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BF mommas who supplement

NLewis1NLewis1 member
edited December 2014 in August 2014 Moms
I think I'm going to have to supplement at night. My guy is SO hungry, empties both breasts, and is still starving. I just gave him 2.5 more oz out of the freezer and now he's out like a light.

I pump enough at work to feed him the next day and put enough for a bottle in the freezer. I have a pretty good freezer stash going on, but I don't want to use that up because I have a couple week long work trips this spring, and want to have enough to last him to the one year mark, possibly a little longer. So this is my plan, and I need to know if it's a good plan, or if I should adjust it:

Breast feed in the am as normal, have nanny bottle feed BM throughout the day as normal, breastfeed after work as normal. Then at his last feeding before bed, breastfeed and then give him 2-3 oz formula to "top him off".

Also, I have no idea what kind of formula I should get him. I know I should get something iron fortified (I think? Yes? No?) but I'm also wondering if I should get him something that would help with his reflux?
Mrs. H
Crohn's Dx: August 2008
Endometriosis Dx: May 2010
Married: 05/19/2012
TTC #1: June 2013
BFP: December 2013
DS: Born 08/29/2014
TTC #2: July 2015

BFP #2: September 25, 2015

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Re: BF mommas who supplement

  • UnknownUnknown
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  • NLewis1NLewis1 member
    MrsDeo said:

    I don't supplement so I'm no help on most of this, but I do know that BM has a lot of easily absorbed iron. So if you're only supplementing 2-3 oz a day, I don't think it matters much whether your formula is iron fortified or not. Of course, if you anticipate using more and more formula in the future, it doesn't hurt to have something that already has all that so you don't have to switch to a different kind later on.

    Thank you! I *dont* plan on supplementing more in the future, but I also never planned on supplementing in the first place.... Is too much iron a bad thing? Anybody know?
    Mrs. H
    Crohn's Dx: August 2008
    Endometriosis Dx: May 2010
    Married: 05/19/2012
    TTC #1: June 2013
    BFP: December 2013
    DS: Born 08/29/2014
    TTC #2: July 2015

    BFP #2: September 25, 2015

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  • htbgmhhtbgmh member
    I mainly pump with the exception of mornings when i nurse him but usually only get 3 to 4 ounces each pumping session so I usually have to supplement with an ounce of formula throughout the day. Before bed i give him an ounce more than he gets throughout the day. I use Enfamil Infant and he does great with it. I just mix it with breastmilk. Ive also used Enfamil Gentlease which i also like.
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  • NLewis1NLewis1 member
    edited December 2014
    @htbgmh is the gentle ease something for reflux?

    Never mind - Google! Lol
    Mrs. H
    Crohn's Dx: August 2008
    Endometriosis Dx: May 2010
    Married: 05/19/2012
    TTC #1: June 2013
    BFP: December 2013
    DS: Born 08/29/2014
    TTC #2: July 2015

    BFP #2: September 25, 2015

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  • htbgmhhtbgmh member
    Yeah it is supposed to help with gas and spit up issues. LO doesnt really have those issues but I had a sample of it and liked it.
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  • wandsandwinewandsandwine member
    We supplement at night and my schedule looks very similar to what you put. I leave for work before DS wakes up so I pump in the morning usually getting 4oz per side if he STTN. So he gets bottled BM through the day and I pump at work. I nurse when I get home and at bed time. Bed time he also gets an extra 2-3oz of formula.

    Sometimes he doesn't need the extra, I think it's mostly during leaps and growth spurts (which is almost always), but I'd say we do it more nights than not.

    I do like enfamil gentle ease. He used to have a little reflux
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  • NLewis1NLewis1 member
    edited December 2014
    This is very helpful! Do I need to make the formula with bottled water? Do I heat the water than make the formula or make it then heat it? I feel so clueless but I've never made formula before
    Mrs. H
    Crohn's Dx: August 2008
    Endometriosis Dx: May 2010
    Married: 05/19/2012
    TTC #1: June 2013
    BFP: December 2013
    DS: Born 08/29/2014
    TTC #2: July 2015

    BFP #2: September 25, 2015

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  • htbgmhhtbgmh member
    I use a brita water filter. I mix it and then heat it in bottle warmer.
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  • wandsandwinewandsandwine member
    We have a filter on our faucet so I just use room temperature water from there and add the formula to it.

