Question for BF/Pump mommas

imurs8228

DS is 12 days old and we had to supplement him with formula for the first week.  Now, we still use one or two bottles of formula to feed him with because after I nurse for 40 minutes, he's sometimes still hungry.  My question is that if I don't nurse or pump every feed, does that mean my supply won't be enough?  I must admit I get a little lazy so the one formula feed I just don't nurse or pump but does that mean that my supply will always be a little short?

Thank you for any help in advance!!

tokenhoser

Your body will only make what you ask it to. If you always feed formula, you'll always need it.

Athena0809

The question is why do you pump, to build a stash or to give yourself a break and let someone else take a turn at feeding? I pump after about 30min-1 hr (if LO is sleeping) of LO is done eating, and if I'm at work, I pump at the time LO would be getting a feed, but I pump to build a stash for when I'm away from him. Your LO is still very little and now is the time to establish your supply. It's all matter of demand and supply. If LO seems hungry after 40 min, then continue BFing for 50 min, an hour...you will produce enough for him. If you skip a feed/pump your body will start to get the hint that it doesn't need to make as much, therefore not making enough for your LO then you have to supplement with formula, you skip another feed, you make less, you add more formula...it's a vicious cycle.......

MommaA117

You need to keep on pumping if you eventually want to make enough to no suppliment and feed LO even more form the breast to make more...

GenRN45

tokenhoser:

Your body will only make what you ask it to. If you always feed formula, you'll always need it.

this.

MeganKay

I know its time consuming but stop timing how long LO is eating.  Let him nurse as long as he wants, even if its just comfort nursing its still stimulating your body to produce more milk.  And yes, if you do not nurse or pump every feed then your body will not know that baby needs that feeding therefore will not produce so you will always be short.  Putting the time and dedication in now will make things easier as time goes on (I know its hard and tiring).  Keep up the hard work and enjoy the bonding time with LO.  Before you know it you'll only be feeding every 2 hours then eventually every 4+ hours and you'll feel like you have so much more time on your hands.

ChozynsMom

i am a new mom who really wants to breast feed however my baby was born jaundice and had to stay under phototherapy our entire stay in the hospital and was released a day after i was. unfortunately she was given formula to lower her bili ruben levels because my milk had not yet come in. Now i can not get her to latch to me so i have began pumping however i only pump when i feel my breasts are full but i am not making enough for all her feedings what do i do? i really don't want to continue giving her both my milk as well as formula. How often do you pump and how much are you to produce. I need help i want my baby to be as healthy as possible plus she was born via c-section.

AGFaso

ChozynsMom:

i am a new mom who really wants to breast feed however my baby was born jaundice and had to stay under phototherapy our entire stay in the hospital and was released a day after i was. unfortunately she was given formula to lower her bili ruben levels because my milk had not yet come in. Now i can not get her to latch to me so i have began pumping however i only pump when i feel my breasts are full but i am not making enough for all her feedings what do i do? i really don't want to continue giving her both my milk as well as formula. How often do you pump and how much are you to produce. I need help i want my baby to be as healthy as possible plus she was born via c-section.

You should pump both breasts every 2-3 hrs for 10m, then stop andmassage u'r breasts and pump 5-10 more.  Even if u get nothing, keep going.  And always pump at least 5 min after milk stops coming out.

tokenhoser

AGFaso:

ChozynsMom:

i am a new mom who really wants to breast feed however my baby was born jaundice and had to stay under phototherapy our entire stay in the hospital and was released a day after i was. unfortunately she was given formula to lower her bili ruben levels because my milk had not yet come in. Now i can not get her to latch to me so i have began pumping however i only pump when i feel my breasts are full but i am not making enough for all her feedings what do i do? i really don't want to continue giving her both my milk as well as formula. How often do you pump and how much are you to produce. I need help i want my baby to be as healthy as possible plus she was born via c-section.

You should pump both breasts every 2-3 hrs for 10m, then stop andmassage u'r breasts and pump 5-10 more.  Even if u get nothing, keep going.  And always pump at least 5 min after milk stops coming out.

I agree. And find your local La Leche League so you have someone to call with questions - you don't need to be a member, and they'll help by phone if there isn't a club near you:

https://www.llli.org/webus.html

You can ask here, too, but some in person support would probably do you a lot of good. It's hard on your own, and if you can get your baby latching life will be much easier.

MeganKay

Breastfeeding is all about supply and demand.  If the demand is there for the milk the supply will increase.  You need to pump every 2 hours during the day and every 4 hours at night.