Supplementing- How to start?

jackdaniels13 · February 2014

I've struggled with my supply the entire time and now I am a few ounces short for bottles the next day... my question is how do I supplement? Do I mix with what milk I do get and just divide all three bottles equally and top off with formula? I've tried looking online and it gives you all the go to's to boost which I've done them all. If any of you have BTDT I would love to hear your solution or advice.

TIA

normandyn7 · February 2014

You can do whichever works for your LO. When I started supplementing I was mixing half BM with half formula. That way DS could get used to the taste. He has never had an issue with taking formula. Eventually I was doing one full bottle of BM and the last bottle of the day was full formula. Now he is EFF. But I would start with mixing half with BM and formula. The only thing I don't like about doing that is if he doesn't finish the bottle then you have to toss it out since formula spoils fast. And I hated throwing out BM. So keep that in mind.

Honeyb416 · February 2014

My LC says to keep them separate...so if your a few oz short then fill as many bottles as you can with full BM and save the extra, then the other bottles with full formula. You should try to give the formula for the first time before you let daycare give it.

Jenly117 · February 2014

If you're just going to supplement with formula, it's one scoop/2oz. I agree with pp. Don't mix your milk with the formula. You can always give an oz or 2 of milk and then another bottle of formula. Good luck!

jackdaniels13 · February 2014

Thanks ladies! I had no clue on how to start and after what I pumped today I know I'll be supplementing soon. She has had formula before just to make sure it was ok with her tummy & she did great.

Salemkitty13 · February 2014

When we were supplementing when he was a newborn I'd give him what breast milk I had. If he seemed like he was still hungry I would offer formula. I didn't mind throwing away formula but I got really upset if breast milk was wasted.

mistyflame · February 2014

We mix BM and formula. Right now, I'm just pumping a little less than what he needs, so he gets 3oz BM and 1oz formula in a bottle. But I'm tired of stressing about my supply, so I'm going to slowly transition him to all formula during the day. Next week we'll do half and half. I'm comfortable with that because I know LO loves loves loves his food and he won't waste a single drop.

RagsdaleA · February 2014

We mixed to spread the milk out and so LO got use to the taste. Now, her only formula is her bedtime bottle. It's been that way since week 5-6. I found that it keeps her full/content through the night therefore she sleeps through the night.

thedash · February 2014

I just make as many bottles of BM as I can and my DCP makes a separate formula bottle if necessary.

lillyq1982 · February 2014

We don't mix breastmilk and formula. I give as much breastmilk as I can pump and then my mom gives him formula if he is still hungry. I agree with a previous post that I don't mind throwing out formula but I HATE throwing out breastmilk.

PumpkinMommaaa · February 2014

I just started supplementing as well. I didn't have any plan, I just bought some formula and winged it. I still pump at work. But only twice a day instead of three so I get at least one break at work. That alone is so much less stress. I still get anywhere from 7-10 oz. She gets half formula half bm during the day until the bm is gone. Sometimes at night, or when I'm busy or going somewhere she will get a full bottle of formula.

Actually for night time feedings, she now gets a 5-6 oz bottle of formula before bed instead of me nursing her because she sleeps better.

I thought she'd be EFF by now, but I like the way things are going.

Supplementing- How to start?

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