Breastfeeding or Formula

Re: Breastfeeding or Formula

• leibas member

  April 2015

  I don't have any answers but want to see what others have to say because I feel the exact same way (although haven't supplemented with formula .. Yet). My LO is 5 1/2 weeks old and there are many times I question whether he is truly satisfied after breastfeeding or bottle feeding pumped breastmilk. When I pump after feeding I may get 1-2 ounces or after bottle feeding 2-4 ounces. But everyone keeps telling me your body will produce what the baby demands so I keep trying to put him to the breast more.

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• adelems member

  April 2015 edited April 2015

  3 ounces per breast is quite a good amount I think! That's six ounces total.
  
  How often are you nursing? Ebf babies nurse like every two hours. At six ounces a feeding every two hours that's 72 ounces a day , they estimate a baby needs 25 ounces a day and that the amount doesn't change so much as the time between feedings stretches and the consume more each feeding as they grow older.
  
  I could be wrong but if my research is right then you have plenty! Especially if you're able to still pump an ounce or two per breast after nursing.
  
  Formula tends to make babies feel fuller so if you're supplementing with formula your baby may be getting used to the way formula makes her feel and think she's still hungry.. That or she's getting frustrated that the milk from breast isn't as easy to get to as formula from a bottle. Bottles give the good stuff a whole lot easier than the boob so babies very often will choose bottle over boob because they are human and want it easier

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• sugargrenade member

  April 2015

  Are there other reasons you think she might not be satisfied being breastfed? is she losing weight? does she seem uncomfortable/in pain? is she constantly rooting for more?

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• babyh310 member

  April 2015

  I've reached out to a lactation consultant and that has been very helpful for me and all my questions. Also le Leche league website has been helpful. I was told to feed baby sitting up with bottle horizontal but tipped up just enough for milk to be in the nipple, so baby has to suck and work to get milk out and keep it as close to breastfeeding as possible. I'm not sure if that would help your situation or not; I mention it because, as PP said, bottle feeding and/or formula is so much easier and faster for baby and baby can decide that's how they want it all the time and become less satisfied at the breast. There is no perfect answer - this is your baby and you guys will sort out what you feel is best! It's very hard to know what that is though, for me at least. I think if baby is content and gaining weight appropriately, trust your body to provide for what baby needs!

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• djoliet member

  April 2015

  6 oz from both breasts is actually really good.
  
  I'm with the previous poster who asked why you think your baby isn't getting enough? I have personal experience with this. I started off nursing My daughter and she dropped 13% below her birth weight and was extremely fussy. She'd latch on and nurse for up to 3 hours sometimes but she would still cry. We found out she has a severe tongue tie and a lip tie that was making it hard for her to get enough milk when she was nursing. As much as I didn't want to do it, I decided to start supplementing with formula per request of the pediatrician. She finally started gaining weight. She figured out how easy the bottle was and didn't want to go back to nursing. I made the decision that I wanted her to still have my breastmilk so I am exclusively pumping and giving her breastmilk in bottles. I live with my boobs attached to the pump these days (I pump every 2 hours) but it works for us.
  
  I recommend seeing a lactation consultant

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