bottle and breast???

[tinytoes]

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?

gets tired? Needs burping?
My LO can do the same thing in the evening - breaks off crying. Its his colic i think.

 

[Angelica]

But she's fine as soon as I give her a top up with formula??

 

[ryder]

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.

Must be nice to have that luxury! Most women either have to stop working if they want to breastfeed, or pump or formula feed if they must go back to work. You don't hear of many women being able to do that.




Angelica- many babies do just fine on formula and breastmilk! MANY babies feed very sucessfully and exclusively off formula from the beginning with no issues (not sugegsting you stop BF'ing here at all).

I hate hearing people say they feel bad or guilty about not breastfeeding exclusively, it really is sad, and there are alot of different situations and reasons for doing different things.

Have you tried pumping? It sounds like you have a good milk supply, you could easily pump and mix the formula with your breastmilk... The at least your still stimulating the increase of your breastmilk.

Each to their own, what works for one mother and baby, does not always work for the other. The only one who knows whats best for your baby is you and no choice you make will ever be bad or make you a bad mom, so have confidence!

 

[sonny]

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.

Must be nice to have that luxury! Most women either have to stop working if they want to breastfeed, or pump or formula feed if they must go back to work. You don't hear of many women being able to do that.




Angelica- many babies do just fine on formula and breastmilk! MANY babies feed very sucessfully and exclusively off formula from the beginning with no issues (not sugegsting you stop BF'ing here at all).

I hate hearing people say they feel bad or guilty about not breastfeeding exclusively, it really is sad, and there are alot of different situations and reasons for doing different things.

Have you tried pumping? It sounds like you have a good milk supply, you could easily pump and mix the formula with your breastmilk... The at least your still stimulating the increase of your breastmilk.

Each to their own, what works for one mother and baby, does not always work for the other. The only one who knows whats best for your baby is you and no choice you make will ever be bad or make you a bad mom, so have confidence!

Really well said Ryder!!!!
There is a lot of guilt about not exclusively breastfeeding and a lot of pressure to do so in the media and by midwives etc

I was getting so worked up because i was doing both and was told it wasnt best that i tried going exclusively BF and couldnt do it my supply just didnt seem to be coming,i felt so guilty and thought i would have to just do bottle......that broke my heart but then i read a book where it clearly states...."you can do both" and told you how!! i was astonished as the midwives will not tell you this! and being a 1st time mummy i didnt have a clue!
I feel so much more confident and settled in myself knowing it is quite "normal" to do both too.

It shows its a big thumbs up to every mummy whatever their choice of feeding is. You do what is best for you and your baby.

 

[marley2580]

I don't think that anyone here is trying to make people feel guilty. People are not saying that you shouldn't do both if that's what's best for you, BUT if someone is wanting to breast feed full time then they do need to limit the bottles they give as supplimenting can and does affect the supply.

 

[ryder]

I don't think that anyone here is trying to make people feel guilty..

Sorry Marley, there are definately some very one sided posters on this BB, which is unfortunate, as I think we should all be supportive of each other no matter what decision is made. Some of the facts people try and push on here arn't entirely true either, and are totally dependant on more than one factor...

 

[marley2580]

I agree that there are one sided posters - on both sides. That's the nature of a public forum. I've yet to see any untrue facts posted, and on this thread I have not seen anyone trying to make people feel guilty, people have asked for help and advice and people are offering it. Please don't bring arguments from the pregnancy club forum over into this one.

 

[ryder]

I agree that there are one sided posters - on both sides. That's the nature of a public forum. I've yet to see any untrue facts posted, and on this thread I have not seen anyone trying to make people feel guilty, people have asked for help and advice and people are offering it. Please don't bring arguments from the pregnancy club forum over into this one.

While there may not be anyone intentionally making others feel guilty, some of the things and ways people post things have made others feel like they are doing something wrong.

 

[marley2580]

I don't mean to argue with you, but have they actually told you this or are you just assuming? Unfortunatly you can't please everyone all of the time and sometimes people will say things that others disagree with. It doesn't mean that they are trying to make people feel guilty. Sometimes you just have to agree to disagree.

 

[Zarababy1]

I give charlie formula every now and then if im REALLY tierd i go to my mums and have a sleep she gives him a bottle so i can rest, or if he's really unsettled and he's been feeding none stop for a few hours i give him a bottle it normaly fills him up and he settles down, the only problem we have is he doesnt poo properly after having it, im planning on doing both when i go back to work so it has to be done really i feel bad that he gets bunnged up but after a few days of exclusive BF it all comes out!

 

[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?

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

Hi, thanks for responding. I've had a breastfeeding counsellor here yesterday and today. She's checked my latch and while it can be improved, she said it was not bad and he is getting breast milk. She also checked his position and showed me a new one where he is on top of me. She's been watching me breastfeed and it is believed I may be one of the few who do not have enough supply. I can have him weighed after every feed, but he will scream the place down if I do that. I am considering asking for a scale from the health visitor and see if this is the case. However, even when the counsellor saw he was latched on properly, he would only suckle a bit and stop, suckle and stop. I have to keep stroking him to prompt him.

One thing I did not think about is my family history until I mentioned it in passing to her today. Neither my great-grandmother, grandmother or mother were able to breastfeed. I was always told they were cases in point where large breasted women are not always able to breastfeed, which is how I know about it.

I was trying to do breast exclusively at first in the hospital, but he was never able to settle. In fact, the midwife sent someone in who showed how to breastfeed my son. She was the one who suggested a breastfeeding pillow and the best way to feed him since I am very large busted (size 38L). I will continue to breastfeed, but it looks like I may have to use formula, as well. It disheartens me, but it looks like I cannot exclusively breastfeed.

 

[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?

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.

Sebastian will be 2 weeks old on Sunday. When I say he is on the breast for hours on end, yesterday was a case in point. I totally refused to give him the bottle as he has been on both. So, from 3:30pm - 11pm he had no formula and only 2 bottles - 1 at 10am and 1 at 3:30pm. Both times he was put on the breast beforehand. Well, he was on the breast from 5pm - 11pm. He would come off for 10 minutes, sleep a bit, wake up and scream. In total, he was off the breast for an hour. I finally caved in at 11pm and when he got the bottle he slept until 2am. We get wet, dirty nappies, but I am not sure if it is formula, breast or both. As I just wrote in another post, there is a family history of not being able to breastfeed in my family. And I've had a breastfeeding counsellor here, as well. I thought there was an element that he may want comfort, but even when I hold him and swaddle him, he will not settle. And I am too scared to co-sleep with him. I have a sling to carry him in front, but have not used it yet.

 

[Iwantone!!!]

ur all wicked woman as you all doing right by ur babies whether that be bottle feeding breast feeding or a mixture of the two u should be proud of what you do for ur baby ur ll doing right by ur babies keep up the good work x

 

[marley2580]

it is believed I may be one of the few who do not have enough supply.

Really sorry to hear this, sometimes it does happen. Even if your LO only gets a few feeds from you and the rest is formula - every little helps. The breastfeeding gives you a sense of closeness as well. Good luck with whatever you decide.