Breastfeeding and pumping Question.. Need some input

fennyann

Hello Ladies,

I have been going back and forth with what i would like to do when LO arrives. At first, i thought that i was just going to bottle feed. But these past couple of weeks, i have had a change of heart.

I get 6 weeks off of work. During this time i would like to breastfeed and also pump so DH could help with late night feedings. I'm concerned about the time that i have to put into the whole breastfeeding thins by the time i get back to work. I commute 50 minutes to and from work everyday. So, im gone for a good 11 hours everyday.

After 6 weeks, i had thought about also slowly introducing baby to formula in case i run into any issues. Have any of you ladies supplemented with formula this early on? How did the baby take? I know that every baby is different. Would just like to hear your stories. What are you planning to do? Or what have you done before?

Thanks.

HawaiiLover

I supplemented my daughter because I had issues breastfeeding.  She had a perfect latch from the first time but I found it so painful I would cry through each feeding and left the hospital in scabs because my skin is that sensitive.  I started pumping as soon as I got home and that went really well.  She never had any issue switching from breastmilk to formula or back again.  Pumping can be very time consuming (at least that is what I found).  Last time I didn't have the pumping bra (this time I certainly will!).  Once you get into a routine with pumping it gets easier.  Just don't  try to push your timeframe or you will be leaking through your shirt, happened many times to me!

littlemaybaby

The biggest problem you will have with both supplementation and letting someone else do overnight feedings is that any time your baby is eating (whether that be formula or previously pumped milk), if your boobs are not producing milk when the baby needs it, it can interfere with the supply and demand equation that determines your supply.

Many people start supplementing very early.  And I think it's great that you are considering trying to BF some in the beginning now, instead of going straight to formula.  Any breast milk you provide is great, and how you chose to balance the breastmilk/formula is totally up to you and what works best for you and your family.

I'd just say that if you do end up wanting to BF for longer (or even continue pumping once you return to work), be cautious about how many feedings you supplement with early, or this could interfere with longer term BF goals.

If you know for certain that you don't want to BF longer than 6 weeks and long term supply is not a concern, you shouldn't have problems introducing formula when you return to work.   

drpayne

I didn't introduce formula until much later (when he was eating more than I could pump)... but I did try a bottle of pumped milk around 5 or 6 weeks. Introducing formula that early might affect your overall supply.  With a commute that long, have you thought about pumping in the car?  I didn't but I know lots of ladies do.

candreco

First of all, however you choose to feed your child is fine.  Choose what's right for you.  You can BF and pump/bottle feed while you're on ML, and then pump when you go back to work, with or without supplementing with formula at any point in there. 

With my first, I BFed and eventually pumped/bottle fed for my three months of leave.  Pumping at work was fine for about a month and a half, and then DD's intake started to exceed what I could pump at work, and since I wasn't seeing the increased demand, my production didn't increase accordingly.  Given the choice of adding a fourth pumping session during the day, and supplementing with formula, I chose to supplement since pumping was already taking about an hour and a half total of pumping, getting from my office to the pumping room, cleaning parts, etc.

If you want to build up a freezer stash of pumped milk, I'd start pumping right away.  It's kind of a PITA to nurse and then pump as well, but it will help establish supply and give you a head start for when you go back to work.

anneimal98

Check out kellymom for lost of helpful info on partial weaning/combo-feeding.  I BF exclusively for 2 months, then gradually weaned to morning, bedtime, and middle-of-the-night feedings before returning to work so I didn't have to pump once I returned (used formula during the day).  We were able to continue in this way until 8 months, when I night-weaned and eventually moved to all forumla.

fennyann

drpayne:

I didn't introduce formula until much later (when he was eating more than I could pump)... but I did try a bottle of pumped milk around 5 or 6 weeks. Introducing formula that early might affect your overall supply.  With a commute that long, have you thought about pumping in the car?  I didn't but I know lots of ladies do.

i didnt think of that. that could be a possibility.

emolee84

HawaiiLover:

I supplemented my daughter because I had issues breastfeeding.  She had a perfect latch from the first time but I found it so painful I would cry through each feeding and left the hospital in scabs because my skin is that sensitive. 

You do know that that's pretty much the norm in the begining?  It's not pretty when you first start out and yes it will hurt as your nipples get used to it.  I spent many feeding the first week or 2 with my toes curled, fighting off tears until my boobs got used to it.

drpayne

fennyann:

drpayne:

I didn't introduce formula until much later (when he was eating more than I could pump)... but I did try a bottle of pumped milk around 5 or 6 weeks. Introducing formula that early might affect your overall supply.  With a commute that long, have you thought about pumping in the car?  I didn't but I know lots of ladies do.

i didnt think of that. that could be a possibility.

