Switching to formula

rsheehan10

I just spoke to an rn at my pedi office who was no help. Hoping you all can give advice.

I am considering switching to formula or at least supplementing. I currently bf and give a bottle of expressed milk a night. My lo had reflux and dairy sensitivity so I have cut out eggs and dairy. I have lost considerable weight and my supply has suffered. I drink tons of water and have been eating extra to supplement calories.
Here's my question. If I supplement do I do oz for oz of what I did with BM? Currently he takes a 4 oz bottle at night so do I give 4 oz of formula?. I may have to up it to 5 as he does not seem satisfied. Also do you feed as often with formula. During he day he eats every 2 to 3 hrs. Any help would be great. Thanks.

ClandestineX

I have been supplementing with formula since my little one was a month old. I usually nurse from both breasts then give my guy 3-4 oz of formula on top of that (right now it is upwards of 4 oz often because I think he is going through a spurt). I was giving him formula with every feeding up until I went back to the doctor last week to see if he was gaining again (he was previously losing weight) and after he gained a pound and half in a week I decided to just supplement when he fussed for more after nursing. Sometimes he just nurses and starts cooing and being in active alert phase and I know he isn't hungry still... but sometimes after I nurse he is screaming and crying wanting more, so I give him formula.

He eats every 2.5-4 hours.

mnj05

When I was BF and supplementing, I would nurse both sides then gave up to two ounces of formula. I have no clue how much he got when he nursed but 1.5-2 ounces of formula seemed to satisfy him. Since day one, whether straight BF or both, he ate every 3 hours.

anonsouthernbell

Due to the food sensitivities I would highly recommend not giving the bottle in the evening and putting LO straight to your breast.  Soy formula really isn't that great for babies (and soy can mimic dairy) and alimentum is quite expensive.  Plus, if you find that your LO is sensitive to other things like corn, it is much easier to cut foods out of your diet than try to find a suitable formula.  The best way to boost your supply is to make sure you are drinking water, eating enough calories including protein and nurse, nurse, nurse.