Help! Just gave my baby formula...

danielle0278 · October 2010

I am feeling really upset right now.

I just had my little one on saturday. The first day she nursed great, latch was wonderful and she seemed content. Then sunday night I am not sure what happened but she was like a completely different baby. She was really fussy, would latch on eventually but she seemed so frantic that she was not getting anything, then she started doing this ear piercing scream in frustration. She acted like she was just not content and would cry and scream during breastfeeding in frustration and was almost unconsolable at times. But I remained persistant and just tried to nurse her, when she would calm down enough she did great. But tonight has been the same story and I just couldn't see her in pain anymore. So I broke down and gave her 2 oz of formula and now she is fast asleep in her crib. I just think we are both so exhausted after 2 nights of both of us not sleeping.

But I can't help but feel horrible that I gave her formula since I really want to breastfeed exculsively. I cried while I gave her the bottle but yet at the same time is so nice to see her feeling full and sleeping again. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Should I just try nursing then offering formula to supplement until my supply comes in? I am at a lost. Help!

Jaffytaffy · October 2010

Don't worry about it, I went through this exact same thing, it'll be much better once your milk comes in. The more you nurse, the sooner it will come in, try to nurse her before she starts crying for food, that way she won't be desperately hungry, and it will be easier to get her to latch, or if she is already really hungry, try giving her just enough formula to get her past the point of being frantic, and then switch her to the breast. Once your milk does come in, try not to supplement though, because those first few weeks are really when your supply is being established. My pediatrician told me only to supplement w/ formula after she nurses if she's emptied both breasts and is still hungry. Hang in there, it gets better!

hollowstar · October 2010

My son was doing the same thing - the piercing screams, not wanting to latch even though he was clearly hungry - and PP is right, it was a late indicator of hunger. We started paying really close attention to when he sucks on his hands or smacks his lips and offer him the breast as soon as we notice any cue, or every time he wakes up. The tantrums are at a stop now.

Also, when he is really upset and doesn't want to latch, I'll lay him in bed with me at my side and let him feed that way, the way we usually do in the middle of the night, and he doesn't writhe around the way he does if I try a cradle hold when he's already crying.

Good luck! Put away the formula if you can but don't feel guilty for what you've already given - It sounds like it gave you a needed break to refocus.

arishia · October 2010

Don't stress too much, mama. Just stay calm and be patient - it's a learning experience for both of you. Sometimes it felt like it would take forever to get DS latched on, but I always eventually did it.

You don't need to supplement - you need to keep feeding in order to bring your milk in. Feed 24/7 if that's what it seems like your baby needs. How often are you feeding her? If it seems like she's getting too stressed at the 2 hour mark, then feed her earlier. Don't let her get too hungry and that might help.

GL!

emberlee3 · October 2010

Another plug for feeding baby BEFORE she is crying. I had the same struggles with my LO until I figured out his early hunger cues. As soon as I saw him smack his lips or put his fist to his mouth, I put him to the breast and he nursed SO much better. Really, I think this was the number one thing that helped us get through the first few weeks of BFing.

Good luck!

jenn&Dave2005 · October 2010

another vote for find a lactation consultant. They're great, and I felt so much better having someone tell me yes i was doing it right.

ladybug8510 · October 2010

emberlee3:
Another plug for feeding baby BEFORE she is crying. I had the same struggles with my LO until I figured out his early hunger cues. As soon as I saw him smack his lips or put his fist to his mouth, I put him to the breast and he nursed SO much better. Really, I think this was the number one thing that helped us get through the first few weeks of BFing.
Good luck!

This! Just offer to nurse all the time, whenever you think the baby is hungry.

But one bottle of formula is not the end of the world. Your baby was hungry and you fed her. You know that formula isn't what you want long term, so just try to keep on top of feeding her before she is starving. Remember she has never felt hunger before, so this is new to her and it's not a good feeling. It will get better, promise!!

ejh090305 · October 2010

It is okay. My milk didn't come in until late on day 4 after giving birth. Her weight went down too much and we supplemented for a little while until things were under control. Now here we are at week 15 and have EBF since before 3 weeks. You have to do what is best for the baby. Sounds like you did the right thing. Formula isn't poison and you are by no means a bad mom for giving it to the baby. Just nurse as often as you can to get a good supply going.

cmhicklin · October 2010

The nurse had me to pump and finger feed when LO was not getting anything and having a major melt down. My problem was big boobs to begin with, way too big when my milk came in. Don't worry though, our first night home from the hospital we fingerfed our LO 2 oz of formula, because she cried all night and that made things worse when I was trying to feed her. I cried all night too, and for giving her formula (makes me cry thinking about it) but she finally got some food in her belly after not much in 24 hours.

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