breast feeding + formula

Nicky - posted on 11/29/2012

It sounds like your baby is not breastfeeding properly. When breastfeeding is going well, babies nurse contentedly and settle in between feeding. They usually nurse between 8-12 times a day. The baby is cranky because she is having trouble latching and transferring milk at the breast. When a bottle is introduced before a baby is well established on the breast, the baby becomes nipple confused. Then, because she can't get your milk, the breast is not emptied so the milk begins to dry up. It's not possible to give her your milk during the day if baby can't nurse properly. A lactation consultant can help you with this by teaching you how to latch the baby better and use manual compression while she's nursing to help her get milk until her sucking improves. Giving a baby a bottle who is trying to learn how to breastfeed always leads to breastfeeding failure. It's not possible to give breast and bottle to a newborn. The lactation consultant will assess how much milk the baby is drinking at the breast and if necessary show you how to pump your milk and give the expressed milk to baby at the breast with a supplemental nursing system. Usually this is only needed for a very short time because a baby's suck improves very quickly when the baby is rewarded at the breast and the bottles have been eliminated. Nicky, IBCLC

Kathy - posted on 10/01/2009

Quoting Michele:

I had almost the same problem as you. I was in labor for 4 days and finally had a c section. I was exhausted and in pain and was supposed to start breastfeeding my son. He had trouble latching at first, but then we realized that I wasn't producing enough milk. I was told to keep trying for the first day and then the pediatrician came and told me he was starting to lose weight and so I had to supplement with formula. Every 2 hours he was hungry, so I tried to feed, did formula after, then pumped. This struggle went on for 3 months before my OBGYN finally told me that it was more important that I rest more and if I took the stress of trying to produce the milk away I would enjoy my feeding times more and finally have time to heal. The most important milk is that first thick stuff that comes out right after giving birth for that first week. Good start works great, and the green can is one that has he immune help an infant normally gets from his mother's milk. For the first 3-4 months use that one and then you can go to orange.

Honestly, the formula today s so much more advanced then when we were children. If you just do formula after a few months don't beat yourself up about it. It's just as good and you'll have a much easier time of it. Bring bottles of water and a can of formula to your room at night. Feeding your baby girl room temperature water is actually better than warming it up.

Thats exactly how we're doing the bed time feeding, my hubby gives her a bottle while I pump, just to keep up with the supply and demand for when I am healed. We are using Good Start, ironically because my mom-in-law and I both entered a thing thru where I got my maternity clothes and both got a free can, and we decided free was a good place to start. What has been really good is with the formula she sleeps most of the night, so we can get some rest helping me heal faster (hopefully) which will make it easier to enjoy my baby girl, which I have been doing as much as I possibly can.

Leslie - posted on 10/01/2009

I think you have to do what you are doing and that is try all combinations until you find the one that works for you. I also had a c section and now have a bacteria infection that I have to be on medication and cannot breast feed while on it. I m switching to formula one because of the infection and two I go back to work not looking forward to this. Did you also try adding breast milk to the formula that tends to help, it is easier on the stomach. If all she is doing is crying no other signs then it is possible it just is gas. Good Luck!!

Lorna - posted on 10/01/2009

hi i breastfed my first girl then with my boy i moved to germany when he was 3 wks old and had to supplemenmt brest with formula, i eventually stopped because of the stress of moving and he had such a whopping appetite. there is no doubt that breast milk is better nutrionally for babies but the other raelly important issue is that the mom is felling well awake and able to enjoy her baby without the judgement of proffesionals and self inflicted guilt. we are so worried about doing the right thing sometimes things get out of perspective and its more important that you are bonded and building a good relationship with your child, enjoying the gurgles and smiles, wind or not, that you never get back and a filled up baby is a happy baby.

Lauren - posted on 09/30/2009

i know that if your breastfeeding relationship is important to you, you need to keep at it as breastfeeding is a supply and demand deal. if you supplement with formula too much, it can really throw off your milk supply. i know that many babies are senstive/ allergic to formula and that could be the issue here. a great resource for you online is the "hey facebook, breastfeeding is not obcene" group. they were able to encourage me when we were struggling with mastitis, latching problems, sleeping problems- everything.

Diana - posted on 09/30/2009

Quoting Kathy:

that is very clear lol... I hope your little guy is doing great now!!

He is, thanks! He's a little above 13 pounds now at 6 months.

