Got bullied into combi-feeding, feeling like a bit of a failure

[Tawn]

So I posted awhile back about my DD not gaining enough weight and my HV getting very concerned. She gave me some time to see if it was a phase, but after 4 weeks, during which I paid for a LC to come help me boost my supply and I fought SO HARD to do everything I could to continue EBF, she still only gained about 4oz. and dropped from just below the 75th percentile to just under the 25th.

I was then refered to peads at the hospital, and basically strong armed into adding 10oz of formula a day because they said she was "failing to thrive" and I felt so guilty. Then her weight leapt up, almost a full lb gained the first week (15oz) then 11oz the next and so on, gaining weight like crazy. They say that the weight gain is OK and she isn't being overfed, but I wonder if I might ever be able to cut the formula back out?

It really constipates her and causes so much spit up, I just hate that it doesn't seem to settle well with her stomach. Plus I feel so guilty, not understanding WHY I couldn't produce enough milk, even though I did everything every book and expert told me to and was feeding on demand religiously ever 1.5-2hrs.

Has anyone successfully returned to EBF after having to combi-feed for awhile?

 

[justkitty]

Reduce it a little & see

 

[megrenade]

I haven't. But I fed my son for 30-45 minutes at a time and never more than an hour in between. Feeding often is normal and necessary. Their tummies are only the size of a MARBLE when they are born and don't require much milk, just little amounts very frequently.

Keep trying to BF and reduce the formula slowly.. pump between feedings if you need to and keep your breasts stimulated to make milk.

It is SO worth it to breastfeed.. I've never spent more than $50/mo. on my son and we have so much extra money since we don't buy formula.. not to mention how healthy it is!

Just stay positive and keep going

 

[mamademarc]

I did a week of mixed breast and formula as they were worried my LO wasn't gaining enough weight. Then he started putting on a lot of weight so I went back to just breast. Some people combine if tney have a hungry baby. Just make sure you put you LO on the breast first before offering formula to keep your supply up.

 

[starshinebby]

So I posted awhile back about my DD not gaining enough weight and my HV getting very concerned. She gave me some time to see if it was a phase, but after 4 weeks, during which I paid for a LC to come help me boost my supply and I fought SO HARD to do everything I could to continue EBF, she still only gained about 4oz. and dropped from just below the 75th percentile to just under the 25th.

I was then refered to peads at the hospital, and basically strong armed into adding 10oz of formula a day because they said she was "failing to thrive" and I felt so guilty. Then her weight leapt up, almost a full lb gained the first week (15oz) then 11oz the next and so on, gaining weight like crazy. They say that the weight gain is OK and she isn't being overfed, but I wonder if I might ever be able to cut the formula back out?

It really constipates her and causes so much spit up, I just hate that it doesn't seem to settle well with her stomach. Plus I feel so guilty, not understanding WHY I couldn't produce enough milk, even though I did everything every book and expert told me to and was feeding on demand religiously ever 1.5-2hrs.

Has anyone successfully returned to EBF after having to combi-feed for awhile?

The same exact thing is happening to me and my 3mo son. We're combi-feeding though it's slowly becoming where he only wants the bottle and won't stay on the breast for more that a few minutes before getting very angry and pushing away from the breast. (I think my letdown is really slow. It kind of has milk there and then it goes away/slows down and takes a second for the rest of the letdown to happen, if that makes sense?)

It breaks my heart. I'm taking my prenatals still and taking 3 fenugreek capsules 3 times a day (just started that on Tuesday) and pumping when I can (usually at night when SO is home to help with LO) and he still doesn't seem satisfied with just the breast.

I am confident that I can ween out formula though. I'm trying to build up my supply and so far it seems to be working but I might end up having to bottle feed him pumped BM if he won't take to the breast again. :/

Just know you aren't alone in this. I wish you the best of luck at this.

 

[starshinebby]

I just started doing a bit of research on re-latching. I hadn't done any before now, assuming that it would be easy to get my LO back on to the breast.

https://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/child/back-to-breast/

And this woman pumped for her daughter exclusively. She has a lot of good advice and articles on increasing and maintaining supply.

https://www.mamaandbabylove.com/2012/03/07/how-to-increase-your-milk-supply/

Hoping some of these help you as they are helping me right now.

 

[monte3375]

For those forced to combifeec, how slow was growth in the first 3 months.

 

[monte3375]

My boy doc today, went from 9.14
Last week to 10.3 today. Doc was fine and said some babies are just smaller than others and he was strong and tone.