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keep breastfeeding or pump and feed?

lindseyc1983lindseyc1983 member
in Breastfeeding
HELLO !!! I had my son 5 weeks ago via c-section, he was a big guy 9lb 10 oz. He uses the nipple shield due to latching issues (which we are getting better at) and the fact that I had blocked duct surgery over a year ago in which my nipple does not go far enough out for him. I have been breastfeeding him since day 1, and have had to supplement him with formula since week 2 or 3 due to not gaining wt at first. Now  he has gained a good amt of wt but I supplement him every single meal now b/c I am not getting enough milk. I have been drinking a lot of water, taking mothers milk tea, fenugreek 3 tabs 3x/day (which i had to stop for the last 2 days due to GI upset), eating oatmeal. 
 I BF him 20 min on each side and he is not satisfied, thus I need to give him formula. He takes anywhere from 2-4 oz of formula after BF. There are times (if i have a doctors appt, or company over) where I will pump and I usually get 2 oz (if i'm lucky on my right side. I get almost 1/2 oz on the left where I had the surgery) each pump. So I'll put that in a bottle w/ 1/2 breastmilk 1/2 formula. 
When I breastfeed him I of course have no clue how much if any he is getting, and thus he is always so fussy and cranky. I feed him what I feel he needs or when he's full with the formula...but I feel like every time I breastfeed, he is constantly cranky or we are playing a guessing game of how much breastmilk did you get.  
When I pump,...i know for sure how much i'm getting out and feed him the bottle w/ the difference of  formula. He seems much more satisfied and not as cranky when I do this.  
My question is would you reccomend me still continuing having him nurse on me, then do the supplementation afterward? Or, would you recommend exclusivly pumping and putting it in a bottle to give it to him (I do this at night b/c it cuts down time for the both of us and we get more rest). I'm pretty bummed that my supply is so low even with doing what i'm doing. Any advice would help. 

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Re: keep breastfeeding or pump and feed?

  • arbell615arbell615 member
    Hi! My LO and I have been using a nipple sheild as well, it seems to have made a difference. I would highly suggest seeing a lactation consultant if you haven't already. when I went they weighed my baby, had her breastfeed and then weighed her again. That helped us determine how much to supplement after feedings. It's also been hugely helpful for me to be able to call them when I have a question or just need some support. Otherwise I think it's really important that you do what will be best for you and your baby. I've had days where I definitely felt it would be better for my sanity if I just pumped and bottle fed! Either way your baby is still getting some Breastmilk, and the happier you are the better you'll be able to care for yourself and your baby! Hope this helps a little....
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  • Frogger5Frogger5 member
    My situation sounds very similar to yours, even the surgery part! For me, my left breast produces about 30 oz/day, but my right only maybe 4. We started with a nipple shield but stopped using it around week 2 when a weighed feed at the LC showed LO was much more efficient without it.


    I'd recommend seeing if you can rent a baby scale somewhere. I am doing that, and it has been extremely helpful. I was about to give up, too. Now, I weigh LO, BF, weigh again, and either supplement (for me with expressed milk) or decide he's ok to wait until he's hungry again. My LO (now at 5 weeks) pretty much just isn't able to stay awake at the breast to be efficient, but the bottle is easier so he never sleeps for it. Weighed feeding has also helped me answer some of those questions like if he will stop when he's had "enough," is he getting enough over the course of 24 hours, etc. I just plan on using the scale until I'm clear on his cues and confident his body knows what it needs. I definitely worry that all of the bottle feeding has made him unaware of his needs as we were always controlling the amount he took.

    If you don't know where to find a LC, ask the baby's doctor. She can probably rent you a scale if you're interested. Also, I saw that WIC has rental scales - even if you aren't in the program, you could probably call them and see if they know of resources that you can access.

    Wow, that was super long, hope it makes sense! TL;DR - look into renting a scale, it might really help you, and good luck!
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  • BBEA2006BBEA2006 member
    I would guess that he gets more out of a bottle when sucking so when he has to nurse, it doesn't come as quickly, and he probably gets frustrated.  Make sure you are using the slow flow nipples on the bottles (they have smaller holes at top to help mimic flow of breastfeeding).  

    Your body usually produces only what it "needs" so I would always pump after DS/DD ate to increase my production so that I could create a surplus to store.  Then my body knew to produce more b/c it thought it "needed" it, if that makes sense.

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  • Anne MommyAnne Mommy member
    I EPd with DS2 and it was rough. I wouldn't voluntarily do it again. Your body produces more through nursing. I second the LC and seeing if they can do weighed feedings. It's nice peace of mind. My area hospitals have breastfeeding support groups that meet so you can talk with a LC or just be around other moms doing the same thing. It is great.
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