For Curiosity's Sake part 2

noelani42 · January 2014

Back when our LOs were about a month old, I posted a poll to see how we were feeding them. I got some feedback about doing it every few months to see how it changes, so here goes. The original poll's results were: EBF 65%, EFF 15%, BF with minimal formula 9%, BF with consistent formula supplementation 9%...let's see how it changed! For the sake of this poll, EP is considered BF. Thanks for participating!

noelani42 · January 2014

EP counts as Bf

lillyq1982 · January 2014

I voted EBF but I think in the next month or so I will end up in the category of BF with consistent formula supplementation. I went back to work and my supply tanked. I had a HUGE freezer supply from maternity leave and its going down quickly. I have tried everything to up my supply but I just havent been able to. Love this poll!

noelani42 · January 2014

jdoud77 said:

sabrinakurtz said:

EP counts as Bf

Okay, but some don't consider it as BF

Thanks- I edited the description

Bamgal25 · January 2014

I'm glad you posted this as I was wondering if things are different now. I EBF for the first two months and now I chose BF with consistent formula supplementation. On average, DD gets 70% breast milk/30% formula. I wish it was all breast milk but she is a lazy nurser sometimes (or maybe its just low supply?) and I just can't pump enough to supplement 100% with breast milk.

JocelynB0911 · January 2014

jdoud77 said:

sabrinakurtz said:

EP counts as Bf

Okay, but some don't consider it as BF

I would love to talk to who doesn't consider EPing as being BF. You are either nursing (from the breast), pumping, or sometimes both. It doesn't change the fact that baby is still getting breastmilk.

normandyn7 · January 2014

Bamgal25 said:

I'm glad you posted this as I was wondering if things are different now. I EBF for the first two months and now I chose BF with consistent formula supplementation. On average, DD gets 70% breast milk/30% formula. I wish it was all breast milk but she is a lazy nurser sometimes (or maybe its just low supply?) and I just can't pump enough to supplement 100% with breast milk.

This is me too. I went back to work when Alec was only 4 weeks so my supply suffered. I nurse him in the morning and at night and I try to pump a could times during the day. I'm lucky to get 2 oz between both sides. He is a lazy nurser and basically refuses to nurse during the day so he gets formula.

Shanmarie1083 · January 2014

Last time I voted BF with consistent supplementation. Thanks to a ridiculous amount of pumping and tons of lactation cookies consumed, we are now in the EBF category and have been for 2 months now <:-P

wlux · January 2014

I was BF with supplement now EFF. I

Bamgal25 · January 2014

Shanmarie1083 said:
Last time I voted BF with consistent supplementation. Thanks to a ridiculous amount of pumping and tons of lactation cookies consumed, we are now in the EBF category and have been for 2 months now <:-P </p>

@Shanmarie1083 I'm happy for you and also jealous. For a few weeks in December I was pumping after every feeding to try to increase supply but had to cut back for my own sanity. I tried exclusively nursing for a few days (per a LC's recommendation) but DD lost weight so I felt like I had no choice but to continue to supplement. I haven't given up on BF yet in hopes that we may be able to cut out the formula at some point.

Shanmarie1083 · January 2014

Bamgal25 said:

Last time I voted BF with consistent supplementation. Thanks to a ridiculous amount of pumping and tons of lactation cookies consumed, we are now in the EBF category and have been for 2 months now <:-P
@Shanmarie1083 I'm happy for you and also jealous. For a few weeks in December I was pumping after every feeding to try to increase supply but had to cut back for my own sanity. I tried exclusively nursing for a few days (per a LC's recommendation) but DD lost weight so I felt like I had no choice but to continue to supplement. I haven't given up on BF yet in hopes that we may be able to cut out the formula at some point.

I won't lie, it was rough and I wanted to quit so badly but I knew I would regret it. After 2-3 weeks of constant pumping, fenugreek tea, and cookies I finally decoded to stop supplementing. It was rough because she cried a lot and was never really full, she probably lost a bit of weight too. After about 5-6 days though I noticed that she wasn't as fussy and she was pulling off satisfied. I worked closely with my LC who told me a little weight loss is ok. Ultimately stopping the supplementing was the only way my body got the hint to make enough. It just takes a few days.

Violet1372 · January 2014

Soph will only get formula on days i go to work and don't have enough stored from pumping. But i am currently trying to up my supply so we can be back to EBF

happybride 276 · January 2014

jdoud77 said:

sabrinakurtz said:

EP counts as Bf

Okay, but some don't consider it as BF

I totally consider it BFing, but maybe it's because I EP.

