Need to supplement breastfeeding but what and how?

arcook0307

 Our almost 10 month old is not gaining weight rapidly enough.  I suspect it may be my breast milk.  She doesn't nurse for very long and only 5-6x a day.  Granted she's eating 3-4 solid meals a day.  I just have the suspicion that she isn't getting enough milk.  It was recommended that we go on a formula supplement but I was given no guidance. I remember something being in the news about formula but I need to go get some ASAP to help put some weight on her.  Even though she eats constantly she is barely on the chart for weight at all for her age.  Favorite formulas??  And how to go about introducing it?

 

jlsimon56

BM is richer in calories than formula so if you're wanting her to gain weight, BM is probably the best way to go about it.  Make sure you're offering BM before solids, so she gets those calories in her.  Have you talked to your pedi?  They can offer more advice.  At that age, they really only "need" 3x good nursing sessions.  I might even think about cutting back on the solids so she's hungry for BM?

cecilyandgautam

BM is more calorie dense than formula or solid foods - more breastmilk is probably the most efficient way to get more calories into your daughter. 

That said, other calorie-dense foods: avocados, butter (you could add butter to the cooking you do for LO), cheese, whole-fat yogurt

Another thought - is your daughter drinking a lot of water? You might try offering breastmilk in a bottle rather than water to quench her thirst.  

Does your daughter like puffs? They're pretty light & fluffy in terms of food, so as an alternative, you could make yogurt "drops" : put some yogurt in a sandwich bag, cut off an end, plop little "drops" of yogurt on wax paper and freeze it. You now have something as fun to eat as a puff, but it has more calories.  

Take every opportunity you can to offer more breastmilk & food. 

CurbsideProphet

Who was it that recommended formula? Have you done any weighed feedings? Do you ever pump and give her milk from a bottle/sippy cup?

Has she always been on smaller/lighter side? Which chart is being used? Are you using the chart for breastfed babies? I would try to increase her BM intake prior to introducing formula.  Have you talked to a lactation consultant?

blu-eyedwife

As everyone else has said, breastmilk is denser and more nutrient rich than formula, so it doesn't make sense to switch.

However, I had a friend whose child was rapidly loosing weight and her pediatrician recommended fortifying her breastmilk.  Might be something to talk to your doctor about.