Breastfeeding vs Formula

First, congratulations on the new baby boy!! It is also wonderful that you are trying to breastfeed and please don't feel bad about going through some difficulty. I think anyone that has breatfed knows how difficult it can be at times, but also how beneficial it can be for your baby. So, no matter what you decide to do know that any amount of breastmilk you gave him is a gift to your child.

But if I could offer advice, I'd say don't panic and necessarily assume you're not producing enough. But the best way is to let your son breastfeed more, that is the best way to increase your milk supply. Pumping won't stimulate your milk supply as much as actual breastfeeding, so the more you breastfeed the more you will produce. I would also try to contact a lactation consultant or attend a La Leche League or breastfeeding meeting at your local hospital. I never attended one but I've heard how beneficial it is and they weigh your baby every time so you can see how he's growing and that really is the sign that he's getting enough. It's hard to know how much milk your baby is getting when you breastfeed, so the way to tell are the number of dirty diapers they have and the fact that they are gaining weight. So, maybe if you regularly checked him weight you would feel more confident that he's getting what he needs. I have also heard about those teas and supplements and although I never used them myself, I have heard they work so you may want to try that. It sounds like you're very committed to it, so I would say look into some of these things before just deciding to stop because that isn't a decision you can change your mind about.

I knew someone that went through the same thing, she had a very big baby and she always needed to supplement with formula when she was done breastfeeding and them pumping after that and it just became so overwhelming that she did eventually stop because she just couldn't produce enough for the baby and formula was the best thing. Breastfeeding in itself is demanding and challenging, so to have to supplement with a bottle afterwards and also pump I'm sure can be very overwhelming.

So, if you find that it's not working, please don't feel guilty about stopping. Breastfeeding may be important, but a happy, healthy, stress-free mom is probably better for your baby. Good luck with everything!

2 moms found this helpful

K...
First off congrats to you and your husband.
Ok now i'm chiming in on this one...i formula feed all 3 of my children.I had no desire what so ever to bf and i knew i'd go back to work shortly after they where born so b/f(and my job)well it wasn't an option....
But all 3 of my children are happy healthy children.They have never had major sickness and their immune system is beeter than my 2 nephews(who were strictly b/f).I know all the benefits to b/f but my last son ate the way your son did.When he was born he went from 2.5ounces up to over 4ounces in less than a week...by the time he was 6weeks old he was eating 8ounces of formula at a feeding(everyone agreed that there was no way i could've kept up with him and his eating).There really is nothing wrong with formula feeding your child...some woman just can't product enough milk to keep up with their baby....
I just hope you find some peace in your choice and that things will work out for both you.Good luck to you.

2 moms found this helpful

hi K.! i praise you on your hard work with getting your milk supply up. i am a birth educator and doula and am working on breastfeeding counselor certification so i will do my best to offer good advice. i would definitely continue breastfeeding, even if you continue with formula. the bonding that takes place with nursing, along with the transfer of antibodies, the regulation of your hormones, and the incredible nutrients for your baby will continue as long as you breastfeed. check out www.nursingmothersalliance.org - they have a warmline that you can call and get advice over the phone. also, The Nursing Mother's Companion by Kathleen Huggins is a great book to read. I would continue to nurse and pump after each feeding. Feed your little one the expressed milk instead of formula or, if need be, in addition to formula. As your milk supply increases (which it will if you pump consistently after each feeding - i'd try an electric double pump for maximum expressing), you can lessen the amount of formula you give and just give the expressed milk. eventually, you will be able to discontinue the expressed milk and just provide enough at the breast. it is a lot of hardwork if your milk supply wasn't built up within the first 2 weeks of nursing. although, if you feel your little guy isn't getting enough because your breasts have gotten "softer," that is only because they have adjusted to the amount of milk you are producing. if you think that he is not getting enough because he is crying after each feeding, be sure that you are emptying your breast when he feeds (if he knows he will get the bottle, he may not work as hard to express the fatty hindmilk at the breast). also, rule out any issues with teething or gas that would cause him to be upset after eating.
again, awesome awesome awesome on your efforts! you are doing excellent things for your son's health and that is definitely worth praising. i wish you tons of luck with this!
B.

2 moms found this helpful

First I would like to congradulate you for trying to breastfeed. I hear people say all the time they aren't making enough milk because the baby cries after eating but that does not neceserily mean you are not making enough milk I think everyone assumes that because they cannot see how much they are eating. I am currently breastfeeding my third child and my first two screamed after every feeding but I make huge amounts of milk so that was obviously not the problem it was just gas or burps or other unknown reasons. Somedays all they want to do is nurse every 30-min. but it doesn't mean they aren't getting enough they just like it it because it's comforting and when they are having a growth spurt. If he wants to keep nursing let him nurse for as long as he wants to because that will stimulate your body to make more milk, make sure you are drinking water because other drinks so not hydrate your body they can actually dehydrate like soda and the sugar in juices that are not 100% juice can effect the amount of water that is in your body. Pumping can also help as long as your not supplementing feedings with pumped bottles because as the baby gets older it will be harder to get as much out with pumping so your body will start making less. I have heard a lot of people say the mothers milk tea is also very good and works very well also brewers yeast. I would just say don't panic and jump to conclusions because theres really no way of knowing if you not making enough milk babies don't eat on schedules or only set amounts at a time they when they are hungry and sleep when they're not, it may be time consuming at first but the time will pass so quickly believe me it's a small sacrifice just be patient sometime in our fast paced lives we want everything planned out but with a baby there's no planning. Everything you are experiencing is normal and everyone I know has thought they were not making enough milk at sometime, just stick with it you'll be glad you did. There are so many health benefits to breastfeeding for you and the baby. I think I would stop supplementing formula if I were you we don't yet know what problems it causes to the tiny bellies to given two different food sources at such a young age but formula can cause alot of problem with allergies acid reflux and constipation. I wouldn't take the chance. I was also wandering if you are breastfeeding or just giving him bottles of breastmilk if you are only giving him bottles that is why your not making as much only the baby can stimulate your body to increase milk supply. Well I hope this helps believe me I have been through some tough breast feeding times and sometime all you need is support so I f ever have any questions or just need someone to talk to feel free to e-mail me. I'd love to be able to help.
Tina

