Nursing and pumping and formula.. Oh my!

NikkiD522 · October 2013

Hello ladies. So I initially was EBF my 6 week old and then after seeing an LC and LO's pediatrician, added in supplemental formula as well as extra pumping throughout the day along with other measures in order to try and increase supply while keeping LO happy and gaining. Anyhow, so basically here's my rant/question..

I nurse DS for roughly 30 minutes. Then give him a bottle of formula. Then we burp, change diaper, and try and get him settled enough for me to pump. By then, it's an hour after I started nursing... So I set up the pump, strap it on.. Sit there 20 minutes praying LO is content or asleep.. Then drop the parts in the sink, put the milk (if any) in the fridge , and it's only 20 minutes until DS is ready to eat again.. And there's no way my boobs will fill up in time.. That's assuming he makes it to the 2 hr mark., although now he's going through his 6 week growth spurt .. So who knows.

Anyhow, I don't pump every feeding.. LC said try 4 times a day.. But id much rather have enough for LO at each feeding so we could reduce supplementing as opposed to not having enough for him next feeding..

Anyone else in this situation? Am I doing it all wrong? I have another appt with LC this Friday, but could use some thoughts/suggestions.. Sorry so ridiculously long..

boymamaco · October 2013

I find it challenging to pump after feedings too. A couple of things that may be helpful. One - you dont need to clean your pump parts after every part. Just like breast milk itself, any milk residue on the parts will be fine for several hours. You could probably get three pump cycles before washing again if you are feeding every two hours. So that will save you some time and hassel. Secondly, I'd set up your pump near a bouncer. Sometimes I put LO in the bouncer (or propped up in the Boppy) and a paci, and keep him occupied that way while I pump. It definitely feels like multi-tasking but it should help out with the timing. Best of luck!

BellaOso · October 2013

I was in a similar place with my last baby.

My suggestion if you can: Get a manual pump. I have an electric from last time, and a manual I bought to keep in the car and for trips this time. I have yet to use my electric. My Medela manual is fast, efficient and easy to set down. I just put it down and grab baby. No big deal. I love it. No tubes, no electricity, no fussing. I never would have believed how much I would prefer a manual - if I knew about this with my last, I could have saved myself a massive headache.

If you are resistant to buying a new manual pump: Get big plastic bags and throw all your pump bits in there and only wash them at night after little one has gone down.

Other thing: Power pump for 1 hour a day instead of after each feeding. That is what got my supply up with my first. Do 5 min on 5 min off on each breast for 1 hour. Stimulates you like cluster feeding. It worked like a charm.

Good luck!

BellaOso · October 2013

BellaOso said:

I was in a similar place with my last baby.

My suggestion if you can: Get a manual pump. I have an electric from last time, and a manual I bought to keep in the car and for trips this time. I have yet to use my electric. My Medela manual is fast, efficient and easy to set down. I just put it down and grab baby. No big deal. I love it. No tubes, no electricity, no fussing. I never would have believed how much I would prefer a manual - if I knew about this with my last, I could have saved myself a massive headache.

If you are resistant to buying a new manual pump: Get big plastic bags and throw all your pump bits in there and only wash them at night after little one has gone down.

Other thing: Power pump for 1 hour a day instead of after each feeding. That is what got my supply up with my first. Do 5 min on 5 min off on each breast for 1 hour. Stimulates you like cluster feeding. It worked like a charm.

Good luck!

Blah! I forgot after pump parts are in the plastic bag, throw them in the fridge. Sorry.

PrimRoseMama · October 2013

Maybe try pumping after two feeds? That way LO has had some fortification? I'd see if the swing & music might work as you are pumping.

You might consider letting LO sit/nurse longer at the breast if they are not full. The less full the breast the more hind milk LO will get. That might keep them fuller longer. There is always milk barring some medical issue. So even if you feel like LO isn't getting anything they are.

You might also consider Mothers Milk tea before you BF. It takes ten minutes to steep (covered). So you can let it steep while you pump. Drink it after you do dishes & that might help boost your supply.

Get some steel-cut oats and make oatmeal on the stove. You can make a batch in a big Rubbermaid bin for the fridge. I do this on Sunday. The batch lasts me (half a cup every morning) the whole week. So you can make the portions easily. Remember instant is not the same. You need the one that takes a little more effort (of course :P ).

Drink water like its going out of style. I'm talking 8-10 (12 ounce) cups.

I've had over supply since the beginning but some stressful life events, sickness & sleep deprivation hit me hard the last couple of weeks. I even got my period again (rotten luck!). So these things have sustained me. I can still get 8 oz a breast if I pump for my stash.

