Breast feeding and giving formula

jenfl0res · March 2015

Hi I'm a FTM been home for about 2 weeks and a few days. I've been breast feeding but recently my milk supply hasn't been giving out as much so I've been giving her formula for the rest of the ounces. I read that she's going through a growth spurt. And is going to eating like crazy which she has. I've been feeding her 21/2-3 ounces. And she has been spitting up a few times. I'm not sure if I'm over feeding her or I'm not burping her enough? And when I give her 21/2 ounces it's seems she still hungry! So idk I'm Getting a little nervous. Should I just keep doing what I'm doing ? Can anyone help?

dreyes4 · March 2015

It could be the formula upsetting her belly. Changing from breast milk to the formula. Have you tryd giving her any gas drops. That helps some!!!

adelems · March 2015

I would think it was the formula. You might try a different brand. Or look into goat milk formula .

KD32412 · March 2015

Keep putting her to the breast to stimulate and you will produce more milk. It may seem like you are empty, but she is still getting enough, as long as she's wetting 8-12 diapers daily. The growth spurt and the constant feeding is supposed to ramp up your milk supply naturally.

Bostonchelle · March 2015

Are you giving 2 1/2- 3 ounces on top of a nursing session? That seems like a bit much. Why don't you think you are producing enough BM?

adelems · March 2015

It's possible that she isn't really drawing out your supply because she is waiting for the bottle that comes after you attempt Breast feeding her. The bottle is easier and most babies will hold out for a bottle if the option has been available in the past. Newborns don't drink all that much, even the chunkier babies and the ones going through growth spurts.

Unless she isn't putting on weight and isn't making enough diapers she just may need to nurse more often and may not need the formula. Your supply should catch up

just make sure you're eating sufficiently, and drinking more than enough water.

elizalegs · March 2015

The best way to increase your supply is by nursing more. Giving her the bottle after nursing is going to cut your supply short - lactation works on a "demand it & supply will come" principle. And exactly like @adelems said, babies will hold out for bottles. Are you trying to pump or breastfeed from the breast? I ask b/c you were mentioning amounts...

jenfl0res · March 2015

No I'm just pumping and whatever I don't pump out I give the rest in formula. She will not take my breast. I tried for 20 mins strait and she had a heart attack but I'm gonna try a few mins everyday n maybe she'll latch on. She got so use to the bottle she doesn't want my boob. So upsetting

jenfl0res · March 2015

Yea I try nursing but she will not latch. She screams n cries I feel so bad. She got so use to the bottle. I'm so upset I did that to myself. I'm going to try to give her my breast for a fe

elizalegs · March 2015

That sounds so frustrating, I'm sorry you are going through that. I would try and give her a little expressed breastmilk and then try again getting her to latch on *after* she's had a little snack (frustrated hungry babies are way less likely to latch on properly anyhow!) Look up Dr. Jack Newman for some techniques on continuing to try with the breast. Also if you express a little and THEN try and get her latched on, when milk is more flowy/almost dribbling out, she might be able to get more and make the switch. Either way though, if you continue to pump, try pumping more frequently. I always had a hard time pumping but it can be done, if you increase the frequency, you're sending the message to your body that more milk is needed and you will produce more. It's hard to not get fixated on "how many ounces can i make" but the main thing is - is she hungry (you say it still seems so, so maybe after expressed breastmilk could be another time to try the nipple) and is she making enough diapers...

hang in there mama!

jenfl0res · March 2015

Thank you so much ! @elizalegs

elizalegs · March 2015

aww, no problem - sending mind hugs your way. also this is a good time to try supplemental tea like fenugreek for more milk creation. I agree that the spit up often times is coming from the milk not sitting well, so the formula may be the culprit.

cmcintos · March 2015

Maybe try a nipple shield? Mine couldn't find mine and the shield works wonders!

jenfl0res · March 2015

I just looked that up lol never heard of it. I'll deff look into it! Thank you so much! @cmcintos

jenfl0res · March 2015

Thanks a lot! @adelems

Lcasto · March 2015

If the nursing thing doesn't work out, don't beat yourself up and allow it to be a huge stressor for you. Pumping and bottle feeding as much breast milk as you can is fantastic and will be great for your baby! The most important thing is that your baby is fed and happy.. So don't put a ton of pressure on yourself if you have to bottle feed. She will end up being just fine. Just wanted to throw that perspective in there.

