bottle and breast???

[em82]

Is anyone breast feeding and offering formula too?

x

 

[tinytoes]

i've been struggling for the last 2 days with my breast feeding so i bought a formula for emergencies. its one by nestle and is designed to be used in conjunction with breast feeding. i hope to not use it often but when i am so sore i'd rather give that to baby than sit and cry or leave him hungry. he just had his first bottle and is now sleeping happy as larry. though i feel mildly guilty...

 

[Alexas Mommy]

I give Alexa formula every now and then... mostly when we have to go out for a long car drive.. I used to feel guilty about it, but what can ya do... I use similac...

 

[Serene123]

If you want to breast feed you should really try to do it exclusively. Trust me, doing both got me into abit of a pickle!

 

[Carley]

I second that, slowly I started using my formula and my supply got less and less I'd hate to see that happen to you all!

 

[sonny]

I do both quite well.
I was recommended in special care to do both and tried going exclusively BF but it seemed my supply wasnt coming and really was a nightmare for me so am doing both as she is thriving.

say if she has 6 feeds a day usually 3-4 of them she has boobie for half hour first then drinks whatever she wants.I also express to put her meds in,but still can only express 1oz
I feel so so so much better in myself with less pressure after trying to work out whether to bottle only or BF.....its working so im not stopping lol

Do what feels right for you

 

[em82]

thanks for replies

for last week I have been BF and then he been having 4oz formula once at night. last night he has 2 bottles formula and the rest off me. i just dont seem to satisfy him completly and he seems more settled now.
bless him tho took him to doc this am and he has a chest infedction now

x

 

[reallytinyamy]

I'm exactly the same em, chloe doesnt seem satisfied by my milk any more. I top her up with a bottle after shes been on the breast and she settles well but still has the goodness of breast milk. it works for us at the moment

 

[alyxzandra]

I do not seem to be producing enough for my son. So, I breastfeed him from each breast first and then top up with formula. At first, he was taking a lot of formula, but as my milk has been coming in more he needs less. I've been trying to get him exclusively on breast, but it is just not happening. I do feel a bit bad for giving him formula, but am clueless as to what to do. I've contacted the NCT for a breastfeeding counsellor as I am at my wits end.

 

[tinytoes]

I am at my wits end.

as long as you're doing your best don't beat yourself up about it.

 

[marley2580]

It's important to remember that breast milk is much easier to digest than formula, meaning that the baby seems more hungry when on breast milk. Also, many people think that their milk is not enough as the baby always seems to be eating, but in fact the baby is just going through a growth spurt - be very careful about supplementing with formula during this time as your body needs the baby's cues to start producing more milk, without it your supply will not keep up with your baby's needs. It's very rare that a woman's milk is not enough for a baby before their first birthday. Definatly speak to a lactation counsellor if you're having issues.

 

[alyxzandra]

It's important to remember that breast milk is much easier to digest than formula, meaning that the baby seems more hungry when on breast milk. Also, many people think that their milk is not enough as the baby always seems to be eating, but in fact the baby is just going through a growth spurt - be very careful about supplementing with formula during this time as your body needs the baby's cues to start producing more milk, without it your supply will not keep up with your baby's needs. It's very rare that a woman's milk is not enough for a baby before their first birthday. Definatly speak to a lactation counsellor if you're having issues.

I tried to just give breast and he can be on each breast for hours on end. My friend told me to remove him when he stops suckling and then put him back on. I tried that. I read to limit him on each breast and am doing that now. It has limited success. But, he will then suckle and when I remove him, will root for the nipple. He is not happy unless he is latched on for hours and will start screaming. However, if he gets a top up of formula he will go right to sleep. I asked for help from the midwives, but to no avail. Asked for a referral to a breastfeeding counsellor, but was told they handle any issues and was not given any real advice except to ensure he was latched on correctly (he was). I've now contacted the NCT but was not available when they called back so will call back tomorrow. Has anyone else experienced the problems I am now having?

 

[KarenLV]

I only use formula for outings. He only drinks very little from it and waits until we get home for a proper feed.My breastmilk supply is very good still. Sometimes too much!

 

[marley2580]

It's important to remember that breast milk is much easier to digest than formula, meaning that the baby seems more hungry when on breast milk. Also, many people think that their milk is not enough as the baby always seems to be eating, but in fact the baby is just going through a growth spurt - be very careful about supplementing with formula during this time as your body needs the baby's cues to start producing more milk, without it your supply will not keep up with your baby's needs. It's very rare that a woman's milk is not enough for a baby before their first birthday. Definatly speak to a lactation counsellor if you're having issues.

I tried to just give breast and he can be on each breast for hours on end. My friend told me to remove him when he stops suckling and then put him back on. I tried that. I read to limit him on each breast and am doing that now. It has limited success. But, he will then suckle and when I remove him, will root for the nipple. He is not happy unless he is latched on for hours and will start screaming. However, if he gets a top up of formula he will go right to sleep. I asked for help from the midwives, but to no avail. Asked for a referral to a breastfeeding counsellor, but was told they handle any issues and was not given any real advice except to ensure he was latched on correctly (he was). I've now contacted the NCT but was not available when they called back so will call back tomorrow. Has anyone else experienced the problems I am now having?

How old is he hun? Kaya was like this for a while, and still is when she's teething or having a growth spurt. We co sleep, so I would just lie down and plug her in and she would stay like that for the night while we both slept (I would swap sides every so often). Some babies are just sucky babies and suck for comfort as well as food, could this be what he's doing? There are some slings that mean you can wear your baby and feed him at the same time. If he wasn't getting enough from you he would be failing to thrive, and would not be having lots of wet and dirty nappies.