2 moms found this helpful

I didn't succeed at breastfeeding my first child, mainly because I was young and inexperienced (he's now 39 years old!). I felt awful when I stopped, so I didn't even try with my second child. For child #3, I was determined to succeed and breastfed her for 2 1/2 years! It was fantastic and I loved every minute of it!

Now for your problem. Admitedly, your baby is big. I guess I'm wondering how you know how many ounces of breastmilk he is getting since you mentioned that a few times. I never had any idea how many ounces my child was getting. The fact is, the more your child nurses, the more milk you will produce. Supplementing with formula will only cut back on your milk supply. I remember many times in the 2 1/2 years I was nursing that my baby had growth spurts when it seemed she couldn't get enough and then she would taper off and I would actually hurt, my breasts were so full.

My suggestion is that you invest in a good breast pump and store the breast milk in the refrigerator or freezer. Then your baby will have breast milk and the breast pump will stimulate you to produce more milk.

Good luck! I know it is hard, especially with the emotional roller-coaster you are on and with your post-partum hormonal changes. I would also call the LeLeche League--you can find them in the phone book and a local member will be an enormous help to you.

Kathleen

2 moms found this helpful

I just read about your difficulty breastfeeding. I am currently pregnant w/ my 3rd baby and plan to bf. I also had problems bf-ing my 1st baby. If its important to you to continue to bf, talk to a lactation consultation from the hospital. If you have the patience though, your milk WILL INCREASE! I know it might seem like forver, but it will. It's natural for bf-ing babies to go through this cycle of increasing appetite and your milk playing catch up. Also, I wouldn't recommend using a breast pump...I tried it and all I got out of it was sore breasts. Talk to your doc or lactation consultant about taking a vitamin or supplement to increase your production. There are some out there. I tried one about 5 yrs. ago and it made me very dizzy, but maybe there's something new by now.
One last thing...if it still hurts to bf (and it DOES at first!) try using a teething gel meant for babies (like Baby Orajel) on your breast right before you nurse. It's meant for babies, so it won't hurt them and it'll numb your breast a little bit!

2 moms found this helpful

Hey K.,
In my own experiences with both of my babies (and i will do exactly the same with my new little bean due in june...) - i never "measured" what my babies drank.... they just breastfed - on demand, as they say. i personally think that if you measure and time your feedings, you will stress yourself out - which sounds like exactly what is happening.
Your body regulates itself - we are mammals and - even though we think so heavily about things, you can't change that fact. The thing that is messing up your whole system is the formula feedings and all the pumping that you are doing. It truly does sound exhausting.
My midwife told me that there is no such thing as not producing enough milk for your baby... that if you stick to it, you, your body, and your baby all adjust to each other. we are a cool system... it's just that so many do not know how to embrace this thought.
Your baby is still so new to this world - I think, if you commit to solely breastfeeding, you can regain that trusting relationship. You may want to get in touch with your local le leche league group... and, you can get some nice caffeine free tea from whole foods that promote a healthy milk flow - you can talk to someone in the whole body section and they can be sure to help you... if you are close to the north wales store - try to talk to betty lou -and also check out the tea section.
and, most of all - relax... those wonderful prolactin hormones will flow a lot better when you relax with your beautiful boy!
all the best,
A.

1 mom found this helpful

Breastfeeding is all about supply and demand so it is counterproductive to give formula. I think you would be better off letting him nurse as long as he needs. This will increase your supply better than a pump because he would be a more efficient nurser.

I exclusively nursed my two girls and know it can be tough, especially during growth spurts. Perservere because the health benefits for the both of you are definitely worth it.

You may want to consult with a lactation specialist. Magee as well as Allegheny County has specialist that can answer nursing questions. You may want to tap those resources before you give up. Hang in there! It gets better.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi K.,

My first born was exclusively nursed for one year. However, I just had twins 4 1/2 months ago and have been breastfeeding and supplementing with formula (I do not make enough for both of them). It has taken the stress off of me to try to pump at extra times during the day and now my husband is able to help a lot more. Both babies are perfectly fine with supplementing and I am much happier, too. The last thing you need is excess stress while trying to feed your child.

Good Luck!
C.

1 mom found this helpful

I found that when I wasn't producing enough milk, if you go to a health food store and get blessed thistle and fenugreek (they are herbal supplements), especially the fenugreek, really helps your milk to be richer and for you to have more. I took 3 fenugreek in the morning and afternoon and it really helped. It has no effect on the baby or you (check with your doctor if you take any meds though). Well, good luck and the more you nurse him, the more your body will produce (just try to stress a lot). Protein and greens also make your milk richer.

