Breastfeeding is hard.

Beabs · May 2011

He seems to want to be nursing constantly. I got a breast pump today and tried pumping after a feeding, and I got not even 0.5 oz. He seems so hungry that I'm considering making up a bottle of formula for him. Any thoughts/suggestions? His latch seems to be ok, but I'm guessing that my milk hasn't entirely come in yet.

Either way, I'm going crazy here!

bakerlm · May 2011

People will try to push you one way or another. I personally chose formula after being sick. I chose to help myself and give my son formula. My pedi seconded the decision. He said the formula these days is healthy. Don't feel bad if you don't breast feed.

ohashlet · May 2011

I could totally be wrong but I'm under the impression that you'll know when your milk is totally in.

He's stimulating your milk production with his constant nursing. Has he had a checkup since y'all got home?

greenclown · May 2011

I would try to avoid giving him formula (assuming he's gaining), only because it could contribute to supply issues. Have you met with a LC?

It is SO hard, but you can do it. I was miserable for a while, but I love it more than anything now. Keep up the good work.

Edited for wording

+diana82+ · May 2011

You're doing a great job - and .5 an ounce isn't bad! That said, if it makes you feel better and gives you some peace I would go ahead and give him a bottle. It's not going to be the end of the world. Does he have a check up soon to check his weight?

Beabs · May 2011

His weight check is tomorrow morning. I called the lactation help-line at my hospital, but they are closed for the holiday today. I'll be calling back tomorrow though.

greenclown · May 2011

Beabs, check this out in the meantime.

Kelly mom

katie4253 · May 2011

If your ticker is accurate, then I think you are really doing fine. 1/2 ounce AFTER a feeding is great. That is 15ml. I wasn't getting that 5 days after birth. That was when my milk finally started to come in. It really wasn't until 7-10 days after birth that I could really see I was getting more milk. Babies truly don't need much in the first weeks of life. Their bellies won't fit a lot.

Check this out to see the size/amount a baby will eat. Really, it isn't much!

https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=251020593286

MrsVonKikabee · May 2011

They do nurse constantly in the beginning. All the nursing will help to build your supply. You can also do skin to skin to help you milk come in.

When my milk came in, it felt like I had 2 bowling balls attached to my chest. So you might not be there quite yet.

I hope your weight check goes well tomorrow and puts your mind at ease.

katcarls · May 2011

I think some people start to second guess things and when you start pumping and supplementing early on it can cause a lot of problems. I would really try to hold off on the formula and the pumping right now, if you can.

They nurse constantly at the beginning because their stomachs are so small. It also helps get your milk to come in and establish your supply. Frequent nursing doesn't mean that he's not getting enough. You probably already know this, but the general guideline for nursing at this point is every two hours, counted from when the nursing sessions start.

I definitely knew when my milk came in. I woke up with rock hard boobs and they had literally grown a cup size overnight.

horizon1322 · May 2011

I'm one of those who didn't feel their milk come in, but the tip off was that DS finally gained a bit. I have low supply, so I'm still lucky to get .5 oz. after a feeding, and for anyone less than a week after giving birth, .5 oz. is awesome! You're doing great!

Personally, I would hold off on supplementing, but do whatever you feel comfortable with. Hang in there!

bancbev · May 2011

First off, I know it's exhausting but everything that is happening is NORMAL. Baby wants to nurse constantly (or feels like it), because his stomach is about the size of a shooter marble and milk digests in about 90 minutes. Getting .5 ounce after a feeding is AMAZING. Most people are getting drops at 5 days PP.

How many wet/poopy diapers is he having a day? That is the best gauge of how much milk he is getting. He should be having about 6 wet or poop diapers a day now.

Breastfeeding is a total and utter mind fvck in the beginning. If you need any support or have more questions let me know. The breastfeeding board is great too.

Oh, and if your getting .5 ounce after a feeding, your milk is in...lol

swimrbride · May 2011

If you are getting enough wet diapers then I wouldn't supplement yet. My milk came in fully about the end of day 5, but we had to supplement on days 4 and 5 because he was dehydrated.

blonde151188 · May 2011

I may be late to this, but I wanted to let you know, when I had DD, she went through a cluster feeding period when my milk came in. She seemed like she was constantly hungry, and not getting enough. I was concerned she wasn't getting enough and the Pedi said it was because my milk was starting to come in and that it's normal. Hope it gets better for you. But like PP said, as long as he is having enough wet diapers there's nothing to worry about right now.

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