 

[Margerle]

It's important to remember that breast milk is much easier to digest than formula, meaning that the baby seems more hungry when on breast milk. Also, many people think that their milk is not enough as the baby always seems to be eating, but in fact the baby is just going through a growth spurt - be very careful about supplementing with formula during this time as your body needs the baby's cues to start producing more milk, without it your supply will not keep up with your baby's needs. It's very rare that a woman's milk is not enough for a baby before their first birthday. Definatly speak to a lactation counsellor if you're having issues.

I tried to just give breast and he can be on each breast for hours on end. My friend told me to remove him when he stops suckling and then put him back on. I tried that. I read to limit him on each breast and am doing that now. It has limited success. But, he will then suckle and when I remove him, will root for the nipple. He is not happy unless he is latched on for hours and will start screaming. However, if he gets a top up of formula he will go right to sleep. I asked for help from the midwives, but to no avail. Asked for a referral to a breastfeeding counsellor, but was told they handle any issues and was not given any real advice except to ensure he was latched on correctly (he was). I've now contacted the NCT but was not available when they called back so will call back tomorrow. Has anyone else experienced the problems I am now having?

Yes, the first 6 weeks I was feeding every 2 hours when it took baby almost 2 hours to eat. For the first four weeks, I was feeding every two hours and it took baby 1.5 hours to eat most of the time. Now I'm feeding every 3 hours or so and baby is eating in about 20 mins or so.

She has nearly doubled her birthweight.

I do not limit the time on either breast, and I feed on demand. This helps the prolactin receptors (milk making hormone responders) grow in number within the breast (this helps my breast make milk quickly and efficiently), and it makes sure baby is getting the necessary fatty hindmilk for that satisfied feeling, and awesome brain building fats.

I work full time and have since 7 days after giving birth. I take LO to work with me most days in a moby (close carrier) and I work, and she bf's when she needs to.


Hang in there mama

 

[JennyOwens]

I work full time and have since 7 days after giving birth. I take LO to work with me most days in a moby (close carrier) and I work, and she bf's when she needs to.


Hang in there mama

Oh my god Margerle! Are you superwoman or something?! I am in awe!

But on this topic - yeah I agree with all the other exclusively Bf-ing mummies... you just need to let them suck and eat when they want. Its not as easy as bottle feeding but it will be eventually!

 

[claire1983]

It's important to remember that breast milk is much easier to digest than formula, meaning that the baby seems more hungry when on breast milk. Also, many people think that their milk is not enough as the baby always seems to be eating, but in fact the baby is just going through a growth spurt - be very careful about supplementing with formula during this time as your body needs the baby's cues to start producing more milk, without it your supply will not keep up with your baby's needs. It's very rare that a woman's milk is not enough for a baby before their first birthday. Definatly speak to a lactation counsellor if you're having issues.

I tried to just give breast and he can be on each breast for hours on end. My friend told me to remove him when he stops suckling and then put him back on. I tried that. I read to limit him on each breast and am doing that now. It has limited success. But, he will then suckle and when I remove him, will root for the nipple. He is not happy unless he is latched on for hours and will start screaming. However, if he gets a top up of formula he will go right to sleep. I asked for help from the midwives, but to no avail. Asked for a referral to a breastfeeding counsellor, but was told they handle any issues and was not given any real advice except to ensure he was latched on correctly (he was). I've now contacted the NCT but was not available when they called back so will call back tomorrow. Has anyone else experienced the problems I am now having?

Hi I am a breastfeeding supporter - try to avoid giving him the formula, I know its hard when he is attached so much but he needs to be there so that your breasts are stimulated to produce enough milk, however if he is just sitting at the breast and not suckling, try stroking his cheek to stimulate him to start up again but dont remove him until he is ready - you need to practice baby led demand feeding as this is the most effective way to feed. What position is his body in when he is feeding, if he isnt comfortable he wont feed effectively, make sure his body is in a nice straight line with no twists in his body - (imagine eating off your shoulder) babies cannot feed effectively if their necks are twisted. Make sure he has the freedom to move his head - he should be tilting his head back to feed (imagine trying to drink with your chin on your chest) and make sure sure there is a little gap between his nose and your breat so he can breathe. His mouth should be wide wide open when he latches on and your nipple should be at the back at the top of his mouth (if you run your tongue along the roof of your mouth you will notice it is hard from the front and then all of a sudden it goes soft - that soft bit is where your nipple should be!) I hope you have more luck - it sounds like you are lacking in support - try phoning the national breastfeeding helpline on 0844 20 909 20

 

[tinytoes]

.

I work full time and have since 7 days after giving birth. I take LO to work with me most days in a moby (close carrier) and I work, and she bf's when she needs to.


Hang in there mama

omg i agree you ARE superwoman!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tinytoes]

i am now breastfeeding all day and just giving my LO a big bottle of formula before bedtime. I find it helps his colic and helps him sleep for longer - about 6.5 or 7 hours in one shot last night! He has his bottle then as we co sleep at teh mo i lay down and pop him on the boob for 10 minutes which sends him off to dream land.

I think I'll keep this bottle of milk routine up and then keep it going when he's a bigger boy too - give him a glass of warm milk before bedtime to help him sleep.

I'm hoping this one bottle a day wont affect my milk production - i continue to bf during the night feed and all day - though he does seem to feed every 1.5 or 2 hours during the day for around an hour at a time. Sometimes he dozes off during the feed and I'll put him down, but it's not a good idea - he wakes up grumpy and screams - i think he thinks i stole his boobie from him while he was sleeping! hehe. bless him.

 

[Angelica]

I have introduced a few formula feeds now as it seems that my princess is not totally satisfied on breast milk.. BUT the thing is after it seems like she's had enough of sucking & cant get anymore out, if I squeeze my breast there is still milk there so I dont fully understand whats going on?