    Just a tip: after the formula bottle my LO is usually out but we still hold and rock for about an extra 15 minutes because he may have over eaten and spit up.
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  • chase16chase16 member
    We supplement too. I can pump enough for her to eat while I'm at DC, and she usually BFs once in the morning. In the evening she gets 4oz of formula total, 2 each time I BF. we use similac for supplementation, which she seems ok with. I did notice she spit up a lot this weekend. (She gets more formula on the weekend because my supply is low).. Not sure if it was because the formula upset her stomach or because she was too full. I well watch for more hunger cues this weekend. We tend to be a bit over zealous, since the pedi told us she wasn't gaining appropriately.
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  • klauke_t13klauke_t13 member
    We have been supplementing since the first month. I can only produce 8-10 oz a day, so he gets more formula than bm. Our dr said the iron fortified can cause constipation, but your LO will be getting such a little bit, i can't imagine that it would be a problem.
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  • BlytheMacBlytheMac member
    I BF but have been supplementing a tiny bit all along.  DS is four and a half months and I think we've been through 3 things of formula.  

    Nanny gives pumped BM all day and I BF at night.  DH gets up for the "early shift" with DS around 5:00 am and that's when he gets his supplement.  Usually about 4 oz.  We use the Similac for Supplementation powder at home.  I also have a couple of ready-mixed bottles of it in my diaper bag for on-the-go emergencies.  

    My pediatrician told me only to use that kind that's says "for supplementation" since it's more similar to breast milk.  DS has been fine switching between the two.  
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  • NLewis1NLewis1 member

    This is all very helpful ladies! Thank you!

    I think Im going to put in a call to the pedi this morning and ask if they have a recommendation. My mom thinks I should use the AR formula because its a "rice mixture" and it will help his reflux.

    Mrs. H
    Crohn's Dx: August 2008
    Endometriosis Dx: May 2010
    Married: 05/19/2012
    TTC #1: June 2013
    BFP: December 2013
    DS: Born 08/29/2014
    TTC #2: July 2015

    BFP #2: September 25, 2015

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  • NLewis1NLewis1 member

    weighed myself this morning and Im 13 lbs below my PP weight (I was thin to begin with). I didn't think I was that skinny, but H said "I've been TELLING you how skinny you've been getting, but you dont listen to me!".

    Im wondering if this is why my production has slowed in the evenings? Im not noticing a drop during the day (I pump at work and have been getting the same amount as usual)

    Also, please dont take this as a humble brag :( Im trying to figure out if my supply is tanking, or if LO is just extra hungry at night now. Im going to up my calorie intake during the day to see if that helps (I always eat when hungry, havent been working out to burn calories..... I dont know whats going on) Maybe I should have my thyroid checked?

    Mrs. H
    Crohn's Dx: August 2008
    Endometriosis Dx: May 2010
    Married: 05/19/2012
    TTC #1: June 2013
    BFP: December 2013
    DS: Born 08/29/2014
    TTC #2: July 2015

    BFP #2: September 25, 2015

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  • NLewis1NLewis1 member
    christel811 said:

    I don't supplement, but I wanted to speak on the slow evening production.  I was noticing in the evenings that LO gets a little fussier at the breast.  I've started to cut my last pumping session (3:30pm) short by stopping once I get 2 ounces.  This has helped tremendously.

    This is interesting! How much do you usually get at that session?
    Mrs. H
    Crohn's Dx: August 2008
    Endometriosis Dx: May 2010
    Married: 05/19/2012
    TTC #1: June 2013
    BFP: December 2013
    DS: Born 08/29/2014
    TTC #2: July 2015

    BFP #2: September 25, 2015

    Report Reply
  • NLewis1NLewis1 member
    I don't think this is an option for me :( we use everything I pump for the next day's feelings
    Mrs. H
    Crohn's Dx: August 2008
    Endometriosis Dx: May 2010
    Married: 05/19/2012
    TTC #1: June 2013
    BFP: December 2013
    DS: Born 08/29/2014
    TTC #2: July 2015

    BFP #2: September 25, 2015

    Report Reply
  • Erin0303Erin0303 member
    I BF and supplement with formula once a day. I did this when LO started day care... I wasn't sure how long I would BF, and if there was an issue I wanted her to take it just fine. I've been back at work for 2 months now (sometimes traveling every other week) and the last few weeks my supply has been dwindling. I don't know how much longer Ill last. Ameda is sending a new pump because I think the suction is shot. Anyway....! It's been very easy to use formula when we need it, for travel, for date night... Etc. My pediatrician said find one we all liked since she believes all of the stated differences are just plain marketing (aside from Nutramagen, etc). LO really likes Enfamil for supplementing. She's not a Similac fan.
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  • mindfulmama14mindfulmama14 member
    My LO has started eating more than I produce. (I Exclusively pump). I supplement 4 to 8 oz a day. I have no freezer stash, as he eats what I pump within 24 hours.
    We use Simliac.
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  • NLewis1NLewis1 member
    Pedi gave us some samples of similac for supplementation. We didn't have to use any tonight, as he seemed satisfied after eating both sides and has been asleep since 7 (it's 1:30 now) I'm now engorged and waiting for him to wake up lol
    Mrs. H
    Crohn's Dx: August 2008
    Endometriosis Dx: May 2010
    Married: 05/19/2012
    TTC #1: June 2013
    BFP: December 2013
    DS: Born 08/29/2014
    TTC #2: July 2015

