Breastfeeding to Formula Question

My milk supply is too low, and I have had to supplement. I am VERY happy with Similac Advanced with Early Shield. We tried the entire Enfamil line, and my baby had trouble with all of them. When we switched to Similac, she did much better and has not needed any of the "special" formulas.Good luck going back to school...and don't let anyone make you feel bad for supplementing. Not everyone can make enough milk. But keep pumping...especially when you return to work. Even if your baby gets 50% breastmilk and 50% formula, he will still get all the great health benefits.

I know other mommy's who have the talent to be able to pump on one side while their little one is nursing on the other. This helped increase how much they got because they were having a natural let-down....

I just weaned my son, and we're doing well with the Sam's Club brand--same ingredients as the big names, but sooo much less expensive! He did do find with Similac Advanced while we had samples to use.

If WIC will pay for it, let them. When I was supplimenting and on WIC, they would give you whatever your doctor had recommended which was Enfamil for us at the time. I have also heard good things about Similac Advanced. WIC will ask you how much you are supplimenting and give you the formula based on that info so you don't have to worry about having tons extra because they are trying to give you enough for an exclusively bottle fed baby. You will only know if your little one will have problems with the formula after you have given it too him. Most babies have more gas with a bottle no matter the formula so be aware of that and have the gas drops ready. As for pumping, try to pump BEFORE you nurse. You baby and always get more out of you then you can pump so if you pump some first, then he will be depleting your milk supply naturally which will help to stimulate your milk production. Don't give up on it yet. I had to suppliment with my first one and I was always with her. We breastfed for 9 months even with the suppliments so it is possible to do both.

If switching to formula will make your life easier and happier, do it! Your son will be happier if you are, remember that! If you're feeling adventurous, then I suggest pumping exclusively and giving him a bottle of either breastmilk, formula, or both. With school starting your days are about to get crazy busy and it takes far too long to breast feed, bottle feed, then pump...I know first hand! I used a hands free device, kind of like a sports bra, that enabled me to pump while I fed my child through a bottle. You can also hook it up while the baby is sleeping and pump while you study, type, read, etc. Either decision will be good for your baby if it's good for you. I heard great things about Similac Advanced, I used Enfamil and then switched to Target brand, but I support the theory of whatever WIC pays for, use that. If your son doesn't like it or has a reaction (which is unlikely) you'll know quickly.