Question for those who had to supplement w/ F

superdeejayanna

I feel like it's the F word- Formula

My baby "sucks at sucking" according to my LC, so I have been pumping and feeding a bottle of BM after nursing, but since my supply went down I have had to supplement with formula a few times as per Pedi's advice, otherwise he was screaming and hungry.

I keep reading that supplementling with formula is a "slippery slope" for nursing mothers, but I am pumping and nursing like crazy, taking the herbs, drinking the water and doing my best to get back to just BM. 

Do you have a success story to share and help me feel better during this stressful time?

katana

Try to relax about it, I know its hard, but as you said you are doing everything you can be doing and that is great! I supplemented in the beginning because DS was very sleepy and did not nurse well at all, but then we both kinda got the hang of things and it's been 9 months and he is still nursing, and we haven't supplemented since those early weeks. Stressing about it will not help though. Get rest when you can. Your a good mom and doing your best. Its really hard at first and it really does get better. Hang in.

superdeejayanna

Thanks!

Princess_Ariel

DD had trouble nursing at first, and I wasn't pumping enough to satisfy her, so, like you, I bought the "F" food.  My LC had me use a nipple shield, and shortly thereafter formula was a thing of the past - DD wouldn't touch it!  We're still happily nursing at two days shy of her first bday

A few tips to help you out:
1. Keep her close to your naked breasts throughout the day (slings are great for this).
2. Sleep as much as possible, and take her to bed with you for snuggling.
3. Pump whenever she's not next to you (bonding with your SO, for instance).
4. Try not to stress - it only decreases your supply, and that's counterproductive.
5. Have you tried a feeding tube attached to your nipple to encourage sucking?

Best of luck to you!

irishmolly04

I had to supplement with my first & I hated doing it. I had mastitis which affected my supply & ds was a really sleepy baby that never finished a feed. I eventually had to supplement but I partially BF until he was 8 mos old. It had gone too far for me to ever wean him off the supplements but I vowed not to make the same mistakes with my next baby.

Things are totally different with my second. I have a really good supply & it definitely helpes to nurse on demand & to co-sleep for the first month while your supply is esablished. Have you considered co-sleeping or napping with your DS? The more he's on your breasts the more your body will make. Also, try to relax about the whole thing b/c stress can also affect your supply! It sounds like you're doing the best you can...hang in there.

fxz109

First, i know it's hard, but formula is not poison!  If your baby is starving, formula is better than nothing.

DD was born at 37 weeks via Csection and wanted to sleep rather than nurse.  She lost almost a pound by day 5 and had jaundice.  She need food and fluids and she just wasn't getting them from me.  So we introduced bottled formula.  After thaat,I tried to BF, but we both got so frustrated, it just didn't seem worth it.  So for the past 5 weeks, she's gotten as much milk as I could pump (and it was hard for me to be religious about pumping) and the rest formula - probably about a third of what she got was formula.

but on Saturday I decided to try the boob again, and she latched!  My supply isn't great, and I'm still giving bottles of pumped milk, but we try to breast feed at every feeding.  After every feeding, I'm pumping, trying to stimulate my supply.  So even if you do have to go to bottles 

If you feel strongly about getting your baby to BF, you will do it, if your body cooperates.  And sometimes it doesn't.  I know it's hard not to beat yourself up about it (because i cried a few times a week for those 5 weeks feeling guilty for not BF'ing and giving her formula, even though I know she needed it), but don't beat your self up about it.  You need the energy for other things!

superdeejayanna

Thanks, all for the advice.

We are co-sleeping at this point and taking naps, we use a nipple shield and I'm working on getting off the shield because he doesn't like it very much.

I've actually seen some improvement in latch over the last few days- good news! But he is still hungry after every nursing, so I am still giving bottles after each feeding. He is starting to look fuller and chubbier- yay.

We see the LC tomorrow at support group.

 

cloud9climber

fxz109:

First, i know it's hard, but formula is not poison!? If your baby is starving, formula is better than nothing.

DD was born at 37 weeks via Csection and wanted to sleep rather than nurse.? She lost almost a pound by day 5 and had jaundice.? She need food and fluids and she just wasn't getting them from me.? So we introduced bottled formula.? After thaat,I tried to BF, but we both got so frustrated, it just didn't seem worth it.? So for the past?5 weeks, she's gotten as much milk as I could pump (and it was hard for me to be religious about pumping) and the rest formula - probably about a third of what she got was formula.

but on Saturday I decided to try the boob again, and she latched!? My supply isn't great, and I'm still giving bottles of pumped milk, but we try to breast feed at every feeding.? After every feeding, I'm pumping, trying to stimulate my supply.??So even if you do have to go to bottles?

If you feel strongly about getting your baby to BF, you will do it, if your body cooperates.? And sometimes it doesn't.? I know it's hard not to beat yourself up about it (because i cried a few times a week for those 5 weeks feeling guilty for not BF'ing and giving her formula, even though I know she needed it), but don't beat your self up about it.? You need the energy for other things!

?

what she said...?

katana

superdeejayanna:

I've actually seen some improvement in latch over the last few days- good news! But he is still hungry after every nursing, so I am still giving bottles after each feeding. He is starting to look fuller and chubbier- yay.

We see the LC tomorrow at support group.

 

  Good to hear! Nice work!