    BFP #2: September 25, 2015

    Report Reply
  • becominggoldbecominggold member
    I was just chatting w a friend about this yesterday. I haven't had to supplement yet buy I may a little soon. She said she would add two oz. of formula right into a BM bottle. She said even though it broke the "rules" it helped the formula be gentler on their stomachs. I haven't tried this myself, but I may if I can't keep up
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  • Erika101076Erika101076 member
    After nursing I offer 1 ounce. At bed time I offer 2 ounces of formula. I don't mix it with BM because then I have to use it within 1 hr as opposed to w BM that is more forgiving! I use similac Alemintum
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  • UnknownUnknown
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  • seamonkey0814seamonkey0814 member
    Not sure if this is an option given your schedule but we used to "supplement at the breast". LO sips formula through a little straw while breast feeding so he continues to stimulate and increase your supply. It took three months but we had a long way to go! LO went from taking 12-16 oz a day to EBF by 3 months!!
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  • NLewis1NLewis1 member
    seamonkey0814 said:

    Not sure if this is an option given your schedule but we used to "supplement at the breast". LO sips formula through a little straw while breast feeding so he continues to stimulate and increase your supply. It took three months but we had a long way to go! LO went from taking 12-16 oz a day to EBF by 3 months!!

    I had a convo with my LC yesterday and she thinks because I don't see a difference in output during the day, it probably isn't my supply tanking, but rather because LO is wanting to "stock up" now before bed because he's ready to sleep longer stretches.

    I did have to give him 2 ounces of formula after he drained both sides last night. He slept from 7-4 when I had H bring him to bed to do a dream feed. He ate without really waking up and is still asleep at 7 am. It's so weird lol! Are they supposed to sleep so much?! Is he getting sick? I wanted him to STTN so bad and now that he's doing it I'm worried something is wrong. Oh, how a moms brain works.... Lol
    Mrs. H
    Crohn's Dx: August 2008
    Endometriosis Dx: May 2010
    Married: 05/19/2012
    TTC #1: June 2013
    BFP: December 2013
    DS: Born 08/29/2014
    TTC #2: July 2015

    BFP #2: September 25, 2015

    Report Reply
  • shaylagirlshaylagirl member
    I've supplemented pretty much since the beginning.  I BF as often as I can, but if Daddy or Grandma or Grandpa is just DYING to feed her, whatever, give her a bottle of formula.  It's all good!

    I use either Enfamil or Similac's Supplement formula.

    When the Nanny gets Kaylee for the day, I give her everything I pumped the day before (usually about 10-12 oz) split up in to 2 bottles and then I put some distilled water in to 2 other bottles just in case she's extra hungry and the Nanny has to give her some formula.

    Works for us, and so far, she's growing at a good rate (will find out how much at her 4 mo. appointment next month).

    Now, for some 'truth in advertising', my baby is the most laid back baby EVER.  She switches easily through the different types of bottles I own, doesn't care what nipple is used, isn't too fussy about what temperature her formula is at, etc.  And, she's been STTN since she was about a month to a month and a half old.  So, not sure how helpful any of this is.  But this is what we're doing and it's working for our little girl.
    image

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Proud Mother to 16 year old Austin (MCJROTC Sgt., Trumpet playing "Band Nerd" and hopeful Air Force Pilot!)
    Proud Stepmother to 12 year old Josh (Baseball playing, Saxophone playing "Band Nerd" and hopeful Doctor!)
    Proud Mother to baby Kaylee (Stuffed toy playing, Adorable smiling baby and hopeful Rodeo Princess!)

     
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  • rstarrlemaitrerstarrlemaitre member
    I think I'm going to join the supplement team soon. I'm drinking as much water as I can stand each day and have upped my caloric intake, but I'm still losing weight and little man is draining me dry every day. So far I've been able to tap into my stash of pumped milk whenever he's still crying from hunger after emptying both breasts, but I'm down to my last 3 oz in the freezer :(

    I know there's nothing wrong with supplementing, and I have Earth's Best soy formula ready to go, but I'm still sad knowing I can't produce what DS needs, so I'm right there with you @NLewis1 !
    image

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