Community› The Bump Message Boards› Babies: 0 - 3 Months
Babies: 0 - 3 Months
New Discussion

going from BF to FF? advice please

SageGreen82SageGreen82
in Babies: 0 - 3 Months

Hi!

 I believe that my supply is very low (LO doesn't seem satisfiedmakes signs of still being hungry after nursing from both sides) and latching is terribly painful.  We fed him formula last night from 11am-7am and I didn't wake up engorged or in pain, which again leads me to think that my supply is low.   I am considering switching to being an exclusive FF.

My question is - for those ladies that started nursing when LO was born, what did you do to switch to exclusively FF?  Did you supplement with formula while still BF for a few days?  How much formula do you give at each feeding?  We have a call in to our pedi, but I thought I would see what other people are doing.

TIA!

Report Reply to Post

Re: going from BF to FF? advice please

  • Aprilmomx2Aprilmomx2 member
    When this happend to us our pedi told us to supplement with 2 oz after each feeding, DS was only about 4 days old.  I kept trying to BF, then about a week later started EPing....I would pump about 1 oz if even and give 2 oz of formula still.... within about 2-3 weeks we were up to 2.5 and 3 oz.  We just upped DS when he was still acting hungry.  I would def. let your pedi tell you how much to supplement though!
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • Starfish113Starfish113 member
    I had to supplement because of low supply. After each feeding, I would follow up with about 1 1/2 ounces of formula. I switched to pumping, and would mix the BM with formula. As my supply dropped, she was getting less breast milk, and more formula in each bottle. So, if you switch to formula, try an ounce and a half, and if she's still hungry give her more.  But that's what my LO was eating at that point. Sorry, not sure if I really answered your question....
    Lilypie Pregnancy tickers
    Report Reply
  • QmommyQmommy member

    I would talk to a LC to see what the problem is before switching or supplementing.  Unless you really dont want to BF.  (nothing wrong with that)

    The more the baby nurses the more milk you'll produce.   

    Lilypie Third Birthday tickersLilypie Second Birthday tickersLilypie Pregnancy tickers
    Report Reply
  • Ivana_StolichnayaIvana_Stolichnaya member
    imageQmommy:

    I would talk to a LC to see what the problem is before switching or supplementing.  Unless you really dont want to BF.  (nothing wrong with that)

    The more the baby nurses the more milk you'll produce.   

     

    Yes

    Just remember that a baby's stomach isn't that big when they are a newborn, so they don't need all that much in the beginning.  I would talk with a LC. 

    In the end it's up to you.  I had to just start supplementing with formula just two days ago.  AF can really make your supply tank and DD's eating about 5oz at a time, I just couldn't keep up with her demand.  I started by just mixing a bottle of breast milk with some formula and she didn't seem to notice.  This morning I gave her formula and once again, she didn't seem to care.

    Report Reply
  • ktjruss03ktjruss03 member
    I had to start supplementing because DS wouldn't latch on properly.  I would pump anywhere from 1/4 ounce at first to almost 1 ounce by 9 days old.  The lactation nurse said he should be eating around 2 ounces at a feeding, so I supplemented the difference of what I pumped.  My supply was horrible and only got worse, so we switched to formula last Friday.  He eats 2.5 ounces at each feeding now.  HTH!
    image


    imageimage
    image

    image
    Report Reply
  • annabelle41annabelle41

    I was in a similar situation.  Based on my experience I would offer 1.5-2 ounces per feeding and let him take as much as he wants.  (Hard to overfeed at this age, and you just don't know how much he's getting from the breast.)

    Seeing an LC would help you determine what exactly is going on and confirm how much BM your son is getting from you (using a super-sensitive scale). They'll probably put you on a plan of combined nursing, pumping, and FF to improve your supply -- if you're interested in that.  But I did that for 2 weeks and my supply never increased one bit.  I'm talking 2 ounces TOTAL per day, spread out over 8 pumping sessions.  :(

    If your supply is truly low, you can probably quit BFing/pumping cold turkey and not need to wean gradually.  I did so and my milk disappeared with barely a whimper.  No engorgement, leaking, tenderness, nothing!

    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"