feeling better- baby's getting plump :)

LynsiBHM · June 2011

I was EBF for 8 weeks. My son was gaining weight, but not as much as he should. He was getting increasingly fussy and just didn't look chubby enough for me. I started pumping so I could measure how much he was getting and confirmed my suspicions that I wasn't producing a lot- only about 2-3oz per pumping session (both sides combined.) I tried for a few days to pump and nurse often to get my supply up and it wasn't working as fast as I wanted it to. I couldn't stand the thought of giving up BF and going to formula, but refused to let my baby be hungry.

I hadn't previously considered supplementing (for some reason it was one or the other in my head) and felt like formula meant I had failed (stupid, i know!) So we started supplementing just a few days ago. I nurse him and then give an ounce or 2 of formula. WOW! What a difference those ounces are making!!! I'm still pumping too, but he seems to like the formula and have no problem going back and forth. He is happier throughout the day and has already gained noticable chubbs!

I no longer feel like I've failed and only wish I had done this sooner!! If anyone's on the fence about supplementing, try it for a few days!

Nicki Boston · June 2011

This is a great post for me, as I go back to work monday and I'm worried that trying to EBF is going to be hard. LO is definitely an on demand feeder so trying to pump enough and plan is stressing me out. I'm going to try it for a week but I've definitely been thinking about supplementing a bottle of formula a day so that she doesn't go hungry.

Good to hear things are going well!

Lisa7310 · June 2011

I was in a similar situation, but DS wasn't gaining weight. He actually lost quite a bit! We ended up supplementing. It was hard at first to give him formula, but I finally came to the conclusion that it was what was best for him at the time. Be aware though that you pump less than what LO gets from BFing.