1 mom found this helpful

Congrats on keeping up with breastfeeding this long! I had a big baby girl in March and luckily I produced enough milk to feed her. But as she got older and started eatting food, she was less and less interested in the breast until nightime. With working and pumping, at about 7.5 months I decided to do formula during the day and then just nursed her at night and in the morning. A recent double ear infection has pretty much weaned her off of the breast much to my dismay.

Just remember the more stress you are under the less milk you will have. Some breastmilk is better than none. Nurse him as much as possible and first and then offer a bottle if that is what works for you. Or if you want, just nurse as often as he wants. When my daughter was about 4 months I experienced a dip in my milk supply and just nursed her all the time. I also took a natual supplement called Fenugreek which seemed to help as well as an herbal tea called Mother's Milk. My milk supply jumped up after about a week or so. Good luck!!!

1 mom found this helpful

Continue nursing as long as you can. I have a 9 month old, he was my first, and the first three months were really hard for me. Mine as well took at least an 8 ounce bottle at 4 months old. I work part-time and would pump twice a day to have milk for the next day. I now use hardly any formula. He is getting three meals of solids a day plus nursing so he doesn't seem to need as much milk as before the solid feeding or my supply has just stabilized. There's nothing wrong with supplementing. I had major issues with doing it at first but at least I was still nursing as well. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

Hi K.:
Your situation sounds familiar. I am a first time mom to a now 18 month old little girl. Wanted very much to breastfeed her, and had trouble at first. I was also very grateful to find nipple shields, which made breastfeeding possible for us. Our little girls' nickname became 'Moo', since she was such a good eater right from the start, and I had the same problems you are, having to augment with formula. I was never able to produce enough breastmilk alone to satisfy her appetite. We kept to the mixture of breastfeeding and formula until she was about 5-1/2 months old, because we were told how beneficial it is to offer breastmilk for at least 4 months, in terms of upping her immune system. It never became easy for me, and I always was amazed by women who were able to find the time/milk supply to breastfeed only. In the end, it was my daughter who decided when it was time to stop breastfeeding. At 5 1/2 months of age, I think she just realized that breastfeeding was much more work for much less payoff than eating from the bottle, and she refused the breast. I was heartbroken, but she was adamant, and would not feed from me again. Obviously, at that time, we just had to go to formula only. She's very healthy, and I'm glad I hung in as long as I could, even if our situation was never the picture-book-perfect version of breastfeeding you hear about. Good luck, and know that what you and you little one end up working out is what's right for you both.

1 mom found this helpful

The day I finally gave up pumping - which wasn't working - was one of the happiest since I became a mom. After 6 weeks of terrible pain, breast infections and no sleep, because I was having to pump every two hours just to keep the tiny flow of milk going, which she would throw up after drinking - I finally gave up and switched to formula, which these days is excellent. My daughter is FINE. She has rarely been sick, she slept better because it was more substantial, and that was that. Before I knew it she was on to solid food anyway, which I make sure is organic and healthy. I say give it up. It just doesn't work for some moms.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi K.-
This all sounds really hard and exhausting for you. The use of breast shields can interfere with milk supply in a big way, so it isn't surprising that you have difficulty keeping up with his increasing demand. The key is to lose the breast shields, and to do this you will need a lot of support. Can you find a La Leche League meting nearby? How about a lactation consultant? There will be a very hard week when you transition off the shields and bottle, but you can do it. A tincture that worked well for many friends of mine is called More Milk, and it is herbal. You can get it online.
Goodluck!

1 mom found this helpful

Hi,

My sister-in-law had problems as well. I loved breast feeding so try to stick it out. It takes a while for your body to meet your baby's needs and supplementing will work - everyone needs sleep & a happy full tummy in their baby.

In any case, I gave you the link below to a supplement my sister-in-law used. She said it really increased her supply! There are also some teas you can buy - but the one attached is the best option I know of.

I hope this helps -

http://store.babycenter.com/product/feeding+-+nursing/bre...

H.

1 mom found this helpful

I agree with Denise about the importance of getting enough fluids. Another thing that may affect your supply could be caffeine. I remember a suggestion in an article that said when you sit down to breastfeed your baby take a glass of water with you so you can drink while you're there. It will help ensure you are getting enough fluids.

Also, I agree with Denise about supply and demand. All mothers go through the same thing when a baby hits a growth spurt. You just have to let your body catch up with your baby's needs. It can be difficult but supplementing will only make things worse. If you can try to cut back on the amount of formula you are giving your baby and let him nurse longer until you make more milk. Even if he's getting nothing it will stimulate more milk in a day or two. Another possibility is that it may just be that he needs more sucking (it soothes them) and I think giving a pacifier (although I'm not really an advocate for those) would help. Whatever you do, you shouldn't feel guilty for doing what's best for you and your baby.

1 mom found this helpful

K., please quit being so hard on yourself. Any breastfeeding that you do is great. I bottle fed my oldest two and tried the breastfeeding thing with my youngest. It was MUCH harder!! I have friends that sware by it and told me how easy it was & fun & bonding...blah blah blah. In my humble opinion although I was glad that I tried it and managed to hang in there for about 9 weeks...I think the both of us were relieved when I gave up and went to formula. I just came to the conclusion that breastfeeding works better for some people...and I was not one of those people!

Now my third was only just over 7lbs and when I was nursing her she lost an entire pound and was feeding each and every two hours. As soon as I started with formula she would take 4-5 oz every 3-4 hours, and after a couple of weeks she was sleeping from 10pm to 5am!!

