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Supplementing question

mbc2009mbc2009
in Preemies

Hi ladies!

My lo was born at 32 and 3 weeks and has been on breastmilk since birth.  We've been home now for 2 1/2 weeks and my supply has been slowly decreasing each day.  I was doing great while he was in the NICU with my supply (up to 700 ml a day after the 2nd week) and now I'm lucky to produce 360 ml (12 oz).  I don't know what happened!

I'm looking at having to supplement him here soon as he is catching up to me (I'm still one day ahead and have a freezer stash from when he was in the NICU and I was out-producing him).  Anyone have experience with doing breastmilk and formula?  He is already having his breastmilk fortified to increase the calories so I'm going to ask the pedi tomorrow how this will work if we have to do formula as well.  He is gaining well and left the NICU at 5.11.  He is one month old today and is around a little over 7 lbs (we'll find out tomorrow what his exact weight is; we weighed him at home by me holding him on our scale).

Any suggestions for improving supply and/or using breastmilk and formula for feedings?  I'm still pumping every three hours, drinking a lot of water and breastfeeding 2 of his 8 feedings.

Thanks :)

My Ovulation Chart 50 mg Clomid/Ovidrel/IUI #1: BFN... 50 mg Clomid/Ovidrel/IUI #2: BFN... 50 mg Clomid/IUI #3: BFP!! Due May, 2012 :) So happy to welcome our little boy, born at 32 weeks and 3 days! Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
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Re: Supplementing question

  • snoangel79snoangel79 member
    That still sounds like a decent supply to me (I had twins and most I'd pump is 80ml in one sitting and of course that only happened once in a 24 hour period other times I'd average about 60ml). Anyways that's not enough to feed my growing twins. I fed my Allison breast milk only for 5 weeks then started adding formula because my supply went down (I  was exhausted with them both at home and getting run down). My son only gets formula and pretty much has gotten formula since he started a bottle.Allison was the one that got breast because she was IUGR. You just end up adding it in when we left the NICU she was taking 50/50. Now I don't do breast milk at all (also ended up with thrush (them and me in my breasts) which is awful >:)). We feed Enfasure by Enfamil it's a preemie formula. I'm not going to lie my daughter has had some issues with the transition. More constipated because of the iron. Also, she does have some reflux. If you can continue to even feed 50/50 for a bit that is great or working with a lactation consultant to bring your supply back up. The only thing that worked for me  for increasing supply was visualzation. Basically put yourself in the best place you've ever been while pumping and close your eyes, for some reason it really helps with "let down". I visualized my honeymoon in Santorini and relaxing by the pool... Not sure if any of this helps as I'm exhausted and probably posting in circles <: good luck!!
    Oct1201212 Twins born at 34w2d, Allison, 3lb,4oz-Ethan, 4lb7oz, both 16 1/2 inches. Out of Difficulties Grow Miracles BestBuddiesBoy AprilPosseMultiLilypie Premature Baby tickers
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  • mbc2009mbc2009
    Hi there, thanks for your response!  Congrats on your twins too btw!  Our little guy is on breastmilk with Enfacare added to it and the pedi said today that if we need to supplement, we can just do the Enfacare.  I'm wondering if that's similar to Enfasure.  Anyway, hopefully we'll be able to do 50/50 - that's a good suggestion that I didn't really think about.  I'll try the visualization as well, but I'm not very good at it - vacation does sound pretty nice though!  I have an appointment at the breastfeeding clinic at our local children's hospital on Monday, as recommended by our pedi, so hopefully they'll have some good input as well.  Thanks again!! :)
    My Ovulation Chart 50 mg Clomid/Ovidrel/IUI #1: BFN... 50 mg Clomid/Ovidrel/IUI #2: BFN... 50 mg Clomid/IUI #3: BFP!! Due May, 2012 :) So happy to welcome our little boy, born at 32 weeks and 3 days! Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • snoangel79snoangel79 member

    imagembc2009:
    Hi there, thanks for your response!  Congrats on your twins too btw!  Our little guy is on breastmilk with Enfacare added to it and the pedi said today that if we need to supplement, we can just do the Enfacare.  I'm wondering if that's similar to Enfasure.  Anyway, hopefully we'll be able to do 50/50 - that's a good suggestion that I didn't really think about.  I'll try the visualization as well, but I'm not very good at it - vacation does sound pretty nice though!  I have an appointment at the breastfeeding clinic at our local children's hospital on Monday, as recommended by our pedi, so hopefully they'll have some good input as well.  Thanks again!! :)

    haha it is Enfacare I didn't have the tin in front of me <: I'm so tired sorry for the misunderstanding/error. 

    Oct1201212 Twins born at 34w2d, Allison, 3lb,4oz-Ethan, 4lb7oz, both 16 1/2 inches. Out of Difficulties Grow Miracles BestBuddiesBoy AprilPosseMultiLilypie Premature Baby tickers
    Report Reply
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