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Supplementing question

Ekg688Ekg688 member
in Breastfeeding
Hello Ladies!
I'm lurking over here from the July '14 board! I've posting this question on our breastfeeding board but thought I'd reach out here as well!

My DD has been EBF since day 1 (she's 4w, 3d). No latching issues, no weight issues, takes a bottle of expressed milk, basically a dream baby. I've been pumping when I can with varying results. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to supplement with formula once I go back to work. The pedi wants me to start supplementing now so DD is adjusted.

A lot of mom's on our board used Enfamil Gentlease, which I have samples of and was going to use. However, I also have samples of Enfamil Supplementing. Has anyone used the supplementing? If so, how was it on LO's tummy? Or did you use something else and prefer that?

Thanks for you help :)
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Re: Supplementing question

  • vvvvvfeevvvvvfee member
    why do you need to supplement with formula when you go back to work?
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  • Ekg688Ekg688 member
    I haven't been able to build up and adequate stash of milk. Generally, I've only been able to pump MAX 4 oz per day. Some days I only get an oz.
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  • vvvvvfeevvvvvfee member
    are you going to be pumping at work?

    you really only need enough milk in reserve for the first day of daycare- about 12-16 ounces. after that, you can send what you've pumped the previous day.

    some days you will hopefully have an ounce or two extra that you can freeze, so you can build up a stash that way, to make up for other days when you don't pump enough.

    it is absolutely normal to only be able to pump about an ounce at a time when you are also BFing full time and not missing any feedings. you just freeze a little at a time until you get enough for the first day of DC.

    when you are at work and are missing feedings with your LO, you will get much larger quantities of milk- maybe 4-6 ounces per pumping session.
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  • flclflcl member
    casey78 said:
    Actually 4oz a day when EBF is a very strong pump output.  Less than an ounce extra a day is normal.  As PP said, you only need enough milk to go back the first day -- about an ounce or a touch more an hour.  You will get so much more when you pump to replace feedings.

    Most employers within the US must provide accommodations to allow BF mothers to pump.  If you'd like any support around that, please just ask.
    This and what other PPs have mentioned.  Unless you weren't planning to pump at work or if you have other reasons you wanted to start supplementing, it seems like you can continue to EBF if that's your goal.  I'm sorry but I don't know much about formula so I can't help you there.  If you do want to pursue finding one that works for your LO, there is a formula board that may have info too!  GL!
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  • operaghostoperaghost member
    I knew I was going to have to start supplementing w/ formula once I went back to work, because there was no way I would be able to pump enough to feed LO.  My job is extremely hectic and I'm only able to pump once right before I leave for work (I have a short commute) and then again in the middle of the day.  What I started doing a week or so before I headed back was mixing a little bit of formula (I used Emfamil Newborn) with expressed milk and giving it to LO in a bottle.  I gradually increased the amount of formula until LO was getting one formula bottle a day.  So far I haven't noticed any problems with gas/fussiness (beyond normal baby fussiness). 

    Good luck to you! Don't feel bad about giving LO formula.  Any amount of milk you can give your baby is great and if you are stressed about pumping that won't help anyone. 
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