Moms who BF and FF

Re: Moms who BF and FF

• oklahomamom09 member

  December 2014

  AmyG* said:

  If the bottle nipple is a faster flow they may down a full bottle of formula but not really need it. It is likely that baby is in a growth spurt and wanting to eat all the time.  that's normal for the first 6 weeks or so, for some that's one long growth spurt.  So if you want to breastfeed, you might want to go visit an LC for reassurance about your situation and supply. 

  If you want to give formula for some feeds, it's best to be consistent, always replace that feed with formula so your breastmilk supply will adjust around it.  If you are just supplementing, a weighted feed with an LC can tell you how much breastmilk baby is getting so you can adjust the amount of formula to be sure you aren't overfeeding.

  Remember there are other reasons baby may be fussy after nursing, including needing help burping or needing to poop or to be soothed and wanting to suck more, but young babies think anything that is wrong means they need to be nursing, cause their tiny brains think nursing fixes everything.

  I've been using the preemie dr brown nipples, could these still be flowing too fast for him?

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• Lilwatz member

  December 2014 edited December 2014

  I always breast feed first (or offer expressed breast milk first).  We learned we needed to supplement due to my low supply when LO was losing weight from birth.  She's 11 weeks now and my supply is still low so we just do a combination.  I work closely with an LC and she helps me figure out the appropriate amount.  I watch for the number of sucks before a swallow while feeding to see if she is getting milk.  If she is I feed for about 20 minutes then give 1 oz.  That is based off of my experience for the last 11 weeks...  I also monitor how long she goes between feedings to see if I need to supplement more.  

  
  

  ETA: I do replace meals with formula too.  Every morning and evening I do a full formula bottle and pump.  I use those pumpings to supplement throughout the day if I can.

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  

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• oklahomamom09 member

  December 2014 edited December 2014

  No the milk doesn't flow out, he has to suck on it. And yes we are. We do an ounce and burp, it took him 40 minutes to eat the 3 oz of milk in the bottle. After the 2nd burp he took a break for about 5 minutes and then started rooting again so we gave him the other ounce. @AmyG*‌

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• oklahomamom09 member

  December 2014

  Thank you @runnershan‌ and @Lilwatz‌ (: I will be calling my dr and a lc tomorrow to see what the best plan will be for us. I was just wanting to see what others were doing too

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• bumpuser10336873 member

  December 2014

  I BF and FF due to post partum pre eclampsia that has caused me to have a low supply. I BF 20 mins on each side first, then give a bottle of pumped breast milk, usually 2oz. Sometimes i have to give a 3rd ounce if she's still hungry. I pump in the middle of the night and usually 1-2 times a day after feedings if possible. At midnight & when she wakes up overnight I do supplement with formula. Occasionally during the day she gets formula if we're out and about or if I don't have enough breast milk to give her. I'm not able to stock pile breast milk for supplemental feedings because I don't make enough. I'm also working with an LC and would recommend it to anyone who thinks they're not making enough milk.

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