The Great Formula Feeding Thread

alyss0nl · August 2014

ksspiff said:

What app do you use? I like data and want to see if a schedule is forming.
'Baby nursing' on iPhone. It was free and you can export the data in CSV format for spreadsheet manipulation.

Thanks! I downloaded it!

avacek1 · August 2014

Well we tried really hard to BF, but LO wasn't gaining enough weight due to my low supply. We tried supplementing and that didn't make a big enough difference, so here we are. LO is 3 weeks and eats 2-3 oz every 2-3 hrs.

littlemissmarla · August 2014

Sometimes I get nervous LO might be eating too much even though she is only a week old.. the past day or so she has been getting about 2.5 -3oz every 3-4hours, we are bottle feeding breastmilk and formula, Similac soy isomil - they thought in the hospital she had a reaction to cows milk. Sometimes she goes shorter stretches, and what's weird to me is that she eats almost the same amount of breastmilk vs. formula, sometimes she will take a little less breast milk but I thought breastmilk it supposed to fill them up more? All this FTM stuff is so confusing lol.

ksspiff · August 2014

Welcome, all you new ladies.
It can be emotional to quit BFing, but there are many advantages. Please feel free to vent and complain here.

ksspiff · August 2014

Oh and once you wean, be on the lookout for a hormone swing!

TugboatSheila · August 2014

So after Felix refusing to sleep between the hours of 6am and 11am everyday for the past week we finally got him on a feeding schedule that has him sleeping in the morning.

*throws confetti*

BBColt78 · August 2014

littlemissmarla said:
Sometimes I get nervous LO might be eating too much even though she is only a week old.. the past day or so she has been getting about 2.5 -3oz every 3-4hours, we are bottle feeding breastmilk and formula, Similac soy isomil - they thought in the hospital she had a reaction to cows milk. Sometimes she goes shorter stretches, and what's weird to me is that she eats almost the same amount of breastmilk vs. formula, sometimes she will take a little less breast milk but I thought breastmilk it supposed to fill them up more? All this FTM stuff is so confusing lol.

Marla they are very unpredictable. They will even out their eating later on. Dd drinks about 3 oz every two to three hours. My friend bf her don who is the same age, and goes much longer. I'm not buying the "ff babies can go longer" shit. Lol

cookieinva · August 2014

We track feedings and, once we hit 4 weeks naps as well. We did with older DS too. For one, I am a total worrier and Type A personality so I like know when he ate last and how much, when he napped and how long etc. However, it really does help to see what patterns or routines are forming when I can see it in front of me in black and white. I am old school and just use pen and paper, that way DH & I can share it since we take turns.

For those coming here after "giving up" on BFing, it is such a hard decision but don't be too hard on yourself. You wouldn't judge another mom for opting for formula if that is what she decided is best for her family, so grant yourself the same kindness. It can be pretty nice to have your body back to yourself too.

glitterclaws · August 2014

Welcome new friends! Share your feels here. We all are thinking the same thing.

ksspiff said:

Oh and once you wean, be on the lookout for a hormone swing!

And this ^

My bear has started fussing/crying while eating. I feel like even with the reflux meds and the cereal in the formula, he's still in pain. Anyone else have this happening? We go to see the pedi tomorrow morning, but if anyone has any thoughts, I'd love to hear it. 12hrs is a long time for a baby who eats every 3hrs!

lindslalala · August 2014

Anyone have tips on weaning? Last time I did it cold turkey and it was excruciating. I'd like to do it as quickly as possible though.

lynnyrd80 · August 2014

lindslalala said:

Anyone have tips on weaning? Last time I did it cold turkey and it was excruciating. I'd like to do it as quickly as possible though.

I'm looking for tips on this too. Everything I've read says to wean slowly by reducing a feeding or pumping session every few days. I've been doing this but got a clogged duct. I know I'm supposed to pump it out, but I don't want to stimulate my milk supply.

ksspiff · August 2014

Weaning: last time I used cold cabbage leaves in my bra and took decongestants.
This time I pumped when engorgment got painful, but only a few minutes. And I took Tylenol for pain. Wish I had gotten a head of cabbage as well.

Reflux: last time we ended up with two meds for a while- proton pump inhibitor and something to aid her digestive muscles. In addition to the enfamil AR. Meds are supposed to take a week to be fully effective. How long has it been for your LO?

glitterclaws · August 2014

ksspiff said:
Weaning: last time I used cold cabbage leaves in my bra and took decongestants.
This time I pumped when engorgment got painful, but only a few minutes. And I took Tylenol for pain. Wish I had gotten a head of cabbage as well.

