Having to start combi feeding at 6 months - supply question

[Skittleblue]

After a rough start and having to supplement at the beginning, I was so proud to get to and stay exclusively breastfeeding. I'm starting back to work tomorrow, though, and she's going to be taking solids and some formula while I'm at work since I'll only be able to pump once during the workday. During the 8 hours I'm away from her, she'll get 2 bottles (one breastmilk and one formula), but since I'm only going to be pumping once, how badly is my supply likely to suffer? I'm really, really wanting to make it to at least a year but I keep hearing how combi feeding makes that less likely.

 

[gardenofedens]

If there's really no way to pump more than once during the workday, your body will learn to not produce as much during those hours unfortunately. Could you pump again after your LO goes to bed? I know I had worried that the pump would empty my bbs and not leave anything for DD but I've now learned this isn't the case and that your LO will always be able to get more than you could pump. You can also try various supplements. I liked the whole wheat chocolate chip oatmeal cookies the best, personally. The recipe is online by the name of Lactation Cookies. I also tried alfalfa capsules which also worked during pregnancy. And several people I know tried Fenugreek with success. I think the most important thing is trusting yourself and your body to do what it needs to do to take care of your LO. You will have a decline in production anyway just due to your LO taking in some solids but let her nurse as often as possible when you're around and you should be able to keep it up. Good luck!

 

[Skittleblue]

Thanks. I was planning to start on fenugreek and the cookies again, but I was afraid a decrease was inevitable. I really have no choice- my lunch break is the only time I can count on other than the middle of the night if I want to go back to doing that, and I talked to my boss today to make sure there's no other. Apparently on some days, I will have extra time, but it will be pretty much right after lunch, so still not ideal.

I get that my body will learn to make less during those hours, but she will still be nursing morning, evening, and night (nursing at least 4 times, sometimes more overnight since we bedshare, and pumping once). I guess what I'm worried about is having enough when she's with me. Should I expect a problem there? I'll do pumping in the middle of the night if I have to, I just really, really don't want to.

 

[gardenofedens]

Thanks. I was planning to start on fenugreek and the cookies again, but I was afraid a decrease was inevitable. I really have no choice- my lunch break is the only time I can count on other than the middle of the night if I want to go back to doing that, and I talked to my boss today to make sure there's no other. Apparently on some days, I will have extra time, but it will be pretty much right after lunch, so still not ideal.

I get that my body will learn to make less during those hours, but she will still be nursing morning, evening, and night (nursing at least 4 times, sometimes more overnight since we bedshare, and pumping once). I guess what I'm worried about is having enough when she's with me. Should I expect a problem there? I'll do pumping in the middle of the night if I have to, I just really, really don't want to.

I guess the laws would be different in TN versus CA, but maybe if you show/give this to your boss, he can work something out? (https://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/breastfeeding/Documents/MO-MinRequire.pdf) I don't think I'd worry about not having enough when you're with her. Her suckling alone will encourage your body to make more when she's closeby. I hated pumping in the middle of the night and only did if I was seriously engorged so hopefully you won't have to resort to that! Another way to get a supply built up would be to pump on one side while she's nursing on the other. Then when she reaches letdown, you can catch it all on the other side too.