Considering switching to formula

BlkPearlLatina · January 2013

Hi all,

I've got a 4 week old that I've been mostly feeding breastmilk. I've been pumping 3-4 times a day for 30 minutes and my output has been increasing, but not fast enough to keep pace with my son's increasing appetite. My pumping sessions have become painful for the last few minutes of each session. It's gotten to where we're feeding him formula 2-3 times a day because I've run out of breastmilk. We have a seemingly endless supply of formula from my mom who's a nursery RN, so it's not as though we'd have to spend money on formula. I'm considering stopping pumping altogether and going exclusively to formula, but I'm feeling guilty about it, like I'm not doing what's best for my son. Any thoughts, ladies ?

mben1119 · January 2013

First, why aren't you nursing? Second, 3-4 times a day to exclusively pump for a month old baby isn't nearly enough. You should be pumping every 2 hours to get your supply up and regulated.

drpayne · January 2013

mabenner1:
First, why aren't you nursing? Second, 3-4 times a day to exclusively pump for a month old baby isn't nearly enough. You should be pumping every 2 hours to get your supply up and regulated.

All of this. Nursing is going to stimulate your supply WAY more than a pump will. Nursing on demand is the best thing you can do if you want to continue BF.

mamaHippo23 · January 2013

First stop and think if you really want to make BFing work and if you're willing to keep trying. If you are then don't give up just yet, b/c it takes a couple months for both you and the baby to get into a good rhythm and feel physically comfortable with it. Like PP said you have to either nurse or pump religiously every 2-3 hrs to keep your supply up.

That being said....I switched to FF after a few weeks and never looked back, because it was the right decision for me and my son. I was not as committed to BFing and had not really prepared for it like I should have, so we were all totally stressed and miserable. Your LO will definitely know if you're frustrated and you don't want to spend all your time being an unhappy mama. Yes, some people may disagree w/ your choices and will make you feel bad, but so what? It is your life, your family, and your happiness. I don't feel guilty for using formula and see no reason to.

laurenhankey · January 2013

Pumping and BFing is hard work but you have to sit and think about what's best for your LO. it takes a lot of dedication on your part with time, watching what you eat and put in your body. There is nothing wrong w/ FF or BF/pumping AND FF. I EBF for several weeks and eventually began to supplement w/ formula bc my LO wasn't gaining weight so we didn't have a choice. She just went exclusively to formula yesterday (except for solids, too). It was emotional for me but it's a choice you have to make and decide whats best for you and your LO.

Now, if you choose to continue pumping you have to be very consistent. I did it every 3 hrs MAX 24 hrs a day. That meant setting my alarm to get up in the middle of the night to pump since LO was STTN at 12 weeks. I pumped 3 times a day at work (which sucked but I had to!), I took fenugreek, drank mother's milk tea and ate foods to increase my supply.

Good luck in whichever you choose!

itsmevkb · January 2013

Formula isn't going to harm your baby nor is breast milk going to work some kind of magic and make your baby perfect. Feeding your baby, however you choose to do so, is what's best for him so decide which way you feel most comfortable with and commit to it. If you decide to continue pumping I agree with the other posters who said you will probably need to pump more to build your supply.

CottonGirl · January 2013

itsmevkb:
Formula isn't going to harm your baby nor is breast milk going to work some kind of magic and make your baby perfect.

Love this! Do what's going to make you and your baby happy!

watermellens · January 2013

Ditto all of the above. FF is not the end of the world, BUT if you want to BF you should be pumping (or nursing at leaset 7-8 times a day). Your baby is almost always more efficient at getting milk out than pumping.

mamaHippo23 · January 2013

amy052006:
We have a seemingly endless supply of formula from my mom who's a nursery RN, so it's not as though we'd have to spend money on formula.
I am sorry but this is effing infuriating. And I kind of wish I knew where your mom worked so I could report her.
Either she is steal or they are so free with samples no one notices. Either way it is disgusting.

Hate to say I kind of agree with this- only because we struggle to find the money to keep up with all his formula and there are so many people who can't afford it at all. I wouldn't count on always having a free supply, you should definitely make sure you can cover the costs w/ out relying on your mom's workplace.

BLPL101 · January 2013

DD has had issues latching due to her being a preemie so I pump 7-8x a day including 3 times at night. I have no issues with supply and make WAY more than she eats so I have a stash in my freezer now. You need to pump more often and you will increase your supply!

Kingston54 · January 2013

Aside from the stealing formula issue... It's true, if you want breast feeding to work you have to put the effort in. That includes nursing from the breast, if you're able. Sounds like you've already decided and are just looking for reassurance.

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