Reflux: last time we ended up with two meds for a while- proton pump inhibitor and something to aid her digestive muscles. In addition to the enfamil AR. Meds are supposed to take a week to be fully effective. How long has it been for your LO?

No advice on weaning. My milk never really came in so I just kind of stopped pumping. Good luck though!!

LO has been on Zantac for about 3 weeks. I've heard there's better drugs out there, so I'll definitely be asking. We are using Gentlease right now, but I'll ask about the AR too.

TricksyPixie · August 2014

My baby: not sure exact weight, will know Thursday. But I let her lead me- she is eating 4-6 oz,usually 5, every 3-4 hours, but is usually sweet enough to sleep longer at night, upwards of 5-6 hours. She is in a growth spurt now (she is six weeks) and wants more after an hour, so I make 2 more oz. to sate her and go off her cues. So far, so good.

Weaning: I used cabbage leaves and ace bandages- put cabbage leaves on your boobs, wrap ace bandages around you as tight as you can, put on a tight sports bra, take ibuprofen for pain, pump if necessary for just a couple minutes, just enough to get comfortable. That's how I did it. I only pumped once, but yeah. Miserable.

AMcLaws · August 2014

I didn't have to wean, but i did try to reduce my supply as quickly as possible to get rid of the pain. I got a clogged duct in my left breast. I took a hot shower and massaged it while hand expressing. I'm still producing, but no longer dealing with engorgement. It took about a week for the engorgement to go away. (I used cabbage leaves also.) I lived on pain relievers during this time. I also iced my breasts a few times a day to help with pain.

Aab7114 · August 2014

I am pretty sure I didn't have much of a supply to begin with, but I did the cold turkey approach to weaning. The first day I made it about 12-15 hrs until I was so engorged I had to hand express some milk. I was outside the home so another 4 hours later I was home and in significant discomfort and pumped both breasts before bed. I pumped until they were comfortable and soft and only got an ounce and a half out. I also took ibuprofen. The next morning I pumped one last time, one side and just enough where it didn't even cover the bottom if the bottle.

From then on it was very manageable discomfort for a couple days. By day 3 I was barely leaking and they were only tender when you touched them.

I read about taking a few days and dropping a pumping session or spacing them out to slowly stop your supply. I also read you shouldn't bind your breasts as it could lead to more problems. You are supposed to use a supportive but not too tight bra. I would take something for swelling either way as it helped a ton. Either ice or ibuprofen/Tylenol.

emy730 · August 2014

I have no advice about weaning or engorgement. I'm not sure my milk really came in. My breasts were sore and enlarged, but not leaky and I could still sleep on my stomach normally. I did use ice packs to help with the discomfort.

lindslalala · August 2014

DH is picking up cabbage right now

I have leftover Vicodin from right after she was born, that'd be even better than using ibuprofen right?

sarahdallen · August 2014

Hi! I'm joining you guys! My LO is 5 weeks and eats like a champ. Super happy to be FF. I FF with my first but didn't start until 6months. So I have a quick question about amounts. When BF my LO ate all the damn time and downed a 5oz bottle no problem. We have made the transition but and are doing 4oz bottles now but he screams for that last oz EVERY TIME. And I was told by the pedi to do 4oz bottles about 25oz a day and 5 5oz bottles a day just doesn't seem feasible at the moment. Thoughts?! Not sure what my question is just wondering if anyone had this if/when they transitioned from BF to FF. Thanks!!

cookieinva · August 2014

sarahdallen said:

Hi! I'm joining you guys! My LO is 5 weeks and eats like a champ. Super happy to be FF. I FF with my first but didn't start until 6months. So I have a quick question about amounts. When BF my LO ate all the damn time and downed a 5oz bottle no problem. We have made the transition but and are doing 4oz bottles now but he screams for that last oz EVERY TIME. And I was told by the pedi to do 4oz bottles about 25oz a day and 5 5oz bottles a day just doesn't seem feasible at the moment. Thoughts?! Not sure what my question is just wondering if anyone had this if/when they transitioned from BF to FF. Thanks!!

