Talk me off the ledge (BFing moms especially)

LizDP

Anna starts daycare on Tuesday - I have maybe 9 bottles of breastmilk frozen. I am not pumping enough to just do BM at daycare, even though that would be ideal. There's not enough time in the day, especially since I'm back to work and Matt watches her a lot - so we're using the milk that I express.

She hates formula - this is my issue. Tell me she'll get used to it. I even tried mixing BM and formula in a bottle and she spit it all up. Ugh.

knittygrl

Hugs.  I would push the formula more.  What formula is she on?  As hard as it is I would try to get her used to the formula if there isn't going to be enough BM otherwise it will just get harder.  This may not be the popular opinion but I noticed that once I started supplementing my supply diminished very quickly so I just had to get her used to it.  Does she spit up when you give her formula only?  Try giving her smaller amounts or maybe a slower flow nipple?  I also heard that good start is a good formula for digesting proteins etc.  

MrsDonnelly2007

Is she STTN yet? If so, maybe add a pumping session after she goes down and do more BM in her bottles 60/40, 75/25. And gradually decrease the BM as she gets used to it?

BeachBaby07

are you warming the formula? 

LizDP

She tends to spit up with BM too, but with formula it's out of control and she spits it up right away. I've been trying Similac, but I will try anything at this point. I'm going to mix in one ounce of formula for her next bottle and see if that helps... It's such a hard transition for ME. I thought it would be easier because I thought she would prefer the formula. 

triciabell

hey mama! i guess you have two courses to explore - one would be to encourage her to accept the formula. the other would be to increase your capacity to express more milk. if you want to increase your supply, drink a ton of water. if you think you are drinking enough water, drink more! eat oatmeal. i ate oatmeal every morning. i worked oatmeal into my pancakes, homemade muffins, etc. i drank mother's milk tea at least twice a day. and.... pump as often as possible. when she's done nursing, you could pump right afterwards. i know it's a time suck, but your body will only produce what it's being asked to produce. the more you ask, the more you'll get. it's a demand and supply type relationship. i hope this helps! i love hearing your posts as a mama - it makes my heart smile!

LizDP

BeachBaby07:

are you warming the formula? 

Yup. 

LizDP

MrsDonnelly2007:

Is she STTN yet? If so, maybe add a pumping session after she goes down and do more BM in her bottles 60/40, 75/25. And gradually decrease the BM as she gets used to it?

She wakes up between 3-4am -- but that is a good idea, maybe I can pump once more at 10pm or so.  

lgndangel

Are you using the powdered formula or the ready to feed.  I found that S liked the RTF ones better than the powdered.  Yes, the RTF are more expensive but since we were also BFing, I as okay paying a little more.

A suggestion is to try to pump more at night to build a supply or maybe trying just giving her only formula for a few days while you build up a supply.  She might not drink the formula since she know that she can have BM if she holds out.

GL

LizDP

triciabell:

i love hearing your posts as a mama - it makes my heart smile!

Awwww, thank you so much Trish!  

I will try to drink more water. I wish I didn't hate oatmeal!! LOL 

knittygrl

Also you may want to call your Ped for advice.  I noticed in the past the advice they have given in regards to feeding issues has been really helpful.  I probably should give them a call regarding the question I just posted on here.  Warming it until really warm helps too.  I am had a really hard time weaning this go around.  I felt really guilty for some reason because she kept looking for my boob  It made me sad but for me it is the best choice for both of us due to many circumstances.

AngRoMarSi

I don't have experience with formula but wanted to share my experience in case it could work for you.  I realize it won't work for many but you never know...

I was able to go to daycare everyday at lunch and feed...I was then able to pump enough for the other bottles during the day with the help of fenugreek.  Luckily daycare and work were both within 5-10 min of home.  I had no freezer stash with my oldest due to dairy contamination in the early days and was able to bf 13 months.  It wasn't easy and I'm still not sure how it worked some days but I was able to get in an extra pumping session before my bedtime once DS started sleeping a little longer and that also helped.

Good luck to you...I know it's rough when you feel that you're not pumping enough... 