There is no shame in switching to formula, but I am sure that some people will tell you there is. Figure out what you and your baby are most comfortable with and go for it. The most important thing is the health and happiness of you and your child. Good luck & best wishes.

1 mom found this helpful

Do what is best for you both. I have 4 kids. My first 2 were never breast fed, they are fine. One gets straight A's in school. Neither has any med problems or allergies. My youngest 2 were breast fed for about a week, then to formula. It just hurt way too much and the poor things would struggle to eat and I was miserable. I did cry after I stopped breast feeding my last one, ya know, my last chance, but ya know what?... he gets his bottles and he is happy as a clam and now feeding is fun. He's almost 5 mos old, weighs 17 lbs at least and healthy as a horse. Don't let others make you feel guilty if it's not working. It's a personal choice for each individual. If you want and can continue breast feeding, great, but if it makes you both miserable, what good is it doing? Look deep within yourself and make the decision that fits you and your child, not other people.

Good luck and God Bless.

L.

1 mom found this helpful

K.,

I was surprised how much trouble I had breast-feeding at first too. I understand that the best was to make more milk is to breast-feed as much as possible, even through the night. Make sure you spend some time burping afterward. Some of the crying might be gas. There's mother's milk tea at Whole Foods and Essene that really helped me make more milk. I would have been lost without Le Leche League. I encourage you to contact someone there immediately: http://www.lllusa.org/web/PhiladelphiaPA.html

Here's another good source: http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T022800.asp

You are doing a wonderful thing for your precious little one.

E.

1 mom found this helpful

Breastfeeding help line # ###-###-####

Nursing as much as baby wants is a good way to get milk supply up. I was also told to pump for 10 min after baby is done. Even if I don't get any milk keep pumping.
Good Luck! My son was born Nov 11,2007. Keep up the good work momma!

1 mom found this helpful

Try contacting a lactation onsultant. The Breastfeeding Resource Center in Glenside is great - and they offer services on a sliding fee scale. They can help you with strategies to make the most of breastfeeding and help you figure it all out in a very relaxed, no pressure environment. good luck

1 mom found this helpful

Hi! I know it's difficult but you should keep trying...even some breast milk is good for him. You should keep pumping after every feeding for at least 15 minutes. There are herbal supplements that some people have success with. I used breast tea (www.breasttea.com) I think was the website. It was a tea that you brew and drink either hot or cold that had a few different herbs in it. Whether it was the herbs or the sheer volume of fluids, my milk production did increase (you have to drink a good amount). It sounds like you really want to keep breastfeeding, so i hope something works for you! Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

My son was 9lbs 6oz when he was born. I had trouble producing enough milk for him as well. In the beginning I supplemented with formula. So I was breast & bottle feeding for a time. He was eating every 2 hours & feedings would last at least 30 minutes. It was too exhausting for me. At 3 months we started him on one meal of solids a day (baby rice). At 3 & 1/2 months we were giving him rice twice a day (with a spoon, not in a bottle). He became a much happier baby & I was much better rested. I could now produce enough milk that we stopped using formula. And he started spacing his feedings out more. (Doctors now recommend that babies not be started on food until 4 to 6 months. However, when my husband was a baby he was started on cereal at 2 weeks. By 2 months he had tried every first food available. My son has shown no ill effects from the food & now he has tried almost every first food available. He is now 5 months old).

1 mom found this helpful

K.,

First of all, you should think of your son. He is hungry and there is nothing wrong with feeding him just formula. I had to stop breastfeeding my daughter at 8 weeks. She was getting enough, but I had to go back to work and school. It was kind of upsetting to let go of that bonding time, but it was something that needed done. Also, if you are that tired, then you can't be as good of a mother as you would like to. You should definitely do what is best for you both. From what you wrote, that sounds like giving up breastfeeding. Good luck with whatever you choose.

1 mom found this helpful

First of all, That is AWESOME you are trying so hard to breast feed! It is well worth it for your baby. I had the exact same challenge with my first child, and would have given up several times in the beginning if not for my lactation consultant at the hospital.
I ended up breast feeding for 10 1/2 months! It was only difficult the first few few months.
To keep it brief, WATER WATER WATER. Even more important than eating enough extra calories is totally overdoing it on the water. It is the best way to increase milk production. Also, you are doing the right thing by never skipping a feeding or pumping session, you do have to continue the stimulation, even if you supplement the formula.
It usually takes 3 days for your milk to catch up to your baby's growth spurts. I was told that even underfeeding for those few days was OK if you want to only breast feed, as long as you pump and feed all the time, but I did supplement sometimes when I felt she was hungry.
Don't worry, if you keep trying, you will catch up. Sometimes it even took up to five days to catch up. But she was the healthiest baby in the world, and I really feel it was because I nursed her instead of switching to formula.
As consolation-I just had my second baby in December, and I'm way ahead of him! I have a freezer full of milk stashed-it may be easier for you next time! Keep up the good work!
a m y

1 mom found this helpful

I understand that breastfeeding can be hard....I have a 3 month old and use a shield. In the beginning, and to build up my supply, I used fenugreek ...it makes you smell like maple syrup...but it worked great.

there's also a tea called mother's milk tea. I has also helped.

Hang in there. Babies are healthier that are breastfed...that said, you have to do what you have to do...I got a bad mastitis infection with my 2nd kid and had to stop breastfeeding...if it turns out that you need to supplement, you could still breastfeed maybe every other feeding and formula on the other ones, so you aren't pumping and feeding and using formula...all time consuming and tiring things if you do them for every feeding.

