December 2015 Moms

Formula feeding

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Re: Formula feeding

  • Gingermom15Gingermom15 member
    edited January 2016
    Absolutely yes to used bottles with new nipples. I bought a set of three 4 oz options bottles and they were $17. The only *conversion kit I could find was for an 8 oz bottle and was $11, more expensive than a new bottle and replacement rings aren't sold for the options bottles. Sterilizing will get rid of anything dangerous. 
    I also found that the rings to glass Evenflo bottles fit Dr. Brown's bottles with Dr. Brown's nipples without the vent. I had a ton of extra rings because I use the glass bottles to store milk, so I'm able to use all of my Dr. Brown's bottles ventless now.
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  • @ammnam14 The nipples are not interchangeable with the regular Dr. Browns bottles.  I like them a little bit more because LO latches on and his lips make a better seal around the nipple for less dribble and potential air to get in, while he's sucking.  The options bottles I have to pull out of his mouth several times while eating, because he dribbles out milk a lot on them and sometimes tries to draw the whole nipple into his mouth. I bought a 3 pack of Options bottles because I had to use a preemie nipple with him the first 3 weeks we had him home, and I had already purchased the wide neck bottles.  I couldn't find preemie nipples for those. I don't plan on buying any other bottles and if I do, they'll be the wide neck ones.

    The wide neck bottles are a better grip in my hands and I can get my bottle brush in there to clean them a little better than the standard sized bottles.  Those are really small reasons as to why I like them better. The main one being I believe DS drinks much better from them and we have less issues with him being messy on them. 
  • @ammnam14 we ended up back at the doctors because the Similac was not doing anything for him either. Still miserable, not sleeping, awful gas issues and in a lot of pain. We are now on Enfamil's Nutramigen. So far, the switch is has been good. He's finally popping regularly and passing gas on his own. He's also sleeping, which is huge.

    i also don't mind cleaning the Dr. Brown bottles. We love them and so does DS. I have the wide neck and options bottles. I like the feel of the wide neck more, and DS drinks from those much smoother than he does from the options bottles. We still use both, but I have to wipe up more dribble from the those.
    We just switched over to nutramigen.  We are breastfeeding but supplement some as well.  How long was it before you noticed a difference?  Our girl is still as gassy as ever.  This is our third day using it.  
  • @RSB1982 We pretty much started seeing a difference by the end of the first day. We are going on day 6 with it.  We started Tuesday afternoon, after we took him to the Dr. and they gave us a few cans to sample.  He's still pretty gassy, but at least he can work out the gas bubbles.  Before the Nutramigen, he was SO backed up, that even to fart or burp was a huge task.  He still grunts, scrunches his body and does let out a cry or screech here and there when working out a BM or passing gas.  I am hoping that as he gets older and his digestive system continues to mature and get stronger, he will outgrow some of the straining.  It does still occasionally wake him out of sleep, which concerns me a little bit.  He was preemie, born 6w early and he just turned 6w last week.  That too, may have something to do with the issue still being present somewhat.  

    I like the fact that when you mix it up, there are virtually no bubbles what so ever in the formula.  I bought the Dr. Brown formula mixer and now I'm not so sure I'll even need it. 
  • @teachmegs817 DS was on Similac total comfort and struggled with gas and constipation (so much better than on anything else that we tried though). It got much better once he was around 5 months and we'd gotten him worked up on solids enough we could give him something like prunes everyday. Probiotic drops also seemed to help.
  • @Mizuiro007 Yea, we are hoping that with time, it'll get better.  Until then, it's at least manageable on this formula.  The formula is quite expensive and it would be great to see him not have to be on that for very long either.  If he does, that's fine too.  Whatever is going to help him (and us =P).  Maybe once we start introducing solids, like you mentioned with your son, we'll really start to see things getting better.
  • @teachmegs817 Did you sign up for Enfamil Beginnings? They're pretty good at sending some vouchers regularly and it does help a little.
  • I did. I also have no shame in asking my Pediatrician when we go there for checkups for coupons or samples if they still have them available.  Depending on how long we may be on this, I may ask about them writing a prescription and submitting it to insurance, just to see if my insurance would cover the cost for any of it. Worst thing they'll say is no, which is fine too.  At least I can say I tried. 
  • @teachmegs817 Yes. We went through a lot of that. I even saw some companies have assistance programs but they seem specific to allergies rather than sensitivity or intolerance. Thankfully we were able to get WIC otherwise it would've been a lot of asking family for help as well.
  • @littlebitmom i saw a lot of dr. Brown bottles at Ross last weekend.  I already bought some at target, but it might be worth checking out if you have a Ross near you
  • celainevcelainev member
    edited February 2016
    I need help. I've been stuck on a nipple shield since DS was born... My nipples are way too inverted for him to latch, and they still haven't popped out at almost 7 weeks. 

