If you had to... (this might be an unpopular post)

cpete5

I was 100 percent committed to BFing, until I found out this week that my new job will entail traveling up to two weeks each month. It's a promotion I need to take - dream job, bread-winner for my family.

But I am devastated. I was so bent on BFing that I couldn't imagine anything else. Now I'm freaking out. I plan to buy travel coolers, manual pumps for the airport, demand hotel rooms with refrigerators, and pump like crazy when I am home.

Still, what if I can't get enough? If you HAD to, what formula would you use to supplement?

Please don't judge! I am seriously heartbroken over this and don't know what to do.

nic326

One of my girlfriends travels every week for work all over the US. She takes a pump and pumps and dumps on the trips to keep her supply up and was fine. Asking as you keep some sort of pump schedule you should be ok. Is LO traveling with you? The reason I ask is you say you will travel with a cooler

Atlmom82

D

Atlmom82

Don't be too hard on yourself. You have to do what's best for you and your family. I BF for 13 months but we had to supplement with formula a little bc my freezer stash was not great. Supplementing with formula is not the end of the world and i say this not being snarky I would recommend talking with a LC at the hospital after you have LO. I was able to have a little freezer stash by pumping after morning feedings. Good luck!! It sounds like you have a good game plan already.  

kcl22

Giving formula is really not that big of a deal.  Who is going to judge you for feeding your child if you can't produce enough?  Get some samples from the hospital and do some trial and error if and when the time comes.  And relax.

lanbob

Some bm is better than none and formula is not bad. As for what kind of formula it was trial and error for us. We went through 5 different kinds and we settled on Similac sensitive for easy to digest and gas. GL

Brosis

There's nothing wrong w/supplementing w/ formula, if needed.  We used the Similac Early Shield that the hospital gave us until I got my supply regulated & latch issues worked out.  You could also start up a freezer stash at home in advance.  As long as you keep pumping while you're away to keep up your supply, you should be fine.

SnoopyLuv

Supplementing is not the devil. Some breastmilk is better than no breastmilk. We ended up using Gentlease but could switch between brands in a pinch. As for samples so you can try them out before you commit to a big can. Generic formulas are made in the same factories. Sign up for the formula sites and use the $5 coupons on RTF cans- they come out almost free that way.

meg193

I EP'd for my son for 6 months and just couldn't do it anymore.  I felt guilty about it but I realize now that I did what I had to do to stay sane and I still gave him a good head start.  We ended up using the costco brand formula.  It was half the price of enfamil and our pediatrician told us it was exactly the same.  If you baby can handle regular formula without any problems I recommend checking it out. (they don't make any specialty formula's)  Congrats on your job promotion!

LnR70707

We had to supplement because of supply issues and DS being a preemie....I gave/give him as much as I could.   He still gets one bottle of formula a day but I consider myself a successful BFer because at almost 7 months he is still getting as much as I can give.

SecondTimeinMSU

Just try to relax. Part of what I've discovered along the way is you have to do what is best for your family. It sounds like taking this job is what is best for your family so you need to trust your instincts and realize that is a part of providing for your family just as much as breastmilk is. Just as everyone has said any breastmilk you can provide is a great bonus plus I am assuming you'll get some kind of maternity leave at least for a few weeks so you can breastfeed him/her during those first few weeks exclusively and it has the most benefits in the early months. I had to start supplimenting a month and a half ago and i use the Target Up and Up Senstive Formula and DS has done great with it and switchs back and forth with pumped milk with no problem. I think it is awesome your committment to trying to make it work but don't beat yourself up. I was a formula fed baby myself so I definetly know that babies do thrive and turn into healthy adults on formula as well.

Soon2BMrsN

I'm as pro-bfing as they come, but you have to do what you have to do.  As the pps have said, some breastmilk is better than none.  Of course I'd supplement if I had to to keep my baby thriving.