Good luck!

L.

1 mom found this helpful

The best advice I know of for building your milk supply up quickly, and it worked for me, is to go to bed for a couple of days with your baby and just nurse, drink (guinness is very good), eat, and drink alot of water. I always liked "having" to do that, it was a nice time for me and my baby, I'd stock up with some good movies, a good book, and my favorite foods. Between the rest, the relaxing environment, and the food and drink, it's almost miraculous how quickly your milk catches up with your baby's needs.

1 mom found this helpful

It has been told to me that the more you breastfeed the more you produce. Are you alowing time for him to completly empty each breast? I have breastfed 4 babies. And they were all different sizes. My daughter is a member of La Lache and I would recommed you contacting a local chapter. Have you tried drinking more fluids? And I was always told to drink a beer, but since I hate the stuff I never did. But have been told it works to produce, Or my thinking is you relax so your body is able to let down and produce more. Whatever you decide the love and time you spend holding and loving your son is what is important. Bonding and letting him feel your love is the most important gift you will ever give.

1 mom found this helpful

You should NEVER feel bad if you can't breastfeed, we as mothers shoulder enough guilt as it is! It is not the end of the world for your baby! I breastfed exclusively the first year for my first son. My second son came along when the first was 19 months old and I just couldn't do it, I had to suppliment with formula! I went through feeling guilty and bad until my Mom told me that when I was being raised in the 70's, EVERYONE got formula, so did my husband. We are all perfectly healthy. There is no question that breastmilk is awesome for your baby...but formula is great too!
Like the other poster said, it's all about supply and demand, if you TRULY want to continue breastfeeding eliminate the formula for a little while to build up your supply. Make sure that you are drinking PLENTY of fluids..that was one mistake that I made. For whatever reason, the pump did not work for me so I was never able to make a bottle for when I was away. It does take both you and your baby time to get used to this. Hang in there but if you choose not to, don't feel bad, your baby will do just fine and you really don't want him picking up on any anxiety that you are feeling about breastfeeding.
Good Luck!

1 mom found this helpful

Hi K.,
I am a mother of 3 children within 3 yrs and I breastfed all three. Two until 10 months old and the third is 7 months now and still nursing. I know it is really hard and you should not feel bad about supplementing with formula if you need to but there are things to help improve you milk supply.

1.) make sure you drink enough water
2.) a tea called mothers' milk some groceries have it and many natural food stores.
3.) if you are pumping and not using a good pump you may not be able to increase your supply. you can rent a hospital grade or there are ameda and medela pumps that cycle more quickly to help you get more milk.

If you son needs to feed so often and it lasts for more than a couple of days (growth spurt) maybe he is not hungry but doing it for comfort. I know my son does this.

It is hard but if you want want to keep breastfeeding just stick with it because it is really only a short time in the grand scope of things. If you keep in mind the good you are doing for your child and yourself in this short period of time it might help get you through. On the flip side many babies are formula fed and they all turn out just fine. Your sanity is more important.

Hope this helps.

1 mom found this helpful

You are doing such a great job! You are right to be cautious with how much formula you introduce because the more you give him of formula, the less your body will be getting the message that you need to produce more. In general, most women face the "I'm not making enough" when a child goes through a growth spurt and his needs increase quickly. What I can say is that our bodies are made to deal with that. The extra sucking that he does via extra feedings during a growth spurt GIVE our bodies the message that demand has increased. Us moms go "omg, he's not getting enough" when the truth is, the process works amazingly well to make sure that mom and baby are on the same page! His needs increase so he nurses more, your body gets stimulated more and then the milk demand is met. BUT it does take a few days of this increased nursing schedule for your body to make more milk, more frequently. The knee-jerk reaction of us moms in adding in formula actually works against the natural process that ensures baby gets what he needs from mom.

I'm going to say to just feed on demand, let him feed more frequently, and even when you think he's not getting anything, let him continue to nurse. Avoid topping him off if you can....this process is so delicate that it is very easy to begin to spiral into the supply/demand problem and eventually nursing will not be successful. Now I'm not against formula..I'm just speaking from an "I want to nurse" perspective. Particularly at this juncture, this early on, you'll want to avoid supplementation if you can.

Other things you can do...increase your skin to skin contact. If you can, take some time to lay in bed with your child's naked torso against yours. Nurse that way. This releases something in the brain that helps up the milk...but I can't recall what it is!

You can also go online and order Blessed Thistle which is a supplement that helps increase your milk safely. Do NOT buy GNC brand though...it's crap. There's also a Mother's Milk tea that you can drink regularly that has Blessed Thistle and something else in it that my brain won't allow me to recall right now,lol...that helps increase milk production. I had a friend who made toast with brewer's yeast on it every morning to increase hers. I'd be happy to talk more about this if you'd like to email me at ____@____.com

oh, also, make sure you are drinking enough water. If you aren't getting enough fluids, your body can't make enough milk. that's IMPERATIVE!

keep up the good work! I wish you much success!

Coming on to edit because some moms mentioned Fenugreek! THANK YOU for saying it! I couldn't remember the name but I used that and Blessed Thistle together with great success!!!! Had to laugh at the comment that you'll smell like maple syrup,lol...I had forgotten that part too, but I swear by the combo!

