I'm incredibly curious to see how my LO will do if I give him formula. He is an incredibly fussy baby and just seems hungry. I'm just tired of him screaming to find that he wants more food. Like I'm not feeding him enough. I truly wonder if formula is better for him
Should I try a little bit of formula with breast milk? Or should I just go ahead and give him formula for a day or half day and see?
Re: Curious
I would nurse as you would normally and then offer formula.
ETA I'm completely switched to formula so this might not be the best advice. Just wanted to add a warning, haha!
I completely disagree with this. If your baby is fussing and seems hungry, I think you should give what he needs.
I was breastfeeding my LO during his first week and he had a night where he was feeding all.night.long. He was fussing and unhappy. I didn't realize that he probably wasn't getting enough to eat until my public health nurse came over the next day. She suggested that I get a pump (I hadn't purchased one yet) and also that we should offer LO some formula. I pumped and discovered that my supply was quite low. We gave LO formula right away and he was instantly a different baby. He was calm and content. I continued to breastfeed from time to time afterward and continued to pump to try and increase my supply (although I didn't pump as much as I probably should have due to extenuating circumstances).
I was sad that I wasn't able to provide my son with the nourishment he needs directly from my body. However, it is more important to me that he gets the proper quantity from an equally good source than it is for me to have the satisfaction that he's getting it from my breasts.
If your supply is decent enough, I would suggest supplementing in order to fill him up. It's not necessary to quit breastfeeding completely if you have an okay supply.
BFP #1 09/02/11 M/C 09/12/11 8w6days
BFP #2 07/18/12 Baby S born on his EDD 03/23/13
SS - age 12...SD - age 8...DS - 13 mos.
Pumping yields =/= actual amount baby is getting from BF. That's not always a very accurate measure of your actual milk production. I'd definitely do a weighted feed before assuming baby's hungry and supplementing. You'll find out for sure if baby isn't getting enough this way. There are lots of reasons why babies pull away from the breast and fuss. For my LO it's usually because he is gassy (either needs to burp or toot), and sometimes he just wants to snuggle and be held upright.
In the mean time, do what you can to up your supply - I hear oatmeal and LOTS of water help. I know my supply is better on days I chug water vs. when I forget to.
If you do end up supplementing, I'd suggest BF first, then offer a bottle (not sure if mixing it or giving it straight up is better). That's another way to determine if he's really not getting enough to eat.
You might also want to ask for some tips from the Breastfeeding board. They're very helpful and knowledgable over there
How can you completely disagree with this when you did in fact supplement and then quit breastfeeding? I have had many nights where my children fed all night long. That is what babies do to increase your milk supply. That is the way it is supposed to work. It is hard for the mom, but it doesn't last forever. If you start supplementing, and quit nursing, your milk supply will decrease and you will have the false impression that you just couldn't make enough milk for your baby when in reality, you could have if you just would have fed him and not supplemented with formula.