    Breastfeeding has always been difficult but, like once a day, I have a good breastfeeding session where he is a dream. But more and more frequently he has become super squirmy while feeding even though I try EVERYTHING. So he knocks the nipple shield off and milk goes everywhere. Then he's upset cuz I have to take the time to put the shield back on. He is on and off with latching every 2-5 minutes and sometimes takes a good 5 minutes to even open his mouth to latch (he just cries.) He wants to be fed every 2 hours sometimes during the day, so that makes my social life very minimal. (And I have depression and anxiety so I need to get out of the house to stay sane.) 

    Ive been giving him one bottle of formula before bed, so we are the least frustrated at this time. And he loves it. He takes it so well.

    I need reassurance that it is okay to switch to formula... For at least a couple feedings a day. Was anyone successful at going back and forth? 

    I am so tired of being covered in milk.
  • It is absolutely ok to feed baby formula. It's not poison ;) your mental health is important too and it sounds like you've done awesome so far with the obstacles in your way. 

    If if you are going to continue breastfeeding, make sure you pump after feeding a bottle of formula to maintain your supply. You could also start feeding pumped milk in a bottle. There's lots of options, but yes formula is perfectly fine. 
  • @chaelainev It's perfectly fine if you switch to formula; temporary, part-time, or otherwise. You're feeding your baby and we have to do it however it works at the time. 

    We've done about every combination with DD. We've switched between bf and bottles quite a bit. Sometimes we've ebf for several days, sometimes just bottles, and a lot of times both. I just make sure I keep up with pumping. My supply hasn't been hurt. DD hasn't minded either and hubby and my dad love the chance to feed her.

    Have you ever tried offering your son a bottle before nursing? Sometimes after I pump I'll comfort nurse DD. It helps supply and offers the chance to practice latch without the frustration of such a hungry baby.
  • @chaelainev It's perfectly fine if you switch to formula; temporary, part-time, or otherwise. You're feeding your baby and we have to do it however it works at the time. 

    We've done about every combination with DD. We've switched between bf and bottles quite a bit. Sometimes we've ebf for several days, sometimes just bottles, and a lot of times both. I just make sure I keep up with pumping. My supply hasn't been hurt. DD hasn't minded either and hubby and my dad love the chance to feed her.

    Have you ever tried offering your son a bottle before nursing? Sometimes after I pump I'll comfort nurse DD. It helps supply and offers the chance to practice latch without the frustration of such a hungry baby.
    Thanks, I'd kind of be hoping to stop breast feeding all together. On top of always being covered in milk, I'm also sick of wearing soaking wet breast pads (I leak a lot) and I hate the inconvenience of pumping. 

    My mom never breastfed us, and so she's all behind me switching over. But is it strange to feel like a failure anyways? I was never set on breastfeeding, just thought I'd try it out. But I am in tears feeling like a disappointment.
  • Thank you so much @Mizuiro007 ! You've been very encouraging! My little one has loved Nestle's Good start formula.... He gets it roughly once a day now. I think I'm slowly going to replace his feeds with formula... It almost seems like he enjoys the formula more than breast milk. 
  • @chaelainev I feel guilt whenever I leave formula with a babysitter incase he runs out of milk. Realistically, he does just fine and never notices a difference. Babies tend to be happy to be fed however that may be, it's only hard because we tend to be our own worst critics with how we parent. Remember that formula has come a long way and babies do great on it everyday, my two nephews were FF from day one and I swear those boys are borderline genious. It's important for your baby to have a happy and sane mom, if you need to FF for that to happen, then do what is best for you.
  • @chaelainev I had a lot of guilt when I switched too because of all the "breast is best" hypnosis. My sanity and my breast health needed it. I thought I was going to be a super breast feeding mom, but no one prepares us for how challenging it is. Now my baby is almost completely switched over (we had some breast milk stored that we added to bottles to help with transition) and he's totally fine. I think he's actually less fussy. He has a more solid schedule and we can actually go places without having to pack the pump or try to figure out where I'll feed him (I'm quite modest). 

    Formula has feeding has huge advantages for moms and babies. Mental health, social life, routine, longer sleep, portability, comfort, and convenience. All the things they don't tell us at baby class. 

