I'm going back to work on Monday and I think I'm going to have to start supplementing with formula. I can only pump about 8 oz total in 10hrs/4 pumps (that includes the pump right after her morning feeding). She takes at least 10-12 oz in that time. I'm going to try fenugreek, but so far oatmeal and mothers milk tea have done little to boost my supply. DD has also been a slow gainer and I wonder if it isn't low supply on my part.
Anyway, how do I go about supplementing? Leave 1 bottle at daycare that is just formula? Am I creating some bad chain where the supplementing will hurt my supply further? I still plan to pump 4 times a day to get what breastmilk I can. Is anyone else BFing and supplementing?
Re: Anyone supplementing?
This. 4 times a day won't cut it but 6-8 should do 'er. Definitely leave a can of formula so that daycare has plenty available if they need it.
Hmm, I'm not sure I understand- maybe I wasn't clear. I am pumping at the times I'd normally feed her- I do one pump after the first a.m. feed. Then pump 3 times in 8 hours at the times she'd normally eat (every 2.5 hours or so). All those added up, I only get 8 oz. And though maybe 6-8 pumps would work, finding time to do 3-4 pumps during the work day is already going to be difficult. I'm not sure my employer would be happy about 6-8 pumping sessions!