FF during day, BF at night?

HeyLadyloo

I found out just before returning to work (about three weeks ago) that I have a lipase issue with my milk, causing it to sour rapidly, so had to toss almost 75oz of stored BM that I had been pumping during my leave (I tested it all, and all was bad) and start all over again.

Now, in order to get BM, I have to pump, scald on the stove, pour into new bottles, chill, THEN put in bags. And I have to wash all bottles and parts after each pumping session.

I'm finding that this process takes too much time out of a productive work day for me so am seriously considering switching to FF my daughter during the day, while she is at daycare, and BF when we're together - in the morning, at night, etc. Our pediatrician supports this idea, but lactation consultants I've talked to keep trying to dissuade me and are making me feel like a bad mom. I already have a guilty conscience because I thought I would be able to EBF for the full year that I had planned.

So my question is this: Do any of you FF during day and BF when you're together? Do you find that your supply is ample when you're together and/or do you still have to pump during the day in order to maintain your supply?

slwprincess

I did this for 6 mos and it was GREAT.  Be prepared that your supply will probably drop considerably, but just know that baby is still getting all the goodies- just in a more concentrated form.  I tried to change my mentality so that I viewed our nursing sessions as highly nutritious "snacks" rather than meals.  I totally ditched the pump at 3 mos.  However, I did learn a lesson- don't drop the pump completely, continue to use it at least once a week or else your body will "forget" how to pump.  This was why I had to eventually wean earlier than I wanted.  I had to go out of town for work, but my body wouldn't let down for the pump anymore. 

bksp1

First of all let me say that you are not a bad mother.  As long as you are feeding your child that is really all that matters. 

I had supply issues so for me I would have still had to pump during the day to keep my supply up but I have heard many women that do FF during the day and BF in the mornings and at night so I know it can be done.  I did it for a while before I weaned but my supply dropped, but that was my goal since I was trying to wean.

HeyLadyloo

slwprincess:

don't drop the pump completely, continue to use it at least once a week or else your body will "forget" how to pump. 

Thanks! I hadn't heard that.  

HeyLadyloo

bksp1:

First of all let me say that you are not a bad mother.  As long as you are feeding your child that is really all that matters. 

Thanks... I know this in my heart, but those darn LCs have a way of getting to me!

I may end up pumping and dumping at least at first. I'd really hate to give up BFing when we're together, but also accept the possibility that my supply may drop altogether with the switch to formula.

pnstirling

DD is FF during the day and BF at night. It works out great. So far, I have not had any supply issues when we are together. She is happy and healthy and that really is all the matters to me.

marrymemylove

OK I am a self confessed breastfeeding enthusiast. Some with very narrow minds have called me a breastfeeding nazi.

I totally support your decision and I think it will work IF you have already established your supply really well AND you are prepared to pump when you can even if you have to dump it if supply periodically drops AND you have a tiny bit of luck thrown in.

The thing is that until about 6 months most people haven't got a fully established thriving supply. Some people do earlier, especially around 5 months or so. So maybe if you hung in there another few weeks you'd have a better chance but there's no guarantee.

The things to consider:

1. DO NOT I repeat DO NOT go straight down to together feeds only. It will kill you. Well it will feel like it will. Weaning HURTS like hell. Even if milk is wasted, step down a pumping every week or so until you're there. I did it every 3 days and it hurt still. I did the last 2 feeds dropped at the same time and I hurt a lot for a week or more (and DS was 15 months and not eating that much even!).

2. If you're not breastfeeding much then your supply could just disappear. Not the end of the world but as we all know breastmilk is best and you'd like to continue to feed at night, it might be worth a pump and dump during the day just to keep your body producing.

3. If you do have supply issues on the schedule you set yourself you could try one of the safe effective drugs that help supply - Reglan or Domperidone. I know that the NYU Breastfeeding line will refer you.

Good luck! While most mums go to that schedule of feeds eventually, it isn't usually until the baby is close to a year old or beginning to wean, so the skepticism of some LCs could just be that they think it won't work for such a young baby, you'll dry up or they'll hate the change and just wean themselves. You can't know in advance, you can only give yourself the best shot by considering the points above.

GL!?

E C

We did this for about a month and a half.  My supply took a huge hit at 6 months, but we managed to keep EBF/pumping for another month or so.  But, I started not being able to pump as much as she was eating during the day.

So, I continued to pump.  I mixed what I pumped with formula and she drank that for a bit.  I slowly cut out pumping sessions so that we were still doing morning/night nursing, but she was getting 100% formula at day care.  There was no looking back after that.  But, my supply was never ample to begin with, so I'm happy with where we made it to.

I think a lot of the concern from LCs is that you'll do what I did - once you start on formula, you'll drop nursing all together.  That's why they try to dissuade you.  It was right for us, though.

madhatter2003

I switched to cow's milk during the day at 12 months and just nursed nights and mornings and did fine. YOur supply may not last forever, but any BM is better than none.

vegas17

I hear ya mama! I have the same lipase issue. What I do is pump into one big bottle and one small bottle each  pumping session. I combine them into the big bottle and heat it to 140 degrees in a bottle warmer. Then cap and put in the fridge. The whole process takes about 15 minutes, including setup and take down.

If you aren't shy you could put the bottle warmer at your desk and put an electric warning thermometer to tell you when its getting close to 140.

I also have three or so sets of breastshields so I dont have to wash every night.

It is definitely doable, but don't feel bad if you decide not to. I know how tough it is!!