Advice/support on Nursing Problem and Possible Switching

Stress will def affect your ability to pump and you are probably feeling stressed about going back to work, trying to pump, needing to introduce a bottle, plus you aren't feeling well right now.

I had to pump exclusively for the 1st 12 weeks for my son. While I was learning to pump I found that if I relaxed and visualized my milk flowing and flood gates crashing open with milk my let down would start! Crazy as it sounds it worked.

Also, know that your supply is very well regulated at this point. You are making what you need while you are with him so your body isn't responding as well to the pump. But give yourself time to get well. And you will be pumping while you are away from baby so the milk will be there because baby won't be!

I don't think you need to make a full switch to formula. Why would you? You may need a bit till you get the working/pumping schedule going but full time switch? Nah! You like nursing, you are happy doing it so no reason to think you need to stop.

Ask your pediatrician for a formula recommendation. You will want something gentle as he is used to the gentle breastmilk. I highly recommend trying the Playtex nurser with the latex (brown) nipple. It is super soft like the breast.

I hear you. I have been in a similar situation, too. Here are my thoughts:

1. The first and best thing to encourage let-down, as you know, is the hardest: relax. I had to take several deep breaths and think of other things in order to relax. Some people think of their baby. It got me too stressed out to think that I might not be able to feed him the way I wanted. I thought of going out with friends, walking in the sunshine, kayaking, etc. Then I was able to relax enough to feed my baby.
2. For a sinus infection, you may not feel like drinking, but keep drinking a lot of water. Also, if you can, eat as much garlic as you can stomach. It will help boost the power of any antibiotics that you are on.
3. I've given each of my kids formula every now and again. We used Similac because it seemed closest to breast milk to us. I know every person has a different experience with this, and that's okay. We tried it. Our kids drank it fine. When we started, we mixed 3/4 breast milk with formula to help them get used to the taste. Then we did 1/2 and 1/2, then 1/4 breast milk to 3/4 formula, then all formula. That seemed to work.
4. While they were getting formula, I was still pumping as much as I could. They were each on formula for a bit, then went back to breastfeeding. I did feel some guilt about it, but honestly, it was the best decision for our family. And that's what matters most.

Aww. I feel for you. I won't offer advice on getting your milk to let down, others have and you know the routine. If the nursing/not nursing is causing you stress this is yet another reason your milk may not be flowing. Rest assured you did the best you can for your baby. 4 months is better than nothing and more than some mothers do. I nursed for 14 months, but I know plenty of mums that didn't nurse even once! Also, I started supplementing with formula at 5 months. Get the formula, pump and nurse if you can. Even a little bit is beneficial. He will take the bottle, eventually. Try different bottles. My son was very resistant to bottles at first. Eventually he happily accepted the NUK bottles. They seemed most similar to the real thing! Also in terms of the formula, I would highly recommend Enfamil Premium Lipil Infant. This is the best one I found. My son never spit up and never had even the slightest problem digesting this. And if you call Enfamil and tell them you are interested in trying the product they will send you coupons! Good luck!

Nursing is really challenging and stressful, but be confident in knowing that your son has had the benefit of your milk for 4 months! He's healthy and strong so switching to formula at this point is absolutely fine.

I had intended to nurse my son for a full year, supplementing with formula as needed, but that simply didn't happen. When he was 4 months old I ended up with mastitus and went back to work all within two weeks. As a result he was 50/50 for the next two months and then completely on formula. I was devastated b/c I wanted him to have breastmilk, but my pediatrician reassured me that formulas today are very high quality and highly nourishing.

As for which formula to use, that's really up to you. I used the Enfamil Lipil pre-mixed and liked it. We couldn't use the powdered b/c my son was really sensitive to any "non mixed" grains and he would get consitpated. It was more expensive, but it worked for him.

Don't beat yourself up... he'll be fine and so will you! Feel better.

i always went into with the attitude if it works, great if not - I did my best. I nursed one daughter for a year and the other only got 6 weeks - it just didn't work. For the daughter I nursed for a year, I found Dr. Brown's bottles were the best if you want to continue nursing (say morning and night - these were my favorite times) and formula feed the rest. I actually only nursed these 2 times a day and pumped/bottle fed the rest - these bottles are very much like nursing (harder than a regular bottle, so they don't get lazy and don't want you). Good luck, and don't feel like you failed - you gave him 4 motnhs of breastmilk, which is awesome!!

Get some similac or enfamil and start practicing. 4 mos is better than none at all. You need to ween him out before you go back to work so you dont have to stress on it. If stress is keeping you from doing it, it's time to stop. Thank God for formula :)

Don't feel guilty!!!!! Your stress vs illness is probably the cause in decrease milk production. Whatever you are able to pump I would start the bottle now to get him used to it...otherwise you will all be miserable when you return to work if he isn't used to the bottle. Until your supply can come back it does not hurt to suplement with formula. Give yourself lots of grace and hang in there.

