EBF vs BF plus FF

dbos99 · January 2010

I have really been on such a rollercoaster ride with breastfeeding. Long story short, LO had trouble latching, my nips have been blistered and cracked, I am always worried about my supply, and at times I feel like a prisoner to BFing. I know these are probably common issues with all women who BF, but I sometimes feel like it is all consuming.

I absolutely want to BF for many reasons, immunities, convenience, bonding, etc. However, I have been toying with the idea of supplementing with formula. I just feel like it would give me a little break and allow for DH and others to feed him. Lately, DS never seems satisfied with the breast and this way I know he would be getting more. I do pump when I can, usually at least once a day. I only ever really get a maximum of 2oz total, usually less than that.

So, I guess my main question is, would DS still get all the benefits of breastmilk (immunities, etc) if I only BF'd a few times a day? I honestly have no idea how this would work. To me it seems like the best of both worlds to both BF and FF, but I don't know if that is realistic. I am guessing my supply would tank and that would probably end up screwing me in the end.

I would love to hear from others who have successfully done this, or even not so successfully. Any insight is appreciated. TIA!

4realyo · January 2010

Honestly, I think it would cause your supply to tank & you would inevitably make the move to totally FFing. You have to do what is best for you though too, so if you are comfortable with that risk than go for it. I think each mom has her own goals/priorities for BFing.

bakermommy10 · January 2010

I would love to be EBF, but have had a lot more problems than expected as well. I pump all day and sometimes through the night to produce as much as possible, which tends to be about 24 oz, which he eats right through and is still hungry. So I have to use about 6oz formula on top of what i can pump to keep him satisfied. While I know formula can mess with benefits, I figure it's the best I can do. I will be interested to see what others post!

alatchaw · January 2010

My DD for the most part is FF (my supply sucks), but I still BF her before and after every bottle. When I pump I get about an ounce and a half and her bottles are 4 ounces. She also BF's when she just wants to "snack". My supply hasn't tanked, but it was never good in the first place. She is doing well and IMO, as long as you are feeding your kid, everything will be a-ok Smile

MrsDB · January 2010

rest assured that just because you only pump 2 ounces, doesn't mean he's only able to get 2 ounces- babies can get way more out.

if you do have supply issues, i would not introduce formula at all right now. that will tank your supply

have you talked to a lactation consultant, or your ob/midwife?

erinb31 · January 2010

ANY bfing you have done and will do is wonderful for your baby. Do what is right for you.

I am not doing any ffing so I don't know for sure, but I would think if you have your lo on a schedule and always bf at certain times, your supply will adjust to feed at those times.

cindydee · January 2010

Breastmilk is naturally better then formula, but giving formula vs bm is not that much of a difference in regards to its benefits. If you feel that you want to supplement b/c you need a break from bf or b/c he may not be getting enough I say go for it & supplement.

In my case, LO wasn't getting enough, so I started supplementing with formula. I am much happier b/c I feel like I can relax more & I can bond with him in a much happier state of mind. My bm did slow down a lot but I am ok with that since I will be going back to work & will not be able to pump. I do however plan on bfing in the evenings or nights as long as my supply is still here. I'm not putting pressure on myself to build up my supply or anything, & that keeps me happy aswell.

GL!

nickicl · January 2010

Before we left the hospital the pediatrician recommended that we supplement with formula after offering the breast due to dehydration. We did this for about two days (from a bottle). It caused no issues and because we were offering breast first the stimulation for my supply was still happening + it took the pressue off of me knowing that one way or another my LO was going to be adequately fed. We quit giving the supp. formula once he seems satisfied from my breast and was having adequate pee diapers.

However, we have kept the free cans and I'm glad we did. People said it would be tempting to FF instead of BF but that was not the case for me. Although BFing hurt some in the beginning it was easier for me. No measuring, no dishes and prob the most motivating factor for me was that people acted like I would not be able to do it or stick it out.

Now at 6 weeks, I don't see anything wrong with using a formula once in a while to allow someone else to help feed him. To help maintain supply just pump as soon as you can after. For example, my DH occasionally with give him a bottle early in the morning and I will pump and feed when I wake.

aliciamariel · January 2010

I'm doing both out of necessity. When DS was born, he needed more nourishment than just BFing provided. It was a combination of him not latching well and actually needing more food than colostrum. He was actually so dehydrated that at our first doctor's appointment, the doctor, who is totally pro BF, had us give him formula right there (which he downed in like five minutes) and had us come in the next day to weigh him again. I went to a lactation consultant who had me use a formula supplementer (looks kind of like a gerbil feeder that you tape on to your boob), but those were a pain, so we began giving him an occasional bottle throughout the day, which turned into only one a night, and now he's weaning himself off the bottle. I thought that was great, but since I'm going back to work, I'm having DH give him a bottle (which DS is refusing at the moment) so that he'll be able to eat when he's in daycare.

DS never had nipple confusion, he's healthy, growing and happy. He sleeps better when he's had a bottle at night and it gives my husband time to bond with him and allows him to have an active role in his life. My supply hasn't had problems, and his latch has continued to improve.

In The Baby Whisperer, she says the body will adjust to however many feedings you want to give your baby. She said she has a client who BFed in the morning and once in the afternoon, and formula fed once her older kids were home from school and her body just adjusted to that schedule. I'm not sure if it works for everyone, though.

superaunt · January 2010

alatchaw:
My DD for the most part is FF (my supply sucks), but I still BF her before and after every bottle. When I pump I get about an ounce and a half and her bottles are 4 ounces. She also BF's when she just wants to "snack". My supply hasn't tanked, but it was never good in the first place. She is doing well and IMO, as long as you are feeding your kid, everything will be a-ok

Pretty much this.

My LO latched on immediately and always ate well... until we went to the Ped andfound out she wasn't gaining any weight whatsoever. Thats when it was determined (w/ followup appts) that my supply just wasn't there for her. I still start her at the breast, then give her formula to fill her up. After that I pump for 20-30 minutes. It's DRAINING to keep up with it but I really want her to get breast milk - which she does bc she nurses for a couple minutes at the beginning of every feeding and then she gets two bottles during the day of my BM. I'd rather her not have formula, but she needs to grow and w/out the formula, she just wouldn't get enough to eat.

kcisthebombdotcom · January 2010

I've been supplementing from the very beginning. A week after DS left the hospital, he had lost almost 2lbs of weight. I added a few 2oz bottles a day, and as the weeks went on I saw I had to keep adding more and more since his weight was not increasing as it should have. Most people said that once you add some formula, you're going to be done with breastfeeding. That's been true for me. He's still well below his birth weight even at 4 weeks old but now that I have added mostly formula, he's starting to put the weight back on much quicker. I feel happier that my son is gaining weight and I'm far less stressed out about supply/my son's health. I am still nursing twice a day-once in the morning and once at night and so far it's working. I realize that I'm probably not going to be able to maintain this supply for very long, but it's been worth it for me as both myself and baby are much happier. Either way, best of luck.

thetwistedwillow · January 2010

Getting some breastmilk is better than not getting any at all.

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