Sounds like it could be gas. Are you burping him? We are at about 5.5 weeks right now and my son will do 3-4 oz bottles about 8 times a day and usually gets about 25-28 oz a day total. Once in a while he will take more than 4 but not often yet. He was about 10 lbs at his one month checkup. If you are hitting 3-4 ounces roughly every 3-4 hours you are probably doing fine.

shanaynerz · August 2014

I haven't been around for awhile, but so glad I found this thread! We FF DD1 pretty much from the start, but I felt such guilt again this time around. DS latched pretty well at the beginning, but DD2 was so tiny, like DD1 was, so she had difficulty and fell asleep on the boob a lot. Also, b/c of my GD, DS needed some formula top ups anyways, so I was like screw it. DH really was pro-formula, too, since it really allows for him to help a lot, which he wanted.My MIL stayed with us for a few weeks, so her help at nights was great while I was recovering from my C/S.

Both babies are now gaining really well; both have gained about 2 to 2.5 lbs since birth! Sometimes I feel like BFing would have been a bit easier, but then I realize that I may have needed to supplement anyways (common with twins). My milk never seemed to really come in, just like with DD1.

Right now both kids eat anywhere from 3-6 oz at a feed and generally go 3 hours between, but we've had a few 4 hour stretches, or even just 2.5 hours ugh. We use Avent bottles. They're what we used with DD1 and they've worked for these guys! We have tons of bottles. I don't even know how many, maybe 16 at least? Need the 1 month nipples, but it'll cost a fortune!

Thanks to you all for your posts btw! Looked into Target's formula and I'm thinking we may switch! We live in Canada but have been going to Costco in WA for formula. And that Brezza looks epic. May need to convince DH.

shanaynerz · August 2014

BBColt78 said:

Am I self conscious about my decision to formula feed or do all of the Facebook posts and commercials about National Breastfeeding Awareness month bother anyone else?

I'm totally feeling the same. Always makes me feel like crap or I'm missing out on something. I'm happy with my decision (plus it's just for their first year!), but it still stings to see. I try to ignore them though, but they're everywhere sometimes!

I feel like I didn't try hard enough to BF, like BFing then pumping and basically making my life about feeding them. I know with my anxiety issues that would've been really hard on me. We all need to just be supportive of those BFing moms (and they need to support us), but not let it get us down. As your LO gets older and you get out more, you'll actually notice how many more moms than you may have thought actually FF, or at least supplement. Made me feel better tbh.

sarahdallen · August 2014

cookieinva said:

sarahdallen said:

Hi! I'm joining you guys! My LO is 5 weeks and eats like a champ. Super happy to be FF. I FF with my first but didn't start until 6months. So I have a quick question about amounts. When BF my LO ate all the damn time and downed a 5oz bottle no problem. We have made the transition but and are doing 4oz bottles now but he screams for that last oz EVERY TIME. And I was told by the pedi to do 4oz bottles about 25oz a day and 5 5oz bottles a day just doesn't seem feasible at the moment. Thoughts?! Not sure what my question is just wondering if anyone had this if/when they transitioned from BF to FF. Thanks!!

Sounds like it could be gas. Are you burping him? We are at about 5.5 weeks right now and my son will do 3-4 oz bottles about 8 times a day and usually gets about 25-28 oz a day total. Once in a while he will take more than 4 but not often yet. He was about 10 lbs at his one month checkup. If you are hitting 3-4 ounces roughly every 3-4 hours you are probably doing fine.

We are burping a lot and he is getting out huge burps. I'm now worried about constipation. His intake has regulated and balances out throughout the day. I don't see any signs of an allergy but may change to a sensitive formula- pedi said to start with Similac Advanced and go from there. Just trying to figure it out...

jennp1979 · August 2014

What are u guys using for formula on the go? Are u taking the can with you?

glitterclaws · August 2014

We were taking the 2oz premixed nursettes with us when he was smaller. Now I'll either put the measured formula in the bottles and take a bottle of water with me or take just one bottle and a formula dispenser.

We have this one -

https://www.target.com/p/munchkin-formula-dispenser/-/A-13991505#prodSlot=medium_1_3&term=formula+displenser

MrsCrouch90 · August 2014

@jennp1979‌ we have a container that holds formula/snacks. We got it at target. It has 3 sections so I add enough formula for 4oz bottles to each section. Then you just move the pour spout to the section you want, and add it to the bottle. It is really convenient.

tourqeyes · August 2014

We use either the things listed by PP or I have the premeasured 4 oz packets that are sold by Similac or Enfamil.

tourqeyes · August 2014

Does anyone do more than one brand of formula? I've been hopping back and forth between all of the free samples. I was curious to know if changing formula was not suggested. We did this with my first son and he didn't have any problems, but this time I have been doing it more frequently until I run out of the samples.