Is your son still thriving? If so, you're both ok!!

I breastfed both of my kids exclusively for just over 1 year each--through sickness and health. With my first, I went back to work after 10 weeks. There were definitely times when I wouldn't/couldn't let down, especially when pumping. I also stressed about pumping, bottles, nursing, you name it. I did notice that whenever I was sick, I didn't produce as much (so a feeding required full time on both sides vs all of one and whatever on the other) while I was sick or on meds, but it all eventually came back. For bottles, we liked the Playtex Drop-ins wth the clear silicone nipple. I tried lots of brands, but my boy preferred these.

I distinctly remember a number of times being at work and pumping and having a stressful day and having some real troubles letting down. I did the best I could for that pumping time, with LOTS of breast/milk massage to try to get anything out, and I'd try again the next chance I had. Just try to take some deep breaths. I also found that I wasn't as efficient at producing for the pump as I was at nursing, so I ended up waking up around midnight/1am to pump an extra time to make sure there was enough in the bottles. It's just a price I had to pay to breastfeed and work.

With my second, I am able to stay home and there were LOTS of times that I didn't feel the letdown with her nursing, but she was still thriving, so I guess it was ok. And I could rarely get a good pumping with this one. So, I'd end up combining a couple pumpings just to get a single feeding if I had to be out. Totally normal, though.

If you want to breastfeed, breastfeed! There's no reason you absolutely have to switch to formula if your son is still thriving. However, if you really feel that a switch to formula is warranted or needed, then you do whatever is best for both of you! No matter what, I guarantee your son will not remember this and hold anything against you :)

Besides, you can always nurse as much as you are able (as time/work allows...like morning and night or whatever) and supplement the rest. Or even pump as much as you are able at work and supplement as needed. Then, if you want to make it to a year, you might be able to with a combination. Just don't stress about it.

Happy mommy = happy baby!

A sinus infection will definitely lower your supply, but most likely it will return as you get better. The same thing happened to me the day after we found out my son had a medical condition requiring bottle feeding only. Talk about stress! I was pumping, but I knew it wouldn't be enough. My supply came back, but we did eventually supplement with formula and then switch altogether.

Try not to stress, just keep nursing as much as you can because anything you can give him will benefit him. If you do need to supplement, I recommend getting the store brand. The cost is just over half of the name brand, and my ped said most formulas are basically the same. I think the differences are very subtle for most babies. Every once in awhile you'll hear about a baby who did bertter with one or another, but they really are all equal.

i just want to let you know that not everyone feels a let down. i am nursing my second right now and everything is SO different! I dont ever feel full though he chokes on my milk, never feel a let down, almost everything is so different. Pumping seems to be a learned art so keep practicing the same time of day everyday ? i think you need to find a local La Leche League for some support. Or a great lactation consultant. there are some groups through Cignus Lactation Support in mundelein. please please get some help so you wont feel guilty if you end up switching! good luck!!!!

First, relax. Remember: stressing NEVER changes anything. I think you should continue breastfeeding. Do what you can. I've found from doing research that taking fenugreek capsules & blessed thistle capsules together help with milk production. Everyone in the house needs to take a probiotic including yourself so your baby can get it through your milk. It really helps your baby form good bacteria in the gut to fight the bad bacteria. Do some research on what kind of formula you want to supplement your baby with. Regular formula? Organic formula? Sometimes when my milk supply is low I will supplement with organic formula. Try mixing a little with your milk to introduce it to your baby. I like the Dr. Brown bottles. When I feel like I'm coming down with something I gargle with warm water mixed with a little cayenne pepper. I get results immediately!! Works better than anything I've tried to clear up sinuses. Don't beat yourself up about it. Whatever you decide to do, your baby will still think you are the greatest Mommy LOL!!! This too shall pass.

If you are taking antihistimines for your sinus infection, they will affect (dry up) your milk supply just like they do your sinuses. This is temporary. Your getting rest and nursing him will help you get healthy faster and pass the antibodies on to him. However, whatever you decide to do now is temporary and can be reversed if you are feeling differently in a couple of weeks.

With both of my kids I've had no problem nursing them, but can't get much milk in the way of pumping at all (an ounce on each side if I'm lucky). Nursing is natural and pretty much everyone can do it. Pumping is not natural - it simply isn't the same as your baby latching on. We all have to do the best that we can. If you can't manage to pump enough, go ahead and do the formula. But keep nursing when you're with the baby, that way baby is still getting tons of good stuff from the breastmilk. Good luck!