Frustrated- ready to supplement?

purtz · July 2014

LO is 8 weeks old. I've been EBF with a few bottles of formula over the last month. DS still can't regularly go more than 2.5 hours btw feedings. I've had clogged ducts twice in the last 2 weeks- ouch! The other day when I was out, MIL gave DS 4 oz of formula and he slept for 5 hours at night. I am seriously considering adding formula, because I just don't think he's getting enough. Yes on lots of wet diapers, but slower than average weight gain at this age. Can I breastfeed and then offer 1-2 oz of formula after that? Do people do it this way!?

JulyMumma · July 2014

As a combo feeder from day 1, I suggest figuring out what makes YOU happy and what will work for YOU and YOUR baby. If you want to be an EBF, then work towards that goal. If you like being able to breastfeed and formula feed than go that route. I love combo feeding - breastfeed when we're together and then use formula when we're not. Best of both worlds in my opinion and pretty much stress free.

mcgeeva · July 2014

Totally normal. I would just keep offering the breast one to increase your supply to what your lo needs and to avoid the clogged ducts. When I was home during maternity leave my son always wanted to eat sooner. Now that he is on the bottle at daycare he spreads out his time between feedings.

eggmankate · July 2014

BF babies tend to be lower on the growth charts than FF. I urge you to stick with BFing and don't quit on a bad day. It gets so much easier even as early as 3 months. It's really hard to be a new parent in the beginning and there is no rhyme or reason for why some babies sleep 10 hours straight and some don't, but from what I understand it doesn't necessarily have to do with feeding practices .My DD slept 6 hours straight at night at 8 weeks while EBF (MOTN feed and then right back to sleep again) until 6 months when she started sleeping 10-11 hours straight. She spaced her feedings to every 3 hours when daycare started at 12 weeks and at 7 months is still every 3 hours from 6am to 6pm.

As to plugged ducts--the more you nurse the more your LO can get them out.

Hang in there and don't let anyone tell you that your baby is not getting enough from you because the vast majority of the time they are not well-educated on breastfeeding (Pediatricians included)--our breasts are a lot more resilient than society leads us to believe. Good luck!

purtz · July 2014

Thanks for all the thoughts and encouragement!

Dzejmij912 · July 2014

Best advice for BF and probably life in general- don't quit on a bad day. My LO nursed like crazy but he kept up my supply. I have never had to supplement so I can't speak to that but nursing on demand has worked for us. Sometimes he goes 3 hours. And in the evening he cluster feeds so I look at that as tanking up for the long stretch. And if you are looking for some good sleep, try side lying while nursing. I couldn't do this when he was a NB but once it clicked, I started to rest through his feedings. Now we co-sleep because it works for us and we get 9-10 hours of 'sleep' through the night. I'm a FT working bfeeding mom so I will do anything within reason to be able to EBF and get some sleep!!
Every baby gains weight differently- I just always looked for wet diapers. Good luck!!

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