background: i had a very low supply with DD #1, so she was supplemented w/ formula from 1 month on. i HATED EVERY SECOND of giving her formula.
this time, i've been taking fenugreek, brewer's yeast, and pumping 3x a day since DD #2 was born. she was 2 mo old yesterday. sometimes i feel like she's not getting enough at my breast...she'll be super fussy..pulling on and off again. i often give her the milk that i pump (btwn 1-3 oz each session). DH wants to buy formula to have on hand for days when she doesnt seem satisfied and says for me to just pump whenever she gets the formula. I don't want to do that! I feel like, if this is a supply issue, formula will just add to it. on the other hand, how much harm could 1 or 2 formula bottles a day do?
sidenote: I worked out today...I've noticed that the other days that I've worked out she seemed unsatisfied. By no means were these great workouts: 20 min elliptical or 1 mile jog w/ abs/arms routine. think that could be a possible culprit??
what are you opinions?
Re: WWYD: formula or no?
Yes, working out can impact your supply and it adds a chemical to your milk...I'm sure someone else can post the link of what I'm referring to.
Anyway, me personally, I would give some formula, because I think a happy Mom makes a happy baby, and I wouldn't want to be so stressed out about it. But it sounds like you are really anti-formula, so that's a decision you need to make on your own. I really wanted to EBF, but had to supp in the hospital b/c DD lost too much weight at first, and ever since, she's about 80% BM and 20% formula, and I've just accepted it and moved on. I know that I'm doing what's best for me and my baby, you need to make that decision on your own also.
Good luck with your decision!
the lactic acid in breastmtilk (that someone else was referring to) goes away very shortly after exercise and you have to workout pretty hard to get it.
That said,
I have twins and not quite enough milk for two. I choose to supplement at night because otherwise 1) they nurse non-stop and 2) eliminates the stress. You just have to do what is best for you, but I hate how a bottle or two of formula is sometimes seen as failure.
Not by me!!! Happy Mom = Happy Baby!!! I also hate the judgement, you have to do what's best for your family to keep you sane!