1 mom found this helpful

I know how you feel. I had trouble with breastfeeding even though I had seen a lactation consultant from the very beginning. I wasn't producing enough milk so she told me to take blessed thistle and fenugreek. I had some success with that and pumping. But we supplemented with formula and both kids got "nipple confusion" and had troubling latching. Putting my kids to the breast was a heartbreaking battle. It was stressful for all of us and not very productive so my husband and I finally decided it was better to give formula in a bottle so that we could bond with our children during feeding time.

Choosing to breastfeed or use formula is a very personal decision and will be different for each family. There is a lot of pressure to breastfeed. If you want to continue to give breastfeeding a chance I would suggest seeing a lactation consultant. She can guide you and support you. If you choose to stop breastfeeing and switch to formula that is okay, too. Making sure your child is receiving the proper amount of food and showing him love and compassion is what counts.

1 mom found this helpful

K.,

You are doing a great thing by breastfeeding your baby - so give yourself a big pat on the back for sticking with it when it has been so difficult. Breastfeeding isn't always as "easy" as one might think. I had a lot of difficulties with my son in the beginning, but I was determined and we had a good support network, so we were able to make it through. Don't feel bad because you have had to supplement. You are doing a great job. Keep breastfeeding your baby. Every ounce of breastmilk that you give to your baby is good for him and good for you!

Have you met with a lactation consultant? It might be a good idea to see one. They can be very helpful. A lot of times, when it seems like the baby is still hungry or hungry all of the time, they are going through a growth spurt. It is their way of telling your body to increase your milk supply. When you supplement your body isn't getting those signals to increase your supply. But don't worry - it isn't too late. You can still get your supply up and you and your baby can have a great breastfeeding relationship. Here are some articles and links that may be helpful for you:

Breastfeeding Tips for new moms: <http://expectantmothersguide.com/library/pittsburgh/breas...;

Pumping Tips: This article is mainly designed for moms who are going back to work - but many of the tips in it are also great for increasing your supply and getting more milk when you pump: <http://www.mothersboutique.com/woandbrtifor.html&gt;

This is an article showing the benefits your baby is getting from breastmilk - every drop you give him is good for him - so keep up the great work!: <http://www.wiessinger.baka.com/bfing/breastvbottle/wean.h...;

This is a great site for any type of breastfeeding question. It is called KellyMom: <http://www.kellymom.com/&gt;

Here is what Kellymom says about supplementing and increasing your supply: <http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-supply.html&gt; - there is lots of other really good info on Kellymom - just look around a bit.

I had a lot of difficulties breastfeeding my son in the beginning. I actually quit my job to start up a business designed to help other new mothers breastfeed. If you need anything, please feel free to contact me off-line (____@____.com) and I am happy to help. I can also give you a referral to a good Lactation Consultant as well.

J.

A Mother's Boutique
Breastfeeding Clothing, Nursing Bras, Breast Pumps, Slings and Accessories.
MamaSource Members will receive 10% off of their first order - just mention promo code "MamaSource"
http://www.mothersboutique.com

1 mom found this helpful

Hi! I breastfed both my girls exclusively. I did it b/c my husband (who is not from the US) felt that was the best way. However, it was not easy. I did have a lot of support from my daughter's ped. I also had a friend in your position and what I told her is that she needs to decide what it best for her and the baby. I think that the same applies for you. Yes, you will hear, "breast is best". However, if you are stressed and your little one will pick up on that, it's not the best. You need to decide what is best for you and your baby. Many kids have formula and are fine. Decide what is right for you. To give you a little hope, I found the first 3 months to be the hardest. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

They never tell new moms to be just how hard breast feeding actually is. I had alot of trouble with my first child. I pumped and gave it to her in a bottle for six months. Eventually my milk slowed down in production and she switched over to formula. The problem is nothing makes a better pump than the actual baby. So It is really hard to pump and feed exclusively. Did I mention I did not work for the first 4 months of that six months? You need to do what is best for you. You can continue to pump and mix with the formula. There is nothing wrong with that. It would also save you some money(formula is too expensive I think). But it is also Very time consuming. Once you pump, feed, wash the pump, wash the bottles,.... it is time to pump again. You need to look at your life and make a decision YOU feel comfortable with. Ignore any people telling you what they think you should do and decide for yourself. If not, you will end up feeling like you both got cheated out. I wish you the best of luck! I truely feel for you. Your story brought me right back to when I was making that decision 6 years ago. If I could pump for You I would. :-)

1 mom found this helpful

Hi K.,
there are herbs, herbal teas, and techniques you canuse to increase your supply. the teas are called, "mother's milk" by traditional medicinals or yogi tea, which are available in health food stores. an herb you can take is called "fenugreek". also, the more you nurse your babe, the more milk you will produce! lots more support and info at www.mothering.com. and, nursing is SO HARD. especially at first. it's just that most people never tell you that. keep up the good work!

1 mom found this helpful

Ditto to all the great advice... especially staging a "nurse-in" for a few days. The more you can get that baby eating, the more milk you'll stimulate.
I'd like to add that the baby is the most effective way of getting milk out, and increasing your supply. A pump can be helpful, but what you pump is not necissarily indicative of what your baby receives when eating... the size and shape of the shield you use when pumping can sometimes help increase what you get. I guess my main point is not to go by the # of ounces you make. I can only ever pump 3 oz. total at a time while a friend of mine gets 10oz no problem. Still, we both have chubby, breast-fed babies (mine being the bigger of the two!)
Keep up the good work -- it sounds like you're doing a great job. You may want to check out the book, "Breastfeeding Cafe" by Barbara Behrmann. She interviewed lots of women for this book and there seems to be a story just about everyone can relate to. It's a good resource and a can be reassuring to know there were other folks in your situation who made it work. Best of luck.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi hon! I know how hard this is for you! This happened with my last baby. I would just encourage you to keep breastfeeding first and then if it isn't enough give him some formula. I would have never thought that I would say that but sometimes you just can't make enough. :-) As long as he is getting some breastmilk it is worth it!

