BFing and supplementing

melissa0726 · November 2013

Anyone have any experience with needing to supplement while breastfeeding? How did you know to do it? And how did you determine how much to supplement, was it basically trial and error?

DD2 and I have really been struggling with nursing for a few weeks. And she's fussy and cranky and barely sleeping. I know we're in the 4 month wakeful period, and I know there's a growth spurt expected around this time, but I'm feeling like there's more than those things going on here.

Anyway, I broke down and bought some formula to try. After two days of supplementing a few extra ounces twice a day, she actually slept for more than 3 hours straight last night, and took a 2 hour nap today, which hasn't happened in two months. So I feel like she's hungry and not getting enough from me.

Thoughts? Tips? Should I talk to my pediatrician about this, or just go ahead and continue to supplement as I feel necessary?

ETA: I am pumping at least twice a day to try to keep my supply up, and I always offer for her to nurse several times before offering a bottle.

Rachey1082 · November 2013

I have to supplement due to having breast surgery. Once you answer all of the other questions, I can help you. I supplemented and nursed Jack for 16 months. I'm currently supplementing Sam.

melissa0726 · November 2013

CrashIntoMe1 's questions:

Is she gaining weight? Yes, gaining, but it really slowed down btwn 2 month and 4 month checkups, we had the 4 month check 2 weeks ago. Pedi talked to me about trying to get her to nurse longer and not switch sides so she gets more hindmilk, but that has not been going well.

Having enough wet and poopy diapers? Yes. She'll sometimes go 5 days between poops, but definitely enough wet diapers.

How long did you breast feed before? 1 year. No issues with DD1. The big difference that I can see is that DD1 wanted to be on my boob 24/7 (never took bottle or pacifier) and DD2 isn't the marathon nurser that DD1 was.

Does she regularly get bottles-maybe a bottle preference thing? No, not regularly. She might get one 3 ounce bottle once a week if we're going to be out somewhere where nursing would not be convenient. Other than that, she gets the boob.

LalaMama81 I did get my period back at 2 months postpartum this time, and with DD1, I didn't have a period the whole year I was breastfeeding. I definitely notice a drop in supply while I have my period.

Rachey1082 · November 2013

There are a few ways to supplement without affecting your supply. The first would be to finish at the breast. You would give her a tiny amount with the bottle followed by your regular nursing session. I usually give Sam 1 oz, which is just enough that he will do a longer nursing session afterwards. He's not as hungry and doesn't get as frustrated if my flow is slower.

Or, you can buy an SNS. SNS is a supplemental nursing system that sucks. Jacked used one for me without too much protesting, but Sam refuses. Anyway, it's a little bottle you hang around your neck that has tubes that go into the baby's mouth while he/she is nursing.

I would try other things first. Mothers milk tea is REALLY helping me right now. And, I was taking 5 different herbs. The tea works better than all if that. I haven't heard almond milk, but now that I think about it, the days I drink it, my supply is better.

Www.lowmilksupply.org has tons of tips too.

MrsCase1 · November 2013

I liked this article recently.

melissa0726 · November 2013

Ladies, truly, thank you so much for all of your responses. Breastfeeding is really, really important to me, and all of your responses have been so helpful.

I am drinking TONS of water, eating oatmeal daily. I'm starting Fenugreek today, and will also try the tea.

I offer to nurse almost hourly when we are home. Seriously. When she first wakes up, halfway through her awake period, and then before I put her down for naps. It's so hard to get her to nurse more than five minutes at a time during the day, she just isn't interested, even though she is hungry. So I think that's what's affecting my supply most, that she's not emptying my breasts.

I am trying to pump at least once during the day, but since I can't get her to sleep for more than a half hour - and taking care of DD1, too - I'm having trouble finding the time. I don't have a freezer stash because my milk doesn't freeze well (it turns sour and she won't drink it).

Going forward, I'm going to take all of your suggestions, try to increase my supply, and add in some extra pumping time where possible. That way if I truly cannot get her to nurse during the day, at least I'll have some milk to bottle feed, even if it's only a couple ounces. I'm just so exhausted and stressed out to the max

ETA: my response posted before I could finish. Basically, I'm hoping I can stick out whatever phase she's going through and stick with BFing 100% if possible. Thank you, all of you, for talking through this with me!

Rachey1082 · November 2013

LalaMama81 said:

Rachey1082 said:
There are a few ways to supplement without affecting your supply. The first would be to finish at the breast. You would give her a tiny amount with the bottle followed by your regular nursing session. I usually give Sam 1 oz, which is just enough that he will do a longer nursing session afterwards. He's not as hungry and doesn't get as frustrated if my flow is slower.

Or, you can buy an SNS. SNS is a supplemental nursing system that sucks. Jacked used one for me without too much protesting, but Sam refuses. Anyway, it's a little bottle you hang around your neck that has tubes that go into the baby's mouth while he/she is nursing.

I would try other things first. Mothers milk tea is REALLY helping me right now. And, I was taking 5 different herbs. The tea works better than all if that. I haven't heard almond milk, but now that I think about it, the days I drink it, my supply is better.

Www.lowmilksupply.org has tons of tips too.
That's funny, I thought the herbs worked better. Did take them in tincture or pill form? I swear by the tincture.

My LC rigged up an sns that was way better and both girls used it.

I take them pill form. How did she have it rigged? And, the herbs worked much better when I was nursing Jack. Not sure what the deal is...

Rachey1082 · November 2013

@lalamama81 I do believe you can order everything through amazon. I'm going to try your trick tomorrow.

I have plenty of tissue. My problem is they severed my milk ducts during surgery. They do grow back, but the majority of women don't get a full supply. It's the same surgery as reduction surgery only I just had skin removed.

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