Get a good hands free bra (I love the PumpEase one - check Amazon) and get a car adapter.  A nursing cover that straps around your neck will cover everything.  Just an idea.

Personally, I didn't find it easier to pump and have someone else do a late night feeding.  I hated pumping so when given the choice, I'd just breastfeed when I could (no clean up, no set up).  Also, if I went all night without nursing or pumping, I was really uncomfortable the next morning (I never leaked, it just hurts to get that full).  You'll find a routine/balance that works for you.  Doing formula earlier is fine if that's what works best for you - just know that you might unintentionally hurt your supply in the long run.

IncogNeato

IMO if baby is nearby, BFing so SO much easier and more enjoyable than pumping, even in the middle of the night.

I was away from home 10+ hours a day and pumped/BF until a year, but if you don't want to, that's totally fine too.

I would suggest starting with exclusively BFing just to get a supply, even at night. I mean, pumping at night SUCKS and nursing is such an easy way to get baby back to sleep. Having your DH get up, warm up bottles, etc, would be no fun in those first few weeks if boobs are an option.

Then if you want to start supplementing, you can always just pump during your commute so that LO still gets some BM. I had a hands free bra or just used the hair-tie trick from kelly mom and BFed on the way to and from work with a cover. It was the most convenient pumping of the day!

PeonyPumps

drpayne:

fennyann:

drpayne:

I didn't introduce formula until much later (when he was eating more than I could pump)... but I did try a bottle of pumped milk around 5 or 6 weeks. Introducing formula that early might affect your overall supply.  With a commute that long, have you thought about pumping in the car?  I didn't but I know lots of ladies do.

i didnt think of that. that could be a possibility.

Get a good hands free bra (I love the PumpEase one - check Amazon) and get a car adapter.  A nursing cover that straps around your neck will cover everything.  Just an idea.

Personally, I didn't find it easier to pump and have someone else do a late night feeding.  I hated pumping so when given the choice, I'd just breastfeed when I could (no clean up, no set up).  Also, if I went all night without nursing or pumping, I was really uncomfortable the next morning (I never leaked, it just hurts to get that full).  You'll find a routine/balance that works for you.  Doing formula earlier is fine if that's what works best for you - just know that you might unintentionally hurt your supply in the long run.

This exactly.  And I've pumped in the car with a hands free bra as well. 

fennyann

thanks ladies! you all ahve such great suggestions. with approaching the 3rd tri..im trying to get all my ducks ina row, hopefully baby and i will get a routine down that we are both happy with!

Bugaboo149

I tried with my first one and it didn't go so well. I just got frustrated and so I just pumped what I could and then formula fed him. I think maybe a good idea for you is to mix and match. My friend told me she had done it and so I tried it and it went over really well. I put as much breastmilk in the bottle as I could get and then I mixed it with formula. This might be a good way to help you for when you go back to work. Their stomach would be used to some formula already but also still be getting some breastmilk as well. Something to think about!

Randa&Jerm

With both of my DDs I never suplemented until I had to due to lack of supply issues.  With DD1 it was at 2.5 months and with DD2 it was more like 4.5 months. 

Since with this one I will not be returning back to work I am going to try to withhold any pumping if at all possible to help establish and keep my supply up.

In your case I wouldn't plan to supplement unless the need arises. 

Kingston54

I EBF until my DS was 15 months old.  The first 6 weeks are the hardest but once you get through that you will see that it is so easy and convenient.  If you can stick with it and pump while you are at work, I think you will find it to be a satisfying experience for yourself and a healthy one for your baby.  After BFing one child, I can't see doing it any other way.  Good luck with whatever you choose!

2plus2makes4

Your little one will be fine i did it with my last one for the first two months and i started to give her formula once or twice a week  out of a bottle and about the 5th month she was off the breast and she was doing fine on the bottle and she would take breast milk and formula just fine.  But you will find what works for you,  even if you only breast feed for the first 2 months its still good for the baby.

Treschic81

emolee84:

HawaiiLover:

I supplemented my daughter because I had issues breastfeeding.  She had a perfect latch from the first time but I found it so painful I would cry through each feeding and left the hospital in scabs because my skin is that sensitive. 

You do know that that's pretty much the norm in the begining?  It's not pretty when you first start out and yes it will hurt as your nipples get used to it.  I spent many feeding the first week or 2 with my toes curled, fighting off tears until my boobs got used to it.

 I wasn't able to BF sucessfully because of a defect in my boobs, ugh  so I'm certainly no expert, but I was always told by LC's that it's not supposed to hurt and if it does, then there is a problem.