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Breastfeeding
Should I feel bad I gave formula?
Should I feel bad I gave formula? Yesterday I wrote down everything I did. I tried my best to always have LO by my breast to increase my supply. As soon as she would cry I would chech her diapers and then feed her. she had 5 wet diapers, but they werent very wet as it was when I was supplenting with formula and BF. I only knew she needed to be changed from her cries and the blue indicator on the diaper was slightly blue. When DH and I was ready to go to bed she started crying more so we decided to give her some formula becausee she looked hungry. She was licking her lips and fingers. And I thought maybe she didnt have reallly wet diapers, she probably didnt have enough breast milk. Please Help me Should I do this again today??????
1) 4-4:30am I BF, then I pumped Changed wet diaper
2) 5:00 fed LO 1.5 oz of pumped milk
3) 6-6:10 I BF
4) 6:40 changed wet diaper, I BF
5) 9:30- 9:45 I BF
6) 10-10:15 I BF
7) 11 I changed wet diaper
8) 12:00-12:10 I BF
7) 12:40-12:45 I BF
8) 1:00 changed wet diaper
9) 1:15-1:25 I BF
10) 1:45- 1:50 I BF
11) 2:00- 4:00 I BF in intervals
12) 4-4:10 I pumped
13) 4:50-5:00 I BF
14) 5-30-7:30 I napped
15) 8:15- 8;30 I BF
16) 9:40 I pumped
17) 9:30 changed wet diaper
18) 10:00-10:15 I BF
19) 10:45 DH fed LO 1 oz of pumped milk
20) 11:30 DH fed 3.75 oz Formula
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Re: Should I feel bad I gave formula?
How much were you supplementing before? It's not the end of the world to give some formula (especially since she's had it before). You should never *feel bad* about feeding your baby. You're taking care of her the best way you know how.
You could try slowly decreasing the formula bottle (like, by a half ounce every day or two).
You're doing great! Just keep offering the boob like you are, over and over. You can't offer too often - if the baby is awake, she might eat something. If you're really nervous, try to find a breastfeeding support group or book in to see an LC.
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This. Breastfeeding is hard and it doesn't always work for everyone to strictly breastfeed. Do your best to get as much milk in your LO as you can, but the most important thing is that she's eating.
I would give her 2-3 oz every 3 to 4 hours before. Then I would give her 3 oz once at around 1am .
As long as she has the correct number of wet diapers a day, she's getting enough. Remember crying babies aren't always hungry babies or wet babies - they might just be scared or tired or cold or just need to cry.
Also, they usually take more formula than they do BM.
Doubly also, make sure make sure you keep up with nursing so your supply is good. I've had so many friends that started supplementing to make themselves more comfortable, but then their supply tanked.
We were all there before with the whole "is my baby eating enough?!' worry. You can do it, I promise.
All of this...don't feel bad if you have to supplement occasionally. The important thing is not 100% breastfed, but that your baby is fed. You're working on BFing, so as long as you continue to offer the breast, that's what matters.
Also, have you thought about working with either LLL or an LC to check the latch? Maybe a better latch would allow for your LO to get more milk, so you wouldn't have to supplement. Just a thought.
Then you've come a long way!
Keep on doing what you're doing, and if you want to taper off the last formula bottle, that might help your confidence.
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You should never feel bad about taking care of your baby. You are paying attention and trying to do everything to ensure she is taken care of. Why would you feel bad about that. Don't do that to yourself. Here is my advice: Sometimes babies go through growth spurts and need to eat more. If you notice this then don't pump throughout the day. Just constantly feed. Not only will you build up your milk supply but you won't have to supplement. If you do its not the end of the world but keep in tune with what LO is needing and adjust. Breastfeeding is difficult but the best advice is to adjust to what the baby needs. I wish you luck, it can be difficult.