Update on DS's weight and a question (LONG!)

EMTX

Thanks again for taking the time to give me your thoughts 2 weeks ago when Dr. C told me to supplement with formula. SO much appreciated. I was so emotional about being told to reduce my nursing of DS.

I talked to an LC who told me not to give formula, but I am just not comfortable blatantly going against the Dr.'s suggestion. So I took some of the advice of the LC AND have been giving DS 3 bottles of formula a day.

Yesterday we had his first weight check since beginning formula and... he gained A POUND in only 2 weeks!

Now, this could be a combo of things - I'm eating more healthy fat at the advice of the LC, DS has gotten much better about solids and loves them 2x a day now, AND the 3 bottles of formula. 

He even gained a percentile. Yay! Dr. Cepeda said she now has no concerns, looks like my milk is just not as fatty or caloric as it could be, and so continue with the 3 bottles a day.

I still feel like DS is just on the skinny side, and that this gain could have been from things OTHER than the formula, but with that being said, I still obviously have his best interest in mind, and want to make sure he keeps gaining, so supplement I will

Overall, YAY! DS is fine, and I feel great that he gained so much.

Here's my new problem. At first, I was pumping after I gave him each bottle of formula. My supply is fine, and I figured I could start stockpiling BM.

Unfortunately, the pump isn't the same as DS, and even though I get 4-5 oz for each of the 3 sessions, I've had SUPER full, uncomfortable breasts for the past week.  Either the pumping has actually increased my supply, or it's not as effective and isn't fully emptying me.

In any case, it sucks. It's like I've had clogged ducts constantly. Even though I'm nursing him MOST meals, the feeling never goes away.

What do you think? Should I reduce my pumping? Maybe just pump for half as long as I normally would during those 3 formula feedings? Or pump only once or twice instead of all 3? It would hurt even more at first, but I assume level out eventually?

Such a pain (literally) to have to deal with regulating my supply when he's almost 6 months old! 

Kudos if you got through this novel... any advice would be great. Blah!

balihaigirl

I always had the same problem - my pump was never as efficient as my baby at removing all my milk.  I usually would have to kind of help get the milk out at the end of each pumping session (I would keep the pump on and turn it back onto the initial cycle where it's pumping really fast and then I would pretty much feel my boobs up and put pressure on them to clear out the milk ducts).

If that doesn't work you can also hand express too.

I'm not sure about reducing the # of pumping sessions - you could possibly try it.  If you're already getting plugged ducts though I would be apprehensive of eliminating a pumping session right now until your supply regulates to your new schedule.

PS CONGRATS ON THE WEIGHT GAIN!  That's GREAT news!!!!!!!!!

CollieJade

MrsRosie:

I got better results from pumping when I bought larger sized flanges.  Just an idea.

This!!  And, I'm a big fan of breast compressions.  There's a tutorial on Jack Newman's Breastfeeding site.  It will help drain you completely, especially on those hard to drain ducts way up in the tops/sides of your breast.