babymcc15 · March 2015

Ask the doctor too. Hospital pressed breast feeding on my son so much and come to find out he has a posterior tongue tie and physically cannot latch. We pump and bottle feed and he has been great since.

jenfl0res · March 2015

Thank you @Lcasto made me feel more secure

jenfl0res · March 2015

Ooh ok. Does he spit up a lot ? I think b.c of me mixing my breast milk and formula that's Why? Or maybe she not burping enough? What do u think? @babymcc15

natalilobo · March 2015

@jenfl0res I literally have the same problem right now! I have no idea what to do but my baby doesn't spit up, he just gets hiccups occasionally after I bottle feed him. I feel like my breast milk isn't sufficient for him bc I didn't get engorgement and my breasts leak sometimes. And he's usually hungry after I breast feed him which is sad

I would love to exclusively breast feed him but I feel like my milk isn't enough and honestly I love bottle feeding him bc my husband can get that bond and he sleeps way longer when he's bottle feed. So trust me I know what you're feeling!

KD32412 · March 2015

natalilobo said:
@jenfl0res I literally have the same problem right now! I have no idea what to do but my baby doesn't spit up, he just gets hiccups occasionally after I bottle feed him. I feel like my breast milk isn't sufficient for him bc I didn't get engorgement and my breasts leak sometimes. And he's usually hungry after I breast feed him which is sad I would love to exclusively breast feed him but I feel like my milk isn't enough and honestly I love bottle feeding him bc my husband can get that bond and he sleeps way longer when he's bottle feed. So trust me I know what you're feeling!

If your breasts are leaking, they are probably full, which means you have sufficient milk.

AshleyAllen87 · March 2015

I second the nipple shield! Really changed things for my boy

Do you have access to a lactation consultant? Our district offers free breast feeding clinics twice a week. We went yesterday and the tips they gave were great! Especially now we have the shield. I'll definitely be going back tomorrow.

elizalegs · March 2015

natalilobo said:
@jenfl0res I literally have the same problem right now! I have no idea what to do but my baby doesn't spit up, he just gets hiccups occasionally after I bottle feed him. I feel like my breast milk isn't sufficient for him bc I didn't get engorgement and my breasts leak sometimes. And he's usually hungry after I breast feed him which is sad I would love to exclusively breast feed him but I feel like my milk isn't enough and honestly I love bottle feeding him bc my husband can get that bond and he sleeps way longer when he's bottle feed. So trust me I know what you're feeling!

Can you just offer the breast again if he still seems hungry after a nursing session? Or offer more feedings? If you are leaking in between feedings, your problem is not insufficient milk production. Sometimes mamas will stop nursing early b/c the breast feels drained and it seems like nothing is coming out. But toward the end of the feeding is where the calorically dense, super fatty & rich hind milk starts to come out - the beginning is more like thirst quenching and then it switches to being more filling.If you do want to try exclusively BFing, this is key to its success...

KD32412 · March 2015

I second PP. Also, if you constantly feed baby only the fore milk, it can cause gas and diarrhea. Completely drain each breast to make sure baby is getting rich and fatty hind milk, sometimes that means NOT switching sides till breast is empty. Some women will feed one side and pump on the other. You can read up more on llli.org -La Leche League website

jenfl0res · March 2015

Thank so much for the advice girls. I ended up getting the nipple shield n it DOES WORK WONDERS!!!! I am so happy!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.. Yesterday was my first day. During the day she's great at night it's seemed like I had no milk so I had to give her a bottle. But I'm ok with that ! Thanks again !

elizalegs · March 2015

yaaaaaay!!!!! way to go mama!!!!

cmcintos · April 2015

So your baby will latch with the shield? I find that it's similar enough to a bottle (plastic) that I can transfer between the boob and bottle no problem !! Making night feeds easier if I'm exhausted and need my hubby to do it.

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