    Now that he's adjusted and I'm adjusted, the guilt has mostly subsided. Here's an article that I really felt validated by, hopefully you find it helpful too. 

    https://mom.me/blog/27086-17-formula-feeding-moms-speak-their-minds/
  • We supplement successfully with formula but I do have a question. DD usually gets a big formula feed her last feed of the night problem is I'd like to start pushing her bedtime a bit earlier (currently 11-12 when she actually goes down) how do you formula moms do feeds at night or if you put them down early say 8-9 when do they wake to feed next. We breast feed/dream feed for the rest of the night but I'm worried if she does go down early she'll be up again anyways 11-12 for another feed. Just not sure how you don't wake them fully when you do your bottles(my DD wake instantly when she gets a bottle).
    when we BF at night I just side nurse and don't even really have to wake her.  
  • kdoak2015 said:
    We supplement successfully with formula but I do have a question. DD usually gets a big formula feed her last feed of the night problem is I'd like to start pushing her bedtime a bit earlier (currently 11-12 when she actually goes down) how do you formula moms do feeds at night or if you put them down early say 8-9 when do they wake to feed next. We breast feed/dream feed for the rest of the night but I'm worried if she does go down early she'll be up again anyways 11-12 for another feed. Just not sure how you don't wake them fully when you do your bottles(my DD wake instantly when she gets a bottle).
    when we BF at night I just side nurse and don't even really have to wake her.  
    Bedtime lately has been between 9-10pm. So her last bottle is between 8-9pm. Then we do bath, lotion, pj's, song/rock to sleep. I haven't tried dream feeding yet. Her first wake up is anywhere from 1-3am. Feed. And then up again between 5-7am.

    There's only a dim night light in her room so we feed in the dark for MOTN feedings so she gets minimum to no stimulation. I feel her diaper and gauge whether or not I want to change her. She usually ends up pooping mid feed anyway so I've been having to change her. 
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  • I was heart broken with all the difficulties I faced and that we had such a struggle breastfeeding. The guilt is normal but not rational. The most important thing is doing what works for both of you. I pump and supplement with for ml ua. It's alot of wor but less stressful that when we were trying to breastfeed. Just accept it and do what works for you

  • I have the same timing as misamima
  • Hi, I'm lurking from N15, but my baby ended up being born 12/3! Hope no one minds...

    I had a terrible breast feeding experience- started with a nipple shield, LO had tongue and lip tie so wasn't latching properly. Poor latch, ineffective nursing, low milk supply. I was working with a LC to save the BF relationship, but after 2 weeks of pumping 8 times in 24 hours, I decided that was causing too much stress and anxiety and I wasn't enjoying my baby. I'm now just pumping 3-4 times a day. It's amazing the guilt and shame you can feel from quitting the breast. But it shouldn't be that way! Formula is perfectly fine, and women need to support each other no matter what choice they make.

    Anyway, We started supplementing with Honest Company formula and LO does great on it. I'm wondering if anyone has used or heard of Hipp organic formula from Germany? It's supposed to be amazing and we ordered some. It's actually cheaper than formula here in the US.

     N15 doesn't have a formula feeding thread. Maybe I should start one haha. 
  • @alyssaleighw I have not personally tried HiPP but I did order a couple boxes of Holle from Little World Organics for when he is with a sitter in case he runs out of milk. I fed him a couple bottles to make sure he did well on it and he has had a few more since then while away from me. He does really well on it, his poop is no different than with breastmilk and he seems to enjoy it, but he likes Similac and did well on that also. Holle smells and tastes pretty good too, not like breastmilk but rich and creamy. 

  • I am formula feeding after breast feeding was unsucsessful due to lo not latching properly, i felt awful a couple of hours but the feeling passed. My baby is happy healthy and very content, so i dont worry. I dont know if this little life saver is avaliable in the us but  its amazing so i had to share. It dispenses a ounze of boiling water add the formula shake press the button and it fills to the required amount at the prefect temp. It takes around 20 seconds to make the perfect bottle. 
  • @alyssaleighw I have not personally tried HiPP but I did order a couple boxes of Holle from Little World Organics for when he is with a sitter in case he runs out of milk. I fed him a couple bottles to make sure he did well on it and he has had a few more since then while away from me. He does really well on it, his poop is no different than with breastmilk and he seems to enjoy it, but he likes Similac and did well on that also. Holle smells and tastes pretty good too, not like breastmilk but rich and creamy. 