So just do what you feel like would help you heal best and make you both happy. =)

Michele - posted on 09/30/2009

I had almost the same problem as you. I was in labor for 4 days and finally had a c section. I was exhausted and in pain and was supposed to start breastfeeding my son. He had trouble latching at first, but then we realized that I wasn't producing enough milk. I was told to keep trying for the first day and then the pediatrician came and told me he was starting to lose weight and so I had to supplement with formula. Every 2 hours he was hungry, so I tried to feed, did formula after, then pumped. This struggle went on for 3 months before my OBGYN finally told me that it was more important that I rest more and if I took the stress of trying to produce the milk away I would enjoy my feeding times more and finally have time to heal. The most important milk is that first thick stuff that comes out right after giving birth for that first week. Good start works great, and the green can is one that has he immune help an infant normally gets from his mother's milk. For the first 3-4 months use that one and then you can go to orange.

Honestly, the formula today s so much more advanced then when we were children. If you just do formula after a few months don't beat yourself up about it. It's just as good and you'll have a much easier time of it. Bring bottles of water and a can of formula to your room at night. Feeding your baby girl room temperature water is actually better than warming it up.

De-anne - posted on 09/30/2009

With my first daughter I breastfed her till the year she turned 3. I felt I could do that and was happy to do it. She is now 8. My 2nd daugher who is just 2 weeks old, is breastfed too. I am unsure how long I will BF her for. We will see. I only wish I would get more sleep and she wouldn't get so restless. We are both surviving and her big sister is a huge help to us since we are in our last week of our 2 week school holiday break till December. All the best everyone with your little ones.

Astrid - posted on 09/30/2009

I think you need to listen to your baby. When Oscar was born, I had a big rash and needed to take medication during night time. I choose to breast feed him during the day, and to stop for 6 hours giving him formula. he adapted himself very well. As soon as my rash has gone after 3 weeks, I kept giving him one bottle of formula per day : the last one before going to bed. When he was 5 months old, I stopped breast feeding him and he had no problem taking a bottle then. He was 4.400 kg when he was born and I think my milk wasn't sufficient to feed him. We found our routine together. today he is 2&1/2 years old and he is a great little boy :)

Gemma - posted on 09/30/2009

I breastfed my baby till she was nearly 3months, intill i caught the sickness bug and i wasn't allowed no contact with my baby so i had no choice to give her formula, i also found now she is on formula she will sleep through the night (most times) and don't want a feed as often as she does. I know it affects the milk if you are ill, but its your choice:) If you breastfeed and do formula bottles atleast bubba will get use to the formula so you won't be struggling when it comes to you being ill again. I def had the trouble getting my daughter to take formula!

Kathy - posted on 09/29/2009

that is very clear lol... I hope your little guy is doing great now!!

Diana - posted on 09/29/2009

I just had to do what I had to do.



My baby was born 8 weeks early because I had pre-eclampsia. I pumped while he was in the NICU, as the nurses assured me that he was too young to have nipple confusion, so they started bottle feeding him because they needed to monitor how much he was eating while he was learning to feed without a tube.



When he was a month old (a week after beginning with bottles) they allowed me to try breastfeeding, but he just wouldn't do it. The nurses assured me that it woudl just be a long process, and that once we got home and in a more relaxed environment he would likely breastfeed, so to keep trying. Once we came home I tried a few more time, but every time resulted in him screaming and me in tears.



I pumped exclusively for the first 3 months of his life, then began to wean myself off of the pump because keeping up with him and the pump was just too much. He was all breastfed until that point, when we began introducing formula as a supplement so that when we ran out of frozen milk (I built up a lot while he was in the NICU becuase I produced way more than he ate) he wouldn't just be dumped right onto formula.



I was a much happier person when I started pumping and quit trying to do something that was stressing out both my son and me, and although it was bittersweet, I was even happier when I stopped pumping.



So the short of the long is-do what makes you and your family happy and healthy. Babies can be healthy and formula fed, and sometimes that's just what needs to happen. If you want to keep breastfeeding, then keep going. If you want to do some modified schedule that incorporates both, do that. Don't let anyone's opinions on the matter sway you-just go with your gut and with what makes you guys happy and healthy, because those are the most important things for you guys right now-you while healing, your husband while adjusting to the new addition, and the new addition while adjusting to the world.



