BF and supplementing

MariaKeegs · September 2013

I have to supplement due to previous breast surgery. My breasts just don't make enough milk. Just curious how many ounces of formula your little one gets throughout the day? And when do you give it? After nursing? In place of a feeding? Thanks!

csspencer · September 2013

I had to suppliment for a few days until my milk came in. I was told to always offer breast first and then give formula. I would assume it would be the same in your case.

redfallon · September 2013

I had breast reduction surgery 10 years ago. We are also supplementing. I feed LO breast first as long as she wants and if she is still hungry, then we give 2 oz of formula at a time. She typically goes 30 mins on each side.

I keep track of how long she's on and how much formula she gets with the What to Expect Baby Tracker app. It has varied. At 8 days old she nursed for about 3 hours total and had 6 bottles (12 oz). At 9 days old she nursed for 5 hours total and had 5 bottles (10 oz). She also got 2 oz of pumped breast milk. She was in a growth spurt then.

Yesterday, she nursed for 4.5 hours and had 5 bottles. At this point, she is getting 1/3 formula and 2/3 breast milk.

I was (am supposed to be) pumping 15 minutes after every time she nursed, too, but that hasn't happened since she doesn't go down for a nap every time I nurse her. I haven't pumped in a couple of days, but I try to get in at least one a day. I don't get much more than an ounce after 30 minutes of pumping, but I can tell she is getting more than that when she nurses since she doesn't need a formula bottle every time anymore.

thedash · September 2013

I did something similar to redfallon to get my milk supply up. I nursed first but cut her off after 30 minutes on each side if she was just comfort sucking or falling asleep. Then I offered 2 oz of formula and when she went to sleep I pumped each side for 15 to 20 minutes. It was exhausting but my supply increased after just a few days.

If you do give a bottle in place of a feeding you really should pump for a long time right after to keep your supply up.

MariaKeegs · September 2013

@redfallon I had a breast reduction about 10 years ago too. Great to know your milk supply is increasing. I'm hopeful mine will too!

redfallon · September 2013

Our bottle feeding is more in addition to rather than in place of a nursing session. I'm glad that we don't have to give a bottle every time I nurse now, which is what we were (mostly) doing a week ago

mawarren · September 2013

My baby lost almost a pound in her first 3 days of life due to not getting enough breast milk. Her latch is not good and I have to use the nipple shield and also I don't think I have enough milk for her. My lactation nurse told me the best thing to do is offer her the breast first for at least 10 minutes then give her 2 ounces of formula after each feeding. After that I need to pump and am supposed to be pumping every 3 hours. So when I have pumped milk I give her that instead of formula but I only have enough for a feeding here and there.

redfallon · September 2013

OP had breast reduction surgery so things will be different for her. The typical ways to increase supply etc may not work. I also had breast reduction surgery and my LO doesn't always take a formula bottle after breastfeeding and she won't always take a whole 2oz bottle so she knows when she's full. Most BFAR mothers will have to supplement to some extent. It's not just a matter of trying to increase your own supply.

I agree with the bfar.org recommendation. Also the book Defining your Own Success: Breastfeeding After Breast Reduction Surgery.

MariaKeegs · September 2013

Thank you!!

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