Heather100612 · August 2014

tourqeyes said:
Does anyone do more than one brand of formula? I've been hopping back and forth between all of the free samples. I was curious to know if changing formula was not suggested. We did this with my first son and he didn't have any problems, but this time I have been doing it more frequently until I run out of the samples.

We do! DD mostly takes Enfamil Gentlease (or any store brand version of it), but she also takes the other Enfamil and Similac samples we have. We even have some of those 2 oz. mini nursing bottles ( they are Similac supplement bottles). They are handy on the go or if a bottle of breast milk does fill her up (I try and give her what I can though it's not a lot). We haven'trun into any problems yet; like you, we are trying to use what we have

Oh, and we asked the pedi about this, and she basically said that if baby seems happy and isn't having major gas issues or spitting up issues, you're good.

cookieinva · August 2014

We freely switched around until we used up our samples but now are settled on one formula; did the same with my older son. If baby doesn't complain or reject it, I see no reason not to.

For now when we are out with baby it isn't usually for very long so I take along a bottle of formula that was mixed at home in a little single-bottle cooler I have. When we get to be away longer I will bring pre-measured formula to mix on the spot. We have a container for it like a pp mention, but really you could use any old tupperware or whatever you have on hand. We even keep an extra scoop from our formula around for this purpose so you all might consider that the next time you open a new can...keep the scoop from the old one.

ghostof5letters · August 2014

tourqeyes said:
Does anyone do more than one brand of formula? I've been hopping back and forth between all of the free samples. I was curious to know if changing formula was not suggested. We did this with my first son and he didn't have any problems, but this time I have been doing it more frequently until I run out of the samples.

I did this with Pip.

middleschoolmommy · August 2014

Can anyone suggest a formula for gassy babies that you tried and actually saw improvement in LO's gas? We finally got the okay to start switching from the higher calorie formula. It will take a few weeks(to move from 24cal to 22cal to, finally, reg 20cal) and I'd like to have some options lined up.

glitterclaws · August 2014

We saw pretty good results moving from Enfacare (22cal) to Gentlease as it relates to gas. Unfortunately, we then had an upswing in vomiting so we've switched yet again to nutramigan (elemental formula). I definitely recommend the Gentlease as a starting point in the 20cal options.

Aab7114 · August 2014

We went from similac gentle to gerber good start gentle. I would say that between the two the gassiness is pretty similar; however, he has a much easier time passing the gas with the gerber formula. He was so fussy and appeared to be in pain all the time with the similac. Now he just happily toots all the time.

TexasGirl81 · August 2014

I don't know if it's been mentioned yet but I've heard to help stop milk production, that a sports bra helps in a sense too.

missilini · August 2014

I'm joining this group. I can't decide how I feel about it. I had to start pumping because DD was in the NICU for a short time. She never really to

missilini · August 2014

Sorry I accidently posted my comment before I was done. She never really took to BF. The LC lived in our room at the hospital. I panicked that she was eating enough and they give me some Similac bottles there. I was BF and giving formula like once a day but she wasn't gaining. I had to take her in for weekly weight checks. At 3.5 weeks she wasn't back to birth weight and the pedi and LC said I needed to give formula and then pump. Soon as I started giving formula she gained almost a pound in a week and finally got back to birth weight at a month old. I'm supposed to try nursing then give formula but she isn't interested at all now that we've been doing bottles. I have really low supply. I pump about 5-6 times a day and get about 4-5oz if I'm lucky. So she gets one boob milk bottle a day. I told my husband I'm only going to pump for a few more weeks. I think he's a tad disappointed but I told him not to say anything. I also told my mom I'm giving it 2 more weeks. She was irritated and said pumping will save you so much money blah blah. Um no 1 bottle a day is nothing. I much rather use my pumping time for something else. So here I am. Sorry for the novel.

taylorjeanne84 · August 2014

We went from Similac Advanced to Similac Sensitive for grassiness. I kept hearing how great the Target brand Up and Up equivalent to Similac Sensitive was so we started on that last week and my LO is doing so well on it. It mixes with no bubbles (unlike Similac Sensitive.)

ksspiff · August 2014

@missilini‌ welcome to our club. I hope your family becomes more supportive as they see how well your daughter and you do. Good job in setting a pumping goal for yourself!

lynnyrd80 · August 2014

@missilini - Your experience was very similar to mine with my oldest DS. It was so hard to get him to ever latch and my supply was so low. He took about a month to regain his birth weight. It was so stressful. You just have to consider your sanity in the whole process too. Your baby will be fine. I hope your family becomes more supportive too.

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