CDMay2006 · January 2014

Graduated from bm+ff to ebf

happybride 276 · January 2014

CDMay2006 said:
Graduated from bm+ff to ebf

Me too! Although I did use a formula bottle once in December

sgautschi · January 2014

@CDMay2006 and @happybride 276

Way to go! That's awesome you stuck it out and were able to get to a point where you can EBF! Not that either of you would be any less of a mother if you hadn't.

sgautschi · January 2014

I was, and still am, EBF. I feel very fortunate. Both my mom and MIL only made it to two months. So I feel good to have passed that mark and hope to keep going!

psychgirl33 · January 2014

I was BF with minimal supplementing, but am now EBF. Considering last time I didn't make it past 3 months and never got off of supplementing, I'm extremely happy with how things are going this time. My supply took a little hit when I tried taking regular birth control, but it's starting to go back up now that I switched to the mini pill. Trying to keep it going up since I'd love to make it to a year EBF.

JocelynB0911 · January 2014

I should add that both boys are 100% bf. We were able to stop adding Enfamil ar to Cale's bottles on Christmas.

eyris · January 2014

I know it shouldn't, but this poll is making me feel sad and jealous of all of you who are still breastfeeding and able to make it this far especially EBF.

Sincere congrats ladies!

sunshine2929 · January 2014

Its been hard with the diet restrictions etc .. but I made it over 3 months EBF and am still going!

CDMay2006 · January 2014

eyris said:
I know it shouldn't, but this poll is making me feel sad and jealous of all of you who are still breastfeeding and able to make it this far especially EBF.

Sincere congrats ladies!

It took everything i had to get to ebf, and i don't think i could do it if i had to go back to work. I'm sure you gave it your best effort, and that goes a long way in parenting!

happybride 276 · January 2014

sgautschi said:
@CDMay2006 and @happybride 276

Way to go! That's awesome you stuck it out and were able to get to a point where you can EBF! Not that either of you would be any less of a mother if you hadn't.

Thank you so much! I didn't think I would make it this long. It's been very hard at times, and I still pump every 2-3 hours (now considering MOTN pumps again). I am not sure I will still EBF by the time this gets asked again.

eyris said:
I know it shouldn't, but this poll is making me feel sad and jealous of all of you who are still breastfeeding and able to make it this far especially EBF.

Sincere congrats ladies!

I am so sorry that you are feeling jealous. Like I said above, I can't believe I have made it this long. It's really hard and with all my supplements I still struggle with my supply. I think it's great that you tried. For something that is suppose to be so natural, I find BFing one of the hardest things that most moms have to do.

RagsdaleA · January 2014

LO is mostly breast fed. She eats 6 times a day and her last feeding is a bottle of formula. I have 75-100 oz always in reserve (frozen) but the formula bottle keeps her full through the night.

psychgirl33 · January 2014

@eyris: Hugs, friend! It is so hard when BFing doesn't work. I am still sad and jealous of people from my first experience with DD1. I'm even kind of sad and jealous of DD2 for DD1 (if that makes sense). There's no making it rational. I hope that if you have another baby you will get the experience you wanted. I feel so lucky to get this experience and am cherishing every second of this because of how terribly it went last time.

eyris · January 2014

@happybride 276 I am happy for everyone who has struggled and overcome it or struggled and made it at least this far, so for real, congrats! It just makes me second guess myself, like was there anything more I could have done. I know at the time it was the best decision to stop for various reasons though, I just have to remind myself of that in hindsight.

@psychgirl33 Thanks!

I've actually thought of the same thing. I look at E when I'm thinking about how for #2 I will try for a VBAC and maybe breastfeeding will work and I'm feeling bad that if it works out for me next time he's getting the short end of the stick. Oh well, it's a learning experience at least I guess. I'm such a control freak that I feel like the universe is just laughing at all of my plans and I just need to deal with it!

noelani42 · January 2014

I was supplementing here and there the first time because of a struggling supply but am now EBF...not sure how long I want to continue it due to all the dietary restrictions...it will be interesting to see where we'll all be in a few more months...

janelleashu · January 2014

JocelynB0911 said:

jdoud77 said:

sabrinakurtz said:

EP counts as Bf

Okay, but some don't consider it as BF

I would love to talk to who doesn't consider EPing as being BF. You are either nursing (from the breast), pumping, or sometimes both. It doesn't change the fact that baby is still getting breastmilk.

Yea, I was thinking the same think. I'd consider it pretty rude if someone said EP didn't count as EBF.

sugarellie · January 2014

janelleashu said:

JocelynB0911 said:

jdoud77 said:

sabrinakurtz said:

EP counts as Bf

Okay, but some don't consider it as BF
I would love to talk to who doesn't consider EPing as being BF. You are either nursing (from the breast), pumping, or sometimes both. It doesn't change the fact that baby is still getting breastmilk.

Yea, I was thinking the same think. I'd consider it pretty rude if someone said EP didn't count as EBF.

Yes I am an EP and let me tell you it's just as much work , if not more than EBF. I EBF my first , DS2 was a preemie and couldn't latch , and never really got it down.. I'm EP and back at work and it is a lot .. But so happy LO is getting BM

noelani42 · January 2014

FTR, the first poll had 296 votes, and this one has only 241...where are you other 50 mamas??

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