Babies: 0 - 3 Months

Breastfeeding/Pumping/Supplementing

My baby has not reached his birth weight and he is 3 weeks old tomorrow. The docs and I have been working at getting it back for almost a whole week. First, supplementing at the breast with formula for 2 days. No progress. Then supplementing with breast milk / pumping for 2 days- we have an appointment tomorrow, but I'm gonna guess no progress. I can't seem to get a good schedule down with pumping & feeding him every 2 hours. The doc wants me to feed off both breast then pump both. I can't get a good schedule down- it's like as soon as he's done eating I have to burp him & change him, and by the time he's dozed off and I'm ready to sit down and pump, he's back up ready for his next meal. It's completely exhausting. Any good routine advice? What else could I possibly do to get his weight up? Pure formula? I would be heart broken but at this point just want what is best for him. By the way I had supply issues for a few days but my supply has returned beautifully.

Re: Breastfeeding/Pumping/Supplementing

  • Maybe the breastfeeding board would help??

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  • I know the feeling of not having time to pump. I was in the same position and just decided to do it when I could. Mornings and evenings were the best for me, since that is when she sleeps the longest. Don't worry too much about it. If your supply is good then your LO should be getting what is needed by breastfeeding without supplementing. If LO seems hungry after BF then go ahead and supplement. Don't stress too much!
  • I nursed with a nipple shield and pumped for 7.5 weeks due to latching issues. It was exhausting but eventually worked itself out and he latches perfectly now. If you saw me during those weeks, you would've thought I was on drugs, I could hardly stay awake. If you're committed to it, just remember this will pass.


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    Me: 33, DH: 35
    Married 10/13, TTC since 7/13
    Dx: MFI
    IUI #1 7/14: BFN
    IUI #2 8/14: BFN
    IVF #1 11/14: 20R17M15F
    Transferred 1 three day embryo! 7 frosties!
    BFP!  EDD 7/27/15



                                                                      image

  • I hear 6 weeks is the magic number when everything seems to get better. I'm gonna keep pushing! Thanks ladies.
  • I'm sorry you're so stressed. we had a similar experience but it was the first week in birth, baby was not producing wet or poopy diapers (only 2-3 in our 4 days hospital stay) and i was breast feeding. I was told to add pumping after breastfeeding but I was so exhausted I decided to add formula. within a week he gained all the weight back. Now I exclusively pump (I have put him to the breast 1-2 times beacuse I heard it can increase what you pump) I feed him the breast milk first via bottle and then supplement about an ounce or so per feeding every 2-3 hours. I pump every 2-3 hours also but it's nice because my husband can bottle feed him the already pumped milk I have stored and the formula after. If your baby is taking in enough formula and or breastmilk and not putting on weight maybe it's another issue? I hope you can figure it out and try not to stress too much!
  • Jrb2015, what is a good way to pump & store breatmilk. I have all the equipment but I just don't know what the most efficient way to do it is.
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