S.
Mommy to six

1 mom found this helpful

Keep up the good work. You can try mother's milk tea. Three cups a day will help your supply, also fenagreek(sp?) will help. Take the liquid form works better than the pills. Pump one breast while he eats from the other. I only fed from one side per feeding. Breastfeeding is hard, you should be proud you made it this far. If you need more help or support feel free to email me.

1 mom found this helpful

I had the same problem with milk supply. I didn't have a big baby I had a NICU baby and they like for you to pump and send it in. I could never pump more then an ounce. They tried me on pheenegreek which is a natural herb to help enhance milk, I increased fluids, ate more dairy, increased calories etc. Finally the doctor put me on Reglan which helped a little.
www.livegreeneasy.com

1 mom found this helpful

there is a tea called mothers milk look at the health food store drink alot of water..cant spell it right but call on the leleche group...very helpful...try nursing more often smaller feeding may speed up production

1 mom found this helpful

the best way to "make more milk" is to nurse, nurse, nurse.. the stimulaion on your nipples is what causes the lactation reaction. your baby might seem still hungry because he may be going through a growth spurt ( these happen at 3 wks, 6wks, 3 months, 6 months, etc.) and wants to nurse constantly. nursing is not always easy, but definately worth it.. using the bottle is easier for the baby to get milk ( they dont have to work for it ) so when you use both bottle and breast, they naturally are going to prefer the bottle ( they are not stupid !!! ) and then eventually will refuse the breast. throw away that bottle !!!! you can nurse and "have enough" milk.. by nursing only !!! also, when you nurse, sit back, relax, and make it a total experience... your mood and level of nervousness can delay/ diminish the let down reflex. also, when baby is nursing all the time, you have to DRINK ALOT..and almost constantly.. juice, water, etc.. have a glass of water, juice with you while you are nursing.. eventually your milk will catch up with his demand and then things will setle down.. ( until the next growth spurt :-) ... ) good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

Hi K.,

Yes, breastfeeding is the toughest job you will ever do with your body. The only way to increase your milke supply is to only have your son nurse from you-no bottles. Believe it or not, you will not "run dry". Your son may be crying due to gas at this age, not hunger. The next best thing you can do is to make sure you are eating healthy and plentiful. For the night feedings, always have fruit, water, etc nearby to have while he's either eating or right after. You will probably eat more now than when you were pregnant. Also give your body the rest it needs to "refill" by taking a nap when the baby naps...what ever you are doing outside of making your meal and bathing has to wait. This worked for me when I didn't think I had anything left. Also pumping at the same time, or as close to it, also helps. God bless and the both of you are on the right track, don't worry!

1 mom found this helpful

My favorite thing about breast feeding besides healthy babies, was my weight loss... usually within six to eight months I was back in my prepregnancy size.
In our busy world it can be a challenge to settle in and just "be" without "doing". I used to take my babies in bed with me even though the doctor cautioned against it. Since my bed is my favorite place to be, it was a nice way to relax and enjoy the time together without the pressures of the outside world.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi K., I'm sorry to hear that you're having so much trouble!
I strongly urge you to stick it out with the breastfeeding. It is so much more beneficial to your baby than formula. So, if you're still producing it, try to keep nursing. God designed us beautifully to feed our babies exactly what they need. I do understand however, if it becomes just too much work for you. I'll be prayin for you. Congrats on your new sweet baby!

1 mom found this helpful

I think it is worth it to try a little longer. My now 3 year old was a failure to thrive baby. He was not getting enough of or enough calories from my breast milk. I was able to get my supply up and that helped a little but he still needed to be supplemented. He breastfed several times a day and was supplemented at each feeding. That little bit of breast milk, though, was helpful in so many ways. It meant that he was still getting immunities from my milk. Also, he needed less formula so we didn't have to buy as much. In the middle of the night, breastfeeding was a godsend. It got to a point when he didn't necessarily want a whole bottle but would sometimes wake up and want just a little. I could put him to the breast and he would breastfeed and then go back to sleep (at night).

There are a couple of things you can try. Pumping is one which you said you have been doing. There is, also, some herbs like fenugreek that have been shown to improve milk supply. There is, also, an herbal tea called Mother's Milk. Additionally, there are 2 drugs known to increase milk supply. One of the drugs is not available in the US. The other is but you would have to talk to your doctor to see if he/she would prescribe it for you. It is actually for something else, heartburn I think. You can check the La Leche League's website for more information on ways to stimulate your breast milk supply.

One of the most important things is to stimulate your breasts. If you are still using a nipple shield, try to get him off. The more straight contact between his mouth and your breast, the more stimulation you are going to get and the more milk you will produce. This was key to getting my milk supply up with my son.