Is that clear as mud? ;)

Becky - posted on 09/29/2009

you are your baby's first doctor, remember that!!! you know what is best and not. go with your gut and things wil be fine. hope all is well

Sharyn - posted on 09/29/2009

Whats important and best for your little one is that her mommy is happy, and rested. I think if you can breastfeed as a mom - it's great. But sometimes it can be hard. I was adopted, and never had breast milk and i turned out ok. My son, was born at 11pound 7 and wasn't getting enough milk. He would cry all day long. At six weeks i put him on formula (against the advise of my lactation consultant) and he has thrived. Poor "little" man wasn't getting enough food. And i had been ready to pull my hair out because of stress and lack of sleep. It was best for me to formula feed. Do whats best for you!!!

Niki - posted on 09/29/2009

with my daughter i had milk supply issues so i bf and gave her formula, i had to switch her to GoodStart with the natural cultures, from enfamil A+, and i notice a huge difference the first night i had her switched to the good start. I would also like to mention that some antibiotics can affect ur milk supply, i would check out the Jack Newman breastfeeding website, and u can also email him and he will get back to u, and he is the leading md on breastfeeding and enfants. good luck and i hope u heal quickly :)

Ashley - posted on 09/29/2009

I bottle fed both of my children and they are perfectly healthy. I guess it all depends on how you feel about bottle and breast feeding. What kind of infection did you have? That might be a good reason to bottle feed for a while.
Good luck Ashley

Kathy - posted on 09/29/2009

Thank you and yes I love every minute with her. Drove me nuts in the ER being away from her. She was with my hubbys aunt and mom-in-law so good hands but first time away from me and I hated it!

Sara - posted on 09/29/2009

I think what you are doing is great!!! - my baby girl did the same thing and then she was colic, she cryed for hrs on end I know what you are going though - I didnt have any problems with infections thou. Stick to the plan pump pump pump!!! and remember what ever it takes for you to survive that is what it is best for you and your baby however many times your plan may change!!! You will enjoy your time with your baby anyway!

Kathy - posted on 09/29/2009

we did it & she slept all night!! Actually the paramedic was the first to tell me that it can affect the milk when trying to determine if there was infection when it opened, the dr confirmed it. I do have a few friends that will come over if needed to help with her. Lydia she is almost 8 days old.

I'm just REALLY wishing that my incision woulda stayed shut, it could be a bit of a long haul....

Lydia - posted on 09/29/2009

I had to top up with formula from day 1. It made her gassy but she was still happier that way than without getting enough milk. I tried experimenting with different bottle teats (none solved the problem but some did reduce it). Do what you think works best for your daughter. Gas may be uncomfortable but its generally less harmful than malnutrition. Other option is to find out if there is somewhere that supplies donated breastmilk for mums that are unable to supply enough themselves?

How old is bub? It could also be collic - if so you can try some homeopathic collic remedy to ease her discomfort also...good luck:)

Oh yeah - another help is to find someone who can take her for a few hours while you have a shower and a decent sleep when it becomes too much - this can save your sanity in the meantime!

Mimosa - posted on 09/29/2009

hi there, i am a mother of six and i have breast fed my first five till about 4 months i have a newborn now and i am breastfeeding he is 5 weeks old now and so far so good. I went on to formula feed the others partly because i got a little lazy with the others but then i also got Mastis with a couple of them so i know the pain, however at that time i just continued to feed and i would be rubbing my breast in the shower with a little baby oil to help the friction. It was painful but i continued and i found hand expressing to be easier to deal with the pain then the pump. What i did was kept the milk i expressed to feed to them later you can store this in the fridge/freezer and if you have to top up using formula Please buy Karicare Infant formula i reccommend that the most as it is made with vegetable fats not animal fats like some formulas, is sweeter then the others so closer to breast milk and less babies seem to have constipation or suffer stomache pain. I have worked in Pharmacy for over 10 years and have studied the formulas vigourisly. If you have been using another formula and the baby is doing fine then maybey stick to it as sometimes changing can affect them if you do want to change then you would need to do so gradually over the week so by introducing it slowly and building the amount of Karicare formula you give. I used Karicare gold but if your breastfeeding you can get the Karicare normal with light blue lid as the omega 3 and 6 will be suffient in your breast milk.
Babies also get coliciy even on breast and usually the same time every nite they might be irratable mine happens around 6 to 7ish in the evening so i have just been using a dummy and rubbing his back after i feed. I figured that continuing to feed him when is was upset only made his pain worse and i found that this helps. I think when babies are in pain with wind or whatever they try to keep feeding thinking it will get better and only make it worse. The other thing to remember is babies know when your stressed and this could make them even more iratable.
Formula feeding as a top up is fine and feeding at nite will keep them fuller longer and you could get some more sleep too, i would keep expressing as much as possible between feeds to keep your supply up and store the breast milk or give it to baby before formula so your only giving less formula of a nite if she is irratable at that time. I was never told that infections affect milk i was told to continue to feed them right through so not sure if this is something new they do now? Also as the mum you know best and i'd be doing what you think is right for you and for her, health nurses some seam to only want you to breast feed but i'd be doing what you gut tells you. Breast is best but formula is a close second and its alot better to have a happy well fed baby then it is to have a crying hungry one. Hope this helps.

