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Breastfeeding
BF and Formula
Hi Everyone,
I began exclusively BFing when my DD was born 3 weeks ago. She latched easily and we nursed on-demand for the first week. At our 1 week check-up we found that she had dropped from 7lbs, 9oz to 6lbs, 15oz. My doctor (also her ped.) and the birth center staff where she was born helped me with some techniques and ideas and gave it another week. A week later-- no weight gain at all. I saw an LC and she measured my output-- it was only 1/2 what DD needs and it takes me 45min to an hour of nursing to produce that much. She recommended a supplemental nursing system with one ounce of formula 8 times per day, plus pumping 4x/day. We did this for 5 days and it was exhausting. But she gained 9 oz. in 5 days! Clearly, the poor child was hungry. Now the doctor is recommending that I combo feed-- nurse first and then give her bottle. My body has not ramped up milk production at all. I'm very sad that I won't be able to EBF, but would love to hear from anyone who has had a similar experience and might have suggestions. My big fear is that I won't be able to keep her nursing for a year. Anyone had success with breast and bottle formula feeding on a long-term basis? Many, many thanks!
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Re: BF and Formula
Before you go there...
Go to drjacknewman.com and look at the latch videos. Ask him what HE would do. He answers emails personally (he is THE breastfeeding guru in the world, pretty much--a pediatrician who runs the breastfeeding clinic at Women and Children's Hospital in Toronto). However, I would bet hands down that this will be his answer.
Go on fenugreek and blessed thistle, 3 caps of each three times a day, if you don't smell maple syrup in your pee and sweat add a fourth cap of fenugreek. It is important that you take them both. You might also want to add domperidone.
Check the latch against how he is showing you to do it on the videos, as an asymmetrical latch gets the baby more milk than the latch most LCs show you to do.
Yes, pump after EVERY feeding for the next few days, and use THAT milk as supplement at the breast with the SNS, rather than formula. pump for 20 mins after the baby is done, or for 3-5 minutes after you see the last drop of milk, whichever comes LAST.
Use breast compressions when the baby slows down until the baby will not eat any longer with just breast compressions. THEN add the supplemental BREAST milk and see if the baby keeps going. Using formula every time will make the baby fuller longer (bigger proteins to digest) and will upset the nursing rythem, making it very likely that you will lose your supply rather than increasing it.
Doing this typically gets the production up within three days, though it could take as long as two weeks. In the end, though, the baby will be exclusively breastfed and you will be able to nurse as long as you want.
I have seen many nursing couples go through this and I have faith that you can get through it. It is frustrating that the baby has not gained, but nor has she lost this week, right? It is more than possible to get a slow gainer going in this manner. Jack does it all the time. Again, I would strongly suggest you check out his website and email him with your question. He is a great help.
Lastly, your baby would probably GREATLY improve her latch after a chiropractic adjustment. Many parents are afraid to do this, however, it is harmless (they are gentle, using only their weakest finger) and really a great help when you have a poor gainer.
Hi Casey,
Hmmm, well I can''t say that I can answer your post regarding the "long-term basis" but in my case, short term, I was having a very difficult time w/ my LO latching on and for over a week after birth, the lactation nurses (5 in total) were trying to help out as best they could. Finally I gave up, it was difficult for the LO as he was hungry all day and did not know or want to BF. So since he had lost so much weight, I begrudgingly decided to go to formula, he gained almost a full pund in just a few days! I was thrilled for him, but still sad that he wouldn't BF so I decided to try it one last time and lo and behold he latched perfectly and is now BF!! YAY!! I'm not sure what changed, perhaps I was more confident holding him or whatever, but he is now BF and I supplement with formula at night. I was told by many doctors to continue with the BF/pumping all day if you can, as this is the only way that the breast milk will reproduce itself and so far, it's working. Good luck and don't give up!
Don't count yourself out yet! you can still EBF, just think of the formula as an aid for now, until you can up your supply. just remember that they say every bottle you give him is milk you won't make, so...
my LO lost 10% of his weight, scary for a baby born at 5 12! I used a few bottles of formula, but was pumping like mad while someone else fed him. I would also pump after he fed every time and give him that by bottle too even if it wasn't much!
he gained 16 ounces in 11 days. Today he's 10 6, seven weeks, and have cut back pumping to a few times a week. Best of luck to you and your LO!