almost 4 ounces every 3 hours I tried to give her a bottle of just formula and it took all I could do to get 2 ounces in her. I did mix a bottle of 2 ounces of breast milk with 1 ounce of formula and she drank all of that. I don't mind doing that at home but when she goes to daycare that's a little much for her teacher to have to worry with while taking care of several babies.
We found with DS that there were some formulas he didn't like. As soon as he'd taste it he'd spit it out and refuse more. Enfamil Gentlease was one we struggled with with this. Maybe try Similac Total Comfort or Gerber Soothe? Both are for fussiness and gas like Gentlease but baby might like one of them better.
We started supplementing DD with Gerber Goodstart in the hospital and when we got home we switched to Gerber Supplementing since I was pumping. That one gave her the worst smelling green poop and she started getting gas so we switched her to Gerber Sooth. Funny enough, it caused her to spit up MORE than usual, she had a hard time burping and didn't help with the gas (the formula for gas and fussiness)! Since I stopped pumping we decided to switch back to the original Gerber Goodstart and I can tell DD likes it the best. Her spitting up has gotten better and she burps a lot more easily now! (Can you tell DH works for Nestlé, haha)
I have been all formula from day 1. Hated breastfeeding when I tried it with previous baby and I couldn't be happier with my decision. I'm a pediatric nurse so I'm well aware and made an informed decision that formula is best for us and I have zero regrets. My twins are now smart happy healthy 4yr olds who were less sick than so many breastfed kids we know..and this new baby is doing great w formula too. The pressure around breastfeeding is unreal..formula is an excellent option, don't let anyone make u feel like Ur less of a mom for making that choice!!
I am also an RN and have switched over to formula after being unsuccessful with breastfeeding. I feel like people judge us as nurses even more for choosing formula and it sucks. I felt a lot of guilt when I first switched (and still do) but at the end of the day both my baby and I are happy and he is doing very well. That's what's most important.
When your babies drink formula do they get a white residue on their tongue. My baby has it but I'm not sure if it's milk residue or thrush. Baby has an appointment on Tuesday. Just thought I'd ask.
Btw: he doesn't have a rash. He is eating well and he doesn't have any other spots than the one on his tongue.
Re: Formula feeding
*typo
Thank you both for the help!!!
We supplement with formula, I get about 16-18oz of breastmilk a day and my LO drinks another 16oz of formula at night.
Im comfortable with our feeding plan and our pediatrician is on board, I have tried everything you can think of to increase my supply but I just can't keep up with my growing boy.
To anyone who is struggling, don't beat yourself up. I think hospitals and doctors put a lot of pressure on moms to exclusively breastfeed without considering that it may not be possible for everyone.
To answer the poop question, with breastmilk only my son pooped more often. Now he does one massive poop every 24 hours. Formula is slower to digest so it's not abnormal for formula fed babies to have less frequent bowel movements. Also it takes a few days for their bellies to adjust so when you switch formulas, try it for at least a week or two before switching again. Lastly, keep your pediatrician involved in the feeding plan. They will tell you what's normal but also give you FREE samples of formula so you don't have to buy it to try it out.
Also, has anyone noticed their babies being able to digest ready to feed formula better than powdered? When we were supplementing in the beginning we bought a can of powdered and it upset his belly and made him so gassy and fussy. We went back to ready to feed and he settled down. He was also a preemie, maybe that had something to do with it? I'm asking somewhat out of curiously and somewhat incase I need to ever supplement again.
No, just water? She's eating 2 oz right now so my ped told me to mix an oz water & oz of juice.
Between breast feeding difficulties, gas, tongue tie, and formula not agreei g with him we just can't win. So jealous of you ladies who can feed your kids w. Out.them being miserable.
Our DD was spitting up a lot after feeds, she's a gulper and would take in so much air with normal bottles(size newborn nipple). We got the doc brown premie nipples and what an amazing change.
When my son was a baby, he was formula fed only by two weeks of age. His pediatrician told me I was starving him with just breast feeding and he was pitiful. I tried doing both BF and formula with him but after getting a belly full of formula that was all he wanted and was a much happier baby. He was a super puker though and could decimate the area around him after a feeding. He outgrew that stage thankfully.
I say do whatever you have to do to make those babies happy and comfortable either BF or formula or both.
I got my Dr. Brown's pitcher out the other day!
Jamie
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Proud Mommy of Derek Michael
April 8, 2014 9lb 6oz 21 inches
Jamie
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Proud Mommy of Derek Michael
April 8, 2014 9lb 6oz 21 inches
Jamie
I'm so frustrated that I think I'm going to stop trying. I'm much happier feeding him formula and knowing that he is getting what he needs. I feel like I'm giving up too soon, but I just don't want to stress out about it!!
Also has anyone had a hard time getting there baby to drink formula? My LO has been drinking breast milk from a bottle since week 1 and will drink almost 4 ounces every 3 hours I tried to give her a bottle of just formula and it took all I could do to get 2 ounces in her. I did mix a bottle of 2 ounces of breast milk with 1 ounce of formula and she drank all of that. I don't mind doing that at home but when she goes to daycare that's a little much for her teacher to have to worry with while taking care of several babies.
Btw: he doesn't have a rash. He is eating well and he doesn't have any other spots than the one on his tongue.