Leeba25

How much formula have you put in the bottles? I'd start really (really!) slowly. Like, put in just one ounce to start, mixed with mostly BM. And do that for a couple days, just very slowly working your way up. She'll get used to it. Bryce was a stinker about taking formula at first too.

biochemgirl

Liz we affectionately referred to these herbs as the "nasty stuff" in my house.  They taste gross but gave me a massive supply (if that the route you are trying to go-get a bit more when pumping, if not, please just disregard-no way shape or form and I trying to push BM).  I did the pills for a long time and when they stopped working I did the liquid

http://www.amazon.com/Gaia-Herbs-Lactate-Support-60-capsule/dp/B0036THLJK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328199318&sr=8-1 

http://www.amazon.com/Motherlove-More-Special-Blend-Liquid/dp/B000JY1DKI/ref=sr_1_3?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1328199359&sr=1-3

Andrea0429

I had heard that your milk supply was highest between 1am and 5am, not really the ideal pumping time, but I almost always made sure I did a pumping session during that time period.  A certain hormone level in your body is higher then, but the name is escaping me. 

Is she crying or upset when she's taking the formula too? Or she just spits up?  Maybe she's having a reaction to the formula.  Sorry, I don't know a whole lot about formula.

Good luck!

Trish's post rocks! 

LizDP

Thank you SO much everyone. I feel better "talking" to you all about this, because Matt is not helping - just because he doesn't have boobs and can't help!! LOL 

I will try pumping at night - either after she goes down or after our 3am feeding.

I will also try just an ounce of formula in the bottle to see if that helps.

AND I will call the ped. ;-) 

knittygrl

LizDP:

Thank you SO much everyone. I feel better "talking" to you all about this, because Matt is not helping - just because he doesn't have boobs and can't help!! LOL 

I will try pumping at night - either after she goes down or after our 3am feeding.

I will also try just an ounce of formula in the bottle to see if that helps.

AND I will call the ped. ;-) 

Yeah my husband is useless on this subject lol.  I think he just figures I will know what to do with feeding.  I am always asking him and trying to talk to him about it and he has like no feedback  Good luck!  I hope it goes smoothly! 

Kristen81603

try good start formula- it is more like breast milk in taste and consistency- it was the only formula Kieran would take when I went back to work for a short time-  

but if you want to increase your supply, then pump as much as you can, look into herbs and drink a lot of water.

 

LizDP

Kristen81603:

try good start formula- it is more like breast milk in taste and consistency- it was the only formula Kieran would take when I went back to work for a short time-  

Thank you - I'll try it! 

LizDP

Kristen81603:

try good start formula- it is more like breast milk in taste and consistency- it was the only formula Kieran would take when I went back to work for a short time-  

Thank you - I'll try it! 

molldoll71

Also, know she will get used to it.  She will not starve herself!!  I promise.  A little different but right before I went to work Billy started refusing bottles.  Would take nothing.  His first three days at daycare when I was away from him for TEN hours he drank 3 ozs the entire time!  I was hysterical and thought I was going to have to quit my job.  Don't you know by the end of the week he figured it out and started drinking from the bottles fine.  Just have Matt keep trying as she won't want it from you.

 Some pumping tips I have are also - use baby porn for let down (pictures of Anna), drink tons and tons of milk, keep pumping after it stops as you might get another let down, Mother's Milk Tea and fenugreek helped when I had supply issues.  Adding sessions helped.  Also, during the weekends nurse as much as possible and add a pumping session once a day for a little back up milk. 

No matter what, know that she will be fine whatever she drinks and if she is hungry she will drink whatever you give her!!

LizDP

molldoll71:

Also, know she will get used to it.  She will not starve herself!!  I promise.  A little different but right before I went to work Billy started refusing bottles.  Would take nothing.  His first three days at daycare when I was away from him for TEN hours he drank 3 ozs the entire time!  I was hysterical and thought I was going to have to quit my job.  Don't you know by the end of the week he figured it out and started drinking from the bottles fine.  Just have Matt keep trying as she won't want it from you.

 Some pumping tips I have are also - use baby porn for let down (pictures of Anna), drink tons and tons of milk, keep pumping after it stops as you might get another let down, Mother's Milk Tea and fenugreek helped when I had supply issues.  Adding sessions helped.  Also, during the weekends nurse as much as possible and add a pumping session once a day for a little back up milk. 

No matter what, know that she will be fine whatever she drinks and if she is hungry she will drink whatever you give her!!

Baby porn!! LOL - love it!!

Thank you SO much.  

wedding905

I would try Goodstart since it is supposed to be more like breast milk. Neither of my kids did well on similac.

natalie042205

I think if you can pump more, great, but i don't think its a supply issue. some people just don't pump a lot. I am nursing but pump once a day for 30 min so I have a little supply for when i am out. I am lucky to get 2 oz a pumping yet I know I have a good supply for nursing. 

D also hates formula. he isn't even thrilled with a bottle - I need to be out of the room for him to drink it. Maybe at daycare she will take it knowing you and the milk supply arent there.