BF'ing moms - does anyone supplement with formula?

TKx2

I was diagnosed with mastitis yesterday and the infected breast is not producing nearly as much milk as normal.  My doctor said it might do that for awhile as a way to rest while I heal.  The problem is, DD is not getting full what with my decreased supply.  She is really fussy after her feeding because she is still hungry and she wakes up a lot sooner than normal, so she's not getting as much sleep as she should.  I think I might try supplementing with a little formula to help fill her up.  Will this cause problems with her BF'ing?

jamalynn

So sorry you have a mastitis.  I would call the ped, but I would think they would want you to supplement if you are not producing enough for your DD.  I don't think there is any harm now in supplementing.  GL!

NJBride76

ii think you'll probably get lots of diff responses to this, but yes, i do this. we give our son one bottle a day and most often it's formula as i rarely find the time to feed him all day and then pump too. it hasn't caused any problems for us thus far. in fact he had to have formula his first few days of life bc i was having bfeeding issues and he goes back and forht btwn the two very easily. every baby is differnt of course but that's my experience so far!

Trissie18

I have been struggling with supply issues since August and DS receives 1 oz of formula with 4 oz of breast milk in his 3 bottles at daycare.  That is the only time we supplement.  He exclusively breastfeeds whenever he is with me.  It took alot of tears, feelings of guilt, and many discussions with the pedi and LC to make the decision to supplement but he seems happy and my stress level has been reduced.

clayswife

We had to supplement from the get go because I had a breast reduction.  It is just now that ds is rejecting BFing- and that's with several bottles daily for 4.5 months...

Coleslawcat

With DD I refused to supplement in fears it would kill my supply.  This time around I do.  I give 2 ounces every night just before his last feeding to help him sleep better.  It has worked wonders for us.  He also gets the rare bottle of formula when I can't feed him since I don't pump.  I haven't noticed any problems with my supply this time.  I actually have a better supply than last time.