Keep going. Keep trying. Don't give up hope. We are here for you! Big hugs!

NikkiD522 · October 2013

Thank you so much, ladies!! These suggestions are AWESOME!! You girls rock!!

Great ideas on waiting to clean, manual pumping, and making a big batch of oatmeal! .. With all of this, I'm hoping I can come up with a system that works best for me!

I think I might try power pumping tomorrow... Wish me luck!

magdalina.h · October 2013

I nurse for ten minutes then give a bottle of milk and then pump. I pump every 3 hours during the day to get ready for work.

Scubagirl79 · October 2013

I completely agree with the idea of a manual pump. I actually get more pumped in less time with it. Plus, it takes less time- there's not as many parts and less set-up time. It has made my life easier.

NikkiD522 · October 2013

@primrosemama @mgg242 When do you drink the tea? I got some.. But I'm already doing the cookies, oatmeal, fenugreek and domperidone that I hadn't add that in to the regimen yet.. But.. I'm getting desperate.. So thinking that's the last thing I haven't tried yet...

PrimRoseMama · October 2013

@nikkid522 : I've read that you are supposed to drink it right before nursing. Something like 20 minutes before. I usually make it a habit after my morning glasses of water (2). I drink it 4 times a day.

It doesn't taste too good (like black licorice) but honey or brown sugar with milk makes it tolerable.

Be mindful that if you are like me it might make you get really go gang busters with the milk. The first time I tried it my boobs went crazy.

NikkiD522 · October 2013

@amyg Weighted feedings at the LC are showing that LO transfers around 55 ml... I'm giving him an additional ounce of formula after each feeding. He feeds every 2 hours during the day and every 3 at night. When I pump after a feeding, I get less than an ounce.. When I pump to replace a feeding I get 2 ounces. I have to go back to work in a week and a half so I'm starting to get worried as to what my plan will be then. The LC says LO has a flat palate causing his difficulty when sucking.. Have you heard of this?

And no.. I have not had my thyroid tested, but it was on my list of things to ask about this Friday at our next check since the fenugreek and domperidone dont seem to be helping..

I had a c section.. Is it possible for a retained placenta with that? I'm very unfamiliar with that possibility..

NikkiD522 · October 2013

PrimRoseMama said:

Be mindful that if you are like me it might make you get really go gang busters with the milk. The first time I tried it my boobs went crazy.

I wish they'd go gang busters!! ;-)

NikkiD522 · October 2013

6 weeks 4 days

NikkiD522 · October 2013

Ok.. So he's normally feeding 9-10 times a day and not taking the full bottle all of the time.. And then other times is angry that there isn't enough in the bottle. Also, just recently I stopped giving him a bottle overnight and just nursing bc I've feel fuller and he has seen satisfied so I think reducing the supplement has kinda already started. With that said, just this past two weeks since we've began the supplementing, he's been spitting up every feeding. I've been in contact with his pediatrician and I'm trying to determine if it's too much food, formula doesn't agree with his tummy, getting the formula too fast, or reflux. I've ruled out the type of formula and reduced the supplementing, as well as having the slowest flow nipple I could find and he's still spitting up.. So that leaves reflux.

As for how long he'll nurse.. I normally let him at the breast as long as he wants.. Sometimes it'll be 8-9 minutes.. Other times it's 15-20. Just recently he has seemed frustrated at the breast.. I'm worried it's bc of the bottle being easier , but I'm doing all I can to make it difficult for him to get the formula. I have done compressions specifically at these times hoping it speeds up the flow.

I also have a scale- it's not a hospital grade one.. But I could use that and so weighted feedings and see what that shows me,.. Our weighted consultations have been in the late am. I'm not sure if my hospital has a scale I can borrow, but I'll ask when I go in.

I would hope that after the 3 visits we've had with an LC, if LO was tongue tied they would have identified that.. Is it possible for me to see it? I'll have up google it to see what it looks like.. My nipples are still sore.. LC said it was due to his palate.

Right now I'm using an ameda pump, but have also used medela.. Both yield the same results. I'm pumping between 10-20 minutes ., normally closer to 20.

I'm definitely taking in at least 500 extra calories.. But I can add In some more along with more water for extra measure. I'm also going to try the tea tomorrow.

I think that covers everything. I think ill also call the dr tomorrow and see about testing for thyroid.. Is there a particular test I should request or will my OB know? I've been on the domperidone for a week now... Should I have seen results by now? I do feel like maybe I've seen a slight increase.. But it could be any of the numerous things I've added.

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Nursing and pumping and formula.. Oh my!

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