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Babies: 3 - 6 Months
SDKelli
member
BFers who Supplement...At what point will you stop BFing?
SDKelli
member
When I first went back to work, I was producing about 4 oz per session x's 3 sessions, so 12 oz of milk a day, which was enough to feed my DD while she was at day care. BUT lately I am only producing 2 oz per session x's 3 sessions, so 6 oz a day! My supply has dropped by 50%! I am eating oats and trying to drink lots of water, but nothing is helping. When we are at home I breastfeed, then give a bottle of about 3 oz to make up the difference.
I want to keep going as long as possible but have to be practical too. My little one also has a Milk Protein alllergy so I have to be extra careful what I eat. Her formula is way expensive though....Alimentum $27.00 a can!
Just curious if this has happened to anyone else and if so, at what point are you going to stop BFing? I know they say every bit of BM is precious, but at what point does it get to be no longer worth it?
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Re: BFers who Supplement...At what point will you stop BFing?
Each day I have to give myself a pep talk to continue! I pump as often as I can but only end up with about 6 oz a day
I figure it's better to give him a little bit than none at all. I originally wanted to bf until 6 months...so I'll re-evaluate then.
Good luck!
I just went back to school a few weeks ago, and LO is in daycare for 4 hours/day. I have never been able to pump very much, I'm lucky to get 4 oz out of several pumping sessions. It's ridiculous. I have to send one bottle of breast milk and one bottle of formula to daycare, as LO eats every 1.5-2 hours there, and doesn't really nap.
I was just talking about this to my husband last night, and I don't know when I'll stop. I HATE pumping. I wouldn't mind it if I was actually able to produce enough to feed him. This morning I pumped and only got 1/2 ounce out of one side. SO FRUSTRATING. I breastfeed as much as possible and he still seems to be getting satisfied from that. No idea what I'll do if my supply really starts to go downhill. I feel like it has dwindled a little bit, especially my right side, I barely get anything when I pump, and he always wants the other side when I start there. I'm hoping to get to at least 6 months, but will continue to do it as long as I can.
Sounds like there are alot of us in the same boat!!!
FWIW, I asked the pediatrician about this and she said to stop when it becomes a nuisance for me or if I am only producing 1/5 or less of her daily intake. I just did the math so for me I guess that's when I get down to only feeding her about 5-6 oz total of BM (including both pumping and at home sessions). Right now I estimate she gets about 12 oz of BM a day and the rest is formula, so this dairy will be open a while longer.
Wow I am so glad to read all the posts. I am in the same situation and a girlfriend of mine just had her little one and I am supporting her as an EP mom that has to supplemment. I dont produce enough and I am able to pump maybe 12 oz a day but he wont nurse. He gets super angry because I dont squirt fast enough for him. I am a teacher and I pump 3 times durring the school day, 1 time before school and 3-4 more times at home. I want to quit but pep myself up daily to keep it up. I said I would do it until 6 months which is the end of the school year so a natural transition point in the year for our house.
HTH but it is nice to talk to others in the same boat.