    That's good to hear! I've heard the poops stay like breastfed poops which is nice because LO seems a bit constipated sometimes on the Honest formula. Thanks!
  • How often are you all feeding your LO's? My DS is 10 weeks and I'm feeding him every 2-3 hours, between 4-4.5 ounces each time.
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  • I would try to feed a little more at each feeding. DD is twelve weeks old and was taking 5 to 6 oz every three to four hours. I said was because she had been really sick lately (was hospitalized) and is still not feeding well. 
  • My DS is 10 weeks old and takes about 4 oz every 2-3 hours during the day and 4 oz every 4-5 hours during the night.
  • The amount of formula you feed will vary drastically by baby and usually depends on weight not age.  Given that DD will be 8 weeks tomorrow, is about 12.5 lbs and gets 5.5 oz at every feeding.  She goes every 4 hours during the day and does one stretch of 6 hours at night.

    Married - 10/10/2009

    DS - Due 11/3/2012 born 9/28/2012 due to Severe Preeclampsia and HELLP Syndrome

    DD - EDD 12/30/15

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  • LO is 8 weeks tomorrow and weighs 10 lbs 7 oz. She gets 4oz every 3-3.5 hrs during the day. The past 4 nights, she's been giving us a nice 8-9 hr stretch. Otherwise it's a good 5-6 hr stretch at night. 
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  • Zoe drinks 4 oz. every 2-3 hours during the day. She'll give us a good 8-9 hour stretch at night then it's back to every 2-3 hours.
  • Leo is 11 weeks old and weighs a little over 13lbs. He takes 6oz about every 4 hours during the day and has been giving us one long stretch of sleep at night about 6 hrs. 

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  • LO is 10w old and gets 3.5-4oz every 3-3 1/2 hours during the day.  He gets the same amount during the night, and his feedings will go every 3 1/2-4 1/2 hours in between.
  • littlebitmomlittlebitmom member
    edited February 2016
  • DS is 9 weeks and 11lb 1oz. He takes 4oz every 2.5-3hrs during the day and the same every 3-4hrs at night. He eats Alimentum for suspected mpsi. 
  • DS weighed 14lbs and 6oz and was 24 1/2 inches long at his 2 month appt on 2/11/16. We feed him 4oz every 2.5 - 3 hrs. A few times we gave him 5oz at bedtime. The pediatrician told us to try and keep him at 4oz. DS lets us know when he needs more
  • Looking for advice for a co-worker. 

    Her baby is 4 weeks old and EFF, he is on Enfamil Gentlease and having problems with reflux and constipation. He had been on this formula since he was born. I don't really have experience with formula, but could switching possibly help? I gave her some Dr. Brown's bottles with preemie nipples and that helped his spitting up the whole bottle, but he still gets so gassy and goes more than a week at a time without pooping. He is obviously in pain and strains hard to pass stool. The pediatrician said all this is normal and switching isn't necessary, after seeing the poor baby so miserable I'm highly doubting his advice and his humanity. The mom in me says something is off. 

    Also, she wanted so bad to breastfeed but couldn't due to medication. I EBF, so of course I want to approach this topic sensitively without her feeling like I'm being pushy. Advice on how to do that? I don't care at all that he's on formula but it's painful to watch the poor little guy suffer :( especially because I feel it could be made better for him. 
  • Looking for advice for a co-worker. 

    Her baby is 4 weeks old and EFF, he is on Enfamil Gentlease and having problems with reflux and constipation. He had been on this formula since he was born. I don't really have experience with formula, but could switching possibly help? I gave her some Dr. Brown's bottles with preemie nipples and that helped his spitting up the whole bottle, but he still gets so gassy and goes more than a week at a time without pooping. He is obviously in pain and strains hard to pass stool. The pediatrician said all this is normal and switching isn't necessary, after seeing the poor baby so miserable I'm highly doubting his advice and his humanity. The mom in me says something is off. 

    Also, she wanted so bad to breastfeed but couldn't due to medication. I EBF, so of course I want to approach this topic sensitively without her feeling like I'm being pushy. Advice on how to do that? I don't care at all that he's on formula but it's painful to watch the poor little guy suffer :( especially because I feel it could be made better for him. 
    She should definitely try switching formula, keeping in mind that it may take up to two weeks to see improvement. I'm surprised her pediatrician isn't concerned. She should call and ask her pediatrician for a formula recommendation based off of the issues her little one is having. I'm in the same boat as her...I wanted to breastfeed both of my children, but can't due to medication that I take. I wish her good luck. 
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