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November 2012 Moms
ssmb_clarinet
member
BF turned FF mommas...help
ssmb_clarinet
member
So I think BF is over for me and as much as it makes me feel like a horrible momma, what is even more horrible is last night as I was trying to get LO to sleep for 2 hours and she kept crying and crying DH made her a 4oz bottle of formula, she sucked it down like she was starving and went to bed 10 minutes later. I have been starving my child. Oy.
Anywho....for those who have switched from BF to FF, how did you go about it? I have some milk, but not enough to satisfy LOs huge appetite. Can I nurse some and feed a bottle after? If I decide no more BF, how does the drying up process work? I never get engorged anymore, not even if she sleeps for 7 or 8 hours...so will it even effect me?
I sat there in the rocking chair feeding her that bottle last night just bawling. DH reminded me today that as long as I am feeding her I am a good mom, doesn't matter what she eats. But after fighting so hard for so long I am just devastated. Her 6 month growth spurt is too much for me to handle I guess. I have quite the food hound on my hands. But I guess whatever makes her happy makes me happy, right? Hoping the horrible funk hanging over my head about this clears soon. Sorry for being whiny. Thanks for any help/advice you can give.
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Re: BF turned FF mommas...help
We supplemented with LO1, I BF her first then offered a bottle. I ended up drying up for good around 6m. I was never engorged, or in pain.
With LO2, I give him a bottle of formula at night because I haven't been able to keep up for some reason at bedtime, so I offer the breast first then offer 4 ounces of formula.
You could start by offering the breast first and 4 ounces of formula. You can mix BM and formula as well, just mix the formula with water and add the BM you have. If I'm not home and LO2 gets only a bottle of formula he gets 6 oz.
its hard to tell you how much because only you can tell if LO is still hungry after 4 ounces or 6 or 8.
? Voted Cool Cat ~ 2012 Sweetpea Mom Awards ?
I have not experienced exactly what you are, but during growth spurts it is also hard for me to keep up with D's eating. In the past I have just increased his time at the breast during the day to try and help stimulate more milk production and remind myself that the growth spurt will pass soon enough.
I know a lot of the ladies say not to make a decision on a bad day. Is this the first time she has required a bottle after you fed her lately? If it is new maybe give it a day or two?
Sorry I don't know your story on breast feeding so I am not try to be pushy about BF. Absolutely you should do whatever feels right to you.
Hugs
I had to start supplementing right away so his weight started to increase. Maybe have your pedi weight LO and see how weight gain is going?
If all else fails an formula supplementing is needed, there's no shame and its ok!!! I always felt better by understanding that even though he needed formul supp, he was still getting breastmilk! Any amount is amazing! Truly! I was BFing and offering an extra 2 ounces of formula. But in my case the formula supp ended up outweighing my supply and I dried up. I just decreased breastfeeding sessions by one a day every few days until I was down to 1 BFing session per day. Then one day, I just skipped it. In my case I never leaked or became engorged at all. I truly had nothing left. It's so emotional and so hard. But your DH is right! You are feeding baby! And omg you made it so far!!!!!
Thanks ladies. As far as not quitting on a bad day, this was night #2 of the bedtime struggle but the first night of giving a formula bottle.
I have been supplementing her daytime bottles since her 4 month growth spurt. I am a teacher and can only pump 3 times at work and I really think that is what has lead to my BF downfall. I pump barely anything (usually only 11 to 13 oz per day) and she eats way more than that. I really think she would eat 8oz if I let her.
I don't think she has weight gain issues at all, but we will see on the 28th when she has her 6 month appointment.
I am done with school after next week and will have 9 weeks off with her. I think I will breastfeed as much as I can and give her formula as needed. If she isn't full it is impossible to get her to nap, which makes total sense. Any BM is better than none I guess. I just wish I didn't feel like such a failure. Being a momma is hard.
I understand feeling like you failed, but you have not! You love your daughter and are willing to do whatever she needs. That in itself is an amazing show of strength and love.
It was important to me to keep BF even though I am unable to EBF. But whatever decision you make, try to not feel guilty. I know that is easier said than done. But you love your LO, and you're making sure she is fed either way, and that is the important thing. If you missed uconn's post from the other day about "this is what frustrates me," or something like that, maybe scroll down and read it because it has a lot of relevant and insightful points.
You are a great mother. Be proud of yourself and your hard working boobs! And as always, buy those titties a beer!
This happened to me with my oldest. I know how you feel. Formula isn't poison. I had to repeat that to myself over and over. And good for you for being able to give her that bottle knowing she needed it. That's a hard thing to do.
I absolutely agree- don't quit on a bad day. Sleep on it and decide if you want to try and boost your supply after school's out or if you feel like it's time. There is no wrong answer here. It's whatever works best for you, LO and the rhythm of your family.
Good luck! We're here for you, whatever you decide.
I must have missed it, Uconn.
Thanks ladies for all of your advice. Last night I fed her and then we did a bottle, she slept for 12 hours. It was either a fluke or she actually had a full belly for once.
Big hugs, you're doing a great job!!
I had supply issues, too. When I finally called it, the weaning was totally painless, I just spread out my pumping sessions slowly.
"A new baby is like the beginning of all things--wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities."
I don't have advice on the formula part of this, but I totally get the supply issues. I was having the same struggle. There are two things that helped me out big time, and saved BFing for us. First was adding solids. Have you started her on solids yet? My LO is LOVING trying new things, and it is just a few extra ounces of food in his belly to get him through the day.
My supply tanked hard around the 5 month mark though, and I still wouldn't be able to keep up, even with the solids if I hadn't done something about it. My LO's pedi suggested domperidone. I don't know if you have ever tried it or thought about it, but WOW did it work for me. Almost too well honestly. I started with 1 pills 3 times a day, which is considered a "starter" dose. It made me so engorged I had to back off. I was pumping so much milk I could feed LO and make one or two 5oz freezer bags every day! I am down to only taking one pill a day now, and it seems to have me at exactly the right amount.
I guess my point is, if supply is your only hang up, domperidone can fix that. If you are having other issues, then that is a different story. I just thought I would shar my experiences and see if that was something that was of interest to you. Good luck with whatever you decide.
There is only one rule. Feed baby. That's it. Doesn't matter if the source is you or formula.
You are not a failure if you supplement or flat out just formula feed. You are taking care of your baby and that is the only thing that matters. Don't be hard on yourself.
My supply has been lessening for sure recently, reading these comments I am starting to think there's some natural 6 month dip that happens. I'm planning on a week of cookies again to see if that helps bump things back up.