However, if after you try some of these options, breastfeeding is now working for you, PLEASE, do not feel guilty about putting him on formula. While my 3 year old was a child who wanted to breastfeed and took to it (although with issues). My 8 year old had me so frustrated after 6 weeks, we put her on formula. My 4 1/2 month old simply refused to breastfeed after he had to be supplemented for another reason. Each child is different. While breastfeeding may seem to some like the most natural thing in the world and may be easy, for others like you and me there is a greater learning curve and adjustment period. And sometimes, it simply doesn't work for us.

The shame of it is, my mom didn't really want to breastfeed my brother and did to save money. My grandmother didn't care for it but did cause that was what they did then. Me, I wanted to breastfeed my children. Unfortunately, only 1 in 3 worked out that way.

Good luck and remember that whatever you decide is best for you and that either choice or a combination is healthy for your baby. It is a matter of making the choice that best works for both of you. If you are stressed out and upset about it, it will affect your ability to breastfeed, your patience and your milk supply. Relax and do what comes naturally whether that means you breastfeed, bottle feed or both is completely up to you.

Feel free to email if you want to talk about it more. I've been there and know how it feels.

1 mom found this helpful

Alot on moms have some really great tips - but try the absolute experts too. Contact La Leche League by internet or phone - they have all the answers. Good luck sweetie - remember some breast milk is better than none.
Also here is the phone # for the Nursing Mothers Advisory Council - they have local meetings as well. ###-###-#### - these girls are the best for support.
XOXOXO K.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi K., i feel your pain, when my daughter was born i had a c-section and when we were in the hospital i was breast feeding all day but at night they would take her to the nursery and feed her formula. So i considered making her a combo baby. When we came home i continued the breast feed morning to night but would give formula at bed time and during the night feedings. It seemed to help with her sleeping atleast the 3 hours at a time and she always seemed satisfied. When she turned 2 1/2wks she also went up to 4oz and i could not tell if she was getting enough from BF. so i would give her a 2oz btl at the end. then that turned into me pumping more than nursing so i could see how much she was getting.by doing that my milk slowed down week by week. i would nurse only in the morining and pump the rest of the day and give her as much as i was producing. sometimes it was 4oz others it was less and then i would suppliment w/ the formula. now at 9week she is 12lbs and i just am not producing enough for one feeding never mind all day. so yesterday at her wellness check up the Dr.told me that she would be just fine w/ only formula at this point. Its a little sad but my baby doesn't seem to mind and that is what is the most important. So i guess the moral to my story is being a combo baby was great for both of us and the transition to just formula was very easy. Good Luck and remeber no matter what you do you are a great mom. take care, M.

1 mom found this helpful

Hugs! I'm assuming you are already supplmenting, but regardless, it sounds like your son is gaining weight well, so you should be proud!

Did anyone warn you about "growth spurts" at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 9 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months...? These are times when it is normal for your baby to seem "unsatisfied" at the breast, and want to nurse a LOT because he is trying to build up your supply. Supplementing with formula at a time like this undermines that normal process.

It is possible that you actually are quite able to make enough milk (pumping is not a good indicator of how much milk you can make), but your son has learned that if he holds out he can get the "easy milk" from a bottle, and not work for it from the breast.

If you want to increase your milk supply, here are some ideas...

*stay home for a couple of days and just focus on your baby.
*pump an hour or more after feeding rather than very soon after feeding. Pumping in the morning is usually when you will get the most milk.
*increase the number of feeds. At this point you should still have a MINIMUM of 8 feeds in a 24 hr period, but given that you have supply concerns, 12 or more would not be unreasonable.
*let your son sleep in your bedroom and do not restrict night time feeding.
*give supplemental feeds via a "supplmental nursing system" (available from a lactation consultant) rather than a bottle--this keeps baby at your breast so that you get stimulation.
*oatmeal is said to stimulate milk supply, there is also a tea called "Mothers Milk Tea" that you can buy in the natural foods section at Wegmans or in health food stores.
*cut back supplements slowly--perhaps cut off 1/2 oz from each supplement, then a few days later cut off another 1/2 oz. Don't be shy about taking your son to the pediatrician for weight checks periodically if that makes you feel more confident about doing this.

I've been told that if you have been supplementing with formula it will take you 2 weeks to re-build your supply for every one week you were increasing formula supplements...keep this in mind for a realistic idea of how long it will take you to build your supply back up.

Hugs again, and good luck!

Jenn
www.babybodybirth.com

1 mom found this helpful

From my own experience, I have breastfed 3 children and am pregnant w/ my 4th, due in April. I know that my supply would diminish if my caloric intake dropped and/or if I didn't drink a lot of water each day. I'd just suggest those things to start and see if that helps you produce more for your son. He sounds like he's gotten the method, and if you're determined to solely breastfeed, don't give up, but don't wear yourself out, either. It's harder than most think it is, but do-able!! Good luck to you.

1 mom found this helpful

K.--First, you are doing all you can and that is all you can ask from yourself. Please do not feel badly. This is not an easy process for every mother that tries it. But you are amazing for doing everything that you are doing for your baby.

As far as increasing your milk supply. 1) DRINK DRINK DRINK DRINK...water is best, but juices, any non-alcoholic beverage is ok. 2) Try Mother's Milk Tea...it is a tea found in many health food stores. 3) Take Fenugreek, is is an herb that increases milk supply.

I don't know what websites you have tired but www.kellymom.com is a helpful breastfeeding resource. In addition, there is the Breast Feeding Resource Center:

www.breastfeedingresourcecenter.org

117 N Easton Rd
Glenside, PA 19038
###-###-####

Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful