Pumping and formula feeding.. a lil wordy and long sorry

Meowmamma007

So I have been having latch problems with the LO and have tried all sorts of things nipple shield, teaching etc. but what works for me for now is pumping every three hours which is exhausting to then feed baby, this doesn't always work example i'm running an errand or i can't pump enough for a feeding so i then have a feeding of formula. I really want to just choose one way or the other which is leaning towards formula but feel this overwhelming quilt with the above method I feel better, happier as a mom knowing she is actually getting the proper amount of food etc... so i'm going to try this pumping thing for a couple more weeks and make it to six and just hope she got a good dose of my antibodies i'm just still not sure... the formula i;m using is similac advance.. there is so many ooptions not sure if i chose the right one.. some feedings she gets so gassy and turns red when she poops and lets out a cry like she is in pain and spits up and hiccups? Is this normal 

 I just purchased gripe water today but don't know if it's my breast milk and or formula that could be causing these gas issues? 

 Your thoughts, comments are appreciated  don't know what answer i'm looking for just want to ease my anxiety over this feeding issue.. i feel really quilty each formula feeding.. Please don't tell me to keep trying to get her to latch because that is just no an option call me a quitter but it's not 

BellaOso

Hi,

Sorry you are having a hard time. I ep but I also work from home so it is easier. 

Some things we kinda have in common - When I supplemented at first I used Similac Advanced but found my LO had the same problem, straining, red faced, etc. for pooping, so I changed formulas to a "gentle" form. If you decide to stick with formula you may try this. My DD really likes the Parent's Choice Gentle from Walmart which is the store brand that is similar to the Enfamil Gentlease. Obviously the store brand was less expensive but she also seemed to slightly prefer the store brand - so lucky me!

I kept up pumping and more specifically power pumping (ten minutes on and ten off for an hour or so) to get my supply build up. Now can pump about 7-8 ounces in a sitting and she only eats about 3.5 ounces at a time. It is a pain, but if you want and have the time, you can do it and it will get easier so you can pump enough to feed her when you are gone. I bet those few weeks you said you planned to stick with it will be more than enough. It got easier for me at 4 - 5 weeks. But if you chose not to, I wouldn't blame you one bit! I spend my entire day planning around pumping and feeding and if I didn't work from home I would probably not have survived it. I plan to tough it out a year. We shall see.

It could be your breastmilk too if you are still eating broccoli, cauliflower, or drinking milk, soda, etc. These can cause excess gas and digestive issues. 

What matters is a happy healthy you because that makes a happy healthy baby. 

 

DogCat&Baby

Please remember you are a wonderful mom and formula is not the enemy.  Any breast milk is good.  I also started to suppliment when I realized I wouldn't be able to keep up with pumping when I returned to work.  I might have been able to but my job gets hectic and I would have just been a stress ball, which wouldn't have been healthy for the baby anyway.  Now that I have been giving about half formula bottles and half BM, things are going well and I don't regret my decision. 

Sorry I can't help with the gas issue but I can tell you that my baby didn't get better with pooping until about 6 weeks. Even now she still seems uncomfortable and chews her hand.  I've also heard about eating raw vegetables and baby getting more gas.

Whatever your decision know that you are doing your best and as long as baby and mom are happy and healthy it doesn't matter if it's from BM or formula or both.

Monicagail1

I have a very similar situation. DD is starting to latch better, but pumping is still my primary mode, and I can't pump enough to provide 100% breast milk.  I also had supply issues with DD1 and had to supplement with formula.  It was really hard for me to come to terms with the reality that I couldn't pump enough to give breastmilk only, but the most important thing is that she's being fed.  I am thankful for every drop of breastmilk I am able to give her, and try to focus on those benefits, rather than feeling like formula is a lesser choice.  I pumped for 5 months with DD1 and am hoping to be able to make it at least that long this time.  It's tough, but in addition to the benefits for DD selfishly I also like the extra calories it burns!!

As far as the gas-it could be the formula, but it could also be things you are eating, or the bottles.  Bottle fed babies tend to gulp air when eating.  You could try different bottles, or making sure she's taking as little air as possible when feeding.  Or, it could be completely unrelated.  Hiccups are normal at this age as well, regardless of what they eat. Straining to poop is also normal.  They are still learning how to poop, and pooping laying down isn't easy!

There are some things you can try to boost your supply as well.  Certain foods, herbs and medications can help.  Check out kellymom.com -they have great info and resources. 

acaudill75

I BF'd and FF'd until just past 8 weeks, when DD started school and I went back to work. She is on Gentlease, and I had to buy the Tommee Tippee anti-colic bottles because she was getting colicky. I couldn't get her to burp, she was arching her back in the middle of feedings, despite still being hungry, and she would cry endlessly, especially in the evening. The bottles made all the difference, I think, as well as me not BF, since I don't eat all that great and needed caffeine to stay up with her. Try switching bottles for a couple of feedings to Dr. Browns or Tommee Tippee anti colic bottles and see if there is a difference, even with the breastmilk. I was EFF, and I never got sick as a child and have a doctorate. Your LO will be fine with or without breastmilk. You need to take care of you so that you can take care of LO.

Meowmamma007

Thank you for the reply. i switched formula and bottles switched to avent and enfamily gentel-ease - gas isssues got better but she has been so fussy not burping now barely will finish nottle