Samina - posted on 09/29/2009

Hi Kathy

first congrats on having ur bundle of joy.I as in the same boat as you,Had a section and even in the hospitak my bay wouldnt latch on properly and wen he did it actually took him about an hour to feed.

He was so restless and cried all the time due to not having enough for his small tummy.plus he had a tongue tie which was making my breast so sore that it was unbearable.the nurse at the hospital found out and because i was to breast feed she made an appointment for tongue tie to be removed.Cut a long story short after the tonge tie it was much better.I had so many sleepless nights and i tried a mix of my own feed with formula milk just to satisfy his hunger.and now he is doing fine.he is about 5 weeks old now and takes about 15 mints to feed and the time in between the feed is about 1.5 to 2 hours.

my suggestion is that u carry on with breast feed and give her formula milk aswell.gradually she will be fne, because she is so small and not in a proper routine,its making both of u upset.I know its very hard to do and easy to say but just go with the flow.

hope that helps..and goodluck

Anna - posted on 09/29/2009

My daughter wouldn't breastfeed no matter how hard I tried (kept falling asleep and not latching) and I expressed and supplemented with formula for 4 months. By the end she was getting one feed of breastmilk every two days. She hasn't suffered at all. You could express to keep your milk going and tip it out until your infection is gone and then start her on it again. There are heaps of different formulas that have different attributes and if one doesn't suit her, try a different one

Victoria - posted on 09/29/2009

Quoting Chanda:

It is hard to know what to do sometimes when it comes to babies. I had a doctor that insisted that I feed my first born formula so I did and was not able to produce enough milk for him when I was allowed to a few days later. When you pump it does lessen your milk production. When my next child came along I had the same situation but this time I had a midwife and she said just to keep it up. The baby had no allergies but they changed my diet. What are you eating while feeding? Sometimes those things make a difference. That may not be the problem but I would encourage you to keep trying to breastfeed for it is healthier for your baby and see how things go after a few days. Do you know if your milk is rich enough for her? Is she eating enough? Does she eat more formula when given than when she is breastfeeding? I have heard that infections can affect your baby as well. I know how frustrating it can get but it doesn't last long. I am sorry that I cannot help you more. Please let me know how things go.

I'm not sure where you are getting your information from but pumping DOES NOT lessen your milk supply in fact the more you pump the more milk you produce. My first baby was small-for-dates and my milk supply wasn't great so I breastfeed using a supply line.  Supply line feeding is where you attach a feeding tube above your nipple so when the baby is attached it is receiving breastmilk and formula at the same time.  The more your breast is stimulated the more milk it will produce.  I did this for nine months and then continued to breastfeed (without a supplement) her until she was 26months old.  Good luck x

Victoria - posted on 09/28/2009

Quoting Chanda:

It is hard to know what to do sometimes when it comes to babies. I had a doctor that insisted that I feed my first born formula so I did and was not able to produce enough milk for him when I was allowed to a few days later. When you pump it does lessen your milk production. When my next child came along I had the same situation but this time I had a midwife and she said just to keep it up. The baby had no allergies but they changed my diet. What are you eating while feeding? Sometimes those things make a difference. That may not be the problem but I would encourage you to keep trying to breastfeed for it is healthier for your baby and see how things go after a few days. Do you know if your milk is rich enough for her? Is she eating enough? Does she eat more formula when given than when she is breastfeeding? I have heard that infections can affect your baby as well. I know how frustrating it can get but it doesn't last long. I am sorry that I cannot help you more. Please let me know how things go.

I'm not sure where you are getting your information from but pumping DOES NOT lessen your milk supply in fact the more you pump the more milk you produce. My first baby was small-for-dates and my milk supply wasn't great so I breastfeed using a supply line.  Supply line feeding is where you attach a feeding tube above your nipple so when the baby is attached it is receiving breastmilk and formula at the same time.  The more your breast is stimulated the more milk it will produce.  I did this for nine months and then continued to breastfeed (without a supplement) her until she was 26months old.  Good luck x

Robyn - posted on 09/28/2009

I got an infection after my section too, i was so worried about BFing too and everyone had something different to say about what to do when youre on meds and running fever. Honestly do what you feel is best, for me it was being able to breast feed my son. And i did have to supplement w/formula eventually b/c he wasnt gaining any wieght, but PLEASE dont stop pumping! keep that mommy milk coming, since it seems to be what you want. i had even mixed my milk and formula, they even have a formula that is meant just for that. And give her some time to adjust to it, find a formula that doesnt make her gassy, Similac Advanced worked for my son. As far a latching, i evenually had to buy a nipple shield and it was wonderful, but if you ever want your baby to just latch on her own dont just it everytime, but it really worked for me (and its like 6 bucks). i would say keep things consistant, maybe even a bath before bed time- everyone is different you just have to find what works for you and stick with it, and take shifts so u both can sleep! best adivse ever was to sleep when she sleeps! And I encourage you to keep with it- good luck!

Tanya - posted on 09/28/2009

I think if your baby is used to breast feeding the formula could possibly upset thier stomach because they are used to the milk they get when u breast feed im not sure. I breast fed my daughter for the majority of the time when we went away i pumped and gave her that. I would feed your child formula just to be on the safe I would feed formula just incase it does make the baby sick

Robin - posted on 09/28/2009

I breastfed my two sons, one did great, the other one not so well. But here's the point I want to make. I adopted a beautiful baby girl. I have had her from the day she was born. Breat feeding was not an option. I gave her nestle good start, and she is perfect. I understand breast feeding is best, but never feel guilty for having to supplement. Formula is not taboo, it is nutritionally sound.

Sharon - posted on 09/28/2009

I felt everything below my navel clinch up a little!! OW. Get your rest hun!

Jenifer - posted on 09/28/2009

Quoting Kathy:

no its not thrush, my incision came open yesterday so they dont know what kind yet.

Ouch! That sounds awful. :( I hope you can get some rest and recover soon!

Danaë - posted on 09/28/2009

Depending on the Infection but it shouldn't if it's mastitis it shouldn't affect you baby at all. In fact formula will give her more problems than your breastmilk. also what could be causing your infection could be that the baby is not draining your breast of all the milk. If all possible don't bottle feed because it confuses the baby and makes it less likely for her to want your breast (that's why she doesn't latch on for long). Try pumping after you breastfeedto keep your production up. I know it's exhausting but after you get he hang of it you'll be good also at night if you want your husband to help with the feeding pump and let him feed her at night. I've been breastfeeding my son since he was born and i know how hard it is at first but remember it's the best for YOU and HER.



On a side not I was 189 after baby ten months later I'm 130. I don't diet or exersice it's all the breastfeeding!! one more reason to stick with it!

GOOD LUCK!!

Kathy - posted on 09/28/2009

no its not thrush, my incision came open yesterday so they dont know what kind yet.

Jenifer - posted on 09/28/2009

If breastfeeding is something that is important to you, then I'd suggest you try to limit the formula use as much as possible. Supplementing in the first few weeks - even if you are pumping - could result in a low milk supply down the line (usually around the 3-4 months). If that isn't something that is a concern, then there's no problem with supplementing. But I would tend to agree with the health care nurse - babies have a harder time digesting formula than breastmilk, so the fussy/gassy behavior could be due to the formula. You can always find a different formula to use. As for the infection, I've never heard than infections can make baby irritable. Is the infection thrush? If that is the case, then baby would need to be treated for thrush as well, regardless of whether or not he's breastfeeding.

Monica - posted on 09/28/2009

I say keep pumping so when you are better you can breastfeed and you can use the formula to make sure she is getting what she needs. You really want to go to a gentle formula like Good Start Gentle or some other gentle formula. Every child is different some will only do this and some will only do that but if your baby will take both the formula and the breast when you get better then you can't lose. And really you can't lose any way cause you can still bond with a bottle feeding baby and have a healthy child if she doesn't take the breast again. The breast is best if only you are taking care of. I have Three and my first two boys I couldn't breast feed them they didn't want anything to do with it. My daughter who is two months is breastfeeding and she don't want nothing to do with the formula. Both my boys I have bonded with just fine and they are both healthy. So do what is best for you to get better, don't play with an infection. Take care of you so you can take care of her. I hope the best for you and get better. Always glad to help if that did. Milicoln gas drops for the gas and can mixed in the formula it was my best friend with my second boy when he would try and suck the formula so fast like he was starving at every feeding so he got colicy for a bit and that is what the Dr. told me to use when he was three months old so it work wonders for gas. That and he was a hard child to burp.

TAMMY - posted on 09/28/2009

it is fine to supplement with formula. with my first child, he was sick and stayed in the hospital for 11 days. so he got both. i could not be there for every feeding. i tried to pump, but after pumping for too long my milk started to dry up. he had both and did fine. as long as he can tolerate both i dont see the problem. good luck.

Kathy - posted on 09/28/2009

ty everyone so far. It was actually the LC that said to supplement formula. The infection could last a while, depending how well the antibiotics and work from homecare goes. And like Sharron said I won't heal if I can't rest... and how can you rest when baby is screaming? Her room is up too many stairs to put her there when I'm home alone, so she's in a bassinet downstairs with me.

Tabby - posted on 09/28/2009

Well my opinion comes from struggling with breast feeding also. If the infection that ur talking about is Thrush i totally understand. Just so you know its just a yeast over growth. It can be treated and when it does you will understand a drastic change in the baby being cranky. im sorry to hear that your having such a hard time.my sympathy is with you.

Kathy - posted on 09/28/2009

I know many moms that have the some tuff time sometime moms try to but the baby on there time or feed at ever wining I let my boy nurse when ever the 1st week and watch how offten they were eating and then keep them to the ect: the 1st was ever 3 to 4 hr and the 2nd was ever 2 to 3 hr good Luck

Chanda - posted on 09/28/2009

It is hard to know what to do sometimes when it comes to babies. I had a doctor that insisted that I feed my first born formula so I did and was not able to produce enough milk for him when I was allowed to a few days later. When you pump it does lessen your milk production. When my next child came along I had the same situation but this time I had a midwife and she said just to keep it up. The baby had no allergies but they changed my diet. What are you eating while feeding? Sometimes those things make a difference. That may not be the problem but I would encourage you to keep trying to breastfeed for it is healthier for your baby and see how things go after a few days. Do you know if your milk is rich enough for her? Is she eating enough? Does she eat more formula when given than when she is breastfeeding? I have heard that infections can affect your baby as well. I know how frustrating it can get but it doesn't last long. I am sorry that I cannot help you more. Please let me know how things go.

Jessica - posted on 09/28/2009

Keep breast feeding its the best for your little one, you might want to try a different formula thats a lil more gentle on the tummy for her, also milicoln is your best friend for ggas, it really helps, also if that dond help try giving warm baths to try ans sooth her tummy. and when she is sleeping pump as much as you can to keep your milk supply going and try and stay away from gasy foods yourself..everything you eat comes through your milk..good luck, and keep asking questions for support..

Renee - posted on 09/28/2009

Hi, when my daughter was born in October I found that my breast milk wasn't enough for her so I decided to breat feed her during the day and give her bottle feeds of a night time so that it would fill her up more and she would sleep better. It worked for me really well. Formula is a personal choice and if it works for you then do it. My daughter is perfectly healthy from being breast and bottle fed at the same time. Not to mention you really don't want to breast feed while you have an infection. I hope that helped you out a bit. Renee :)

Laura - posted on 09/28/2009

I guess it depends on the infection you have. It might not effect her. But if she's going to be irritable and not get enough milk from you then you have to do formula. Hard to decide who to listen to. The LC really wants you to breastfeed and avoid formula. For my newborn, formula made her gassy. Each one is different of course so just keep trying to get some sleep in between feeds and I wish you the best.

Sharon - posted on 09/28/2009

Do what makes your life easier. You need to get well. You can't get well if you are worn out fighting this infection and suffering from a lack of sleep.



Pump as often as you can to keep the demand on your breasts and try to go back to BFing after the infection has cleared your system.



Lactation consultants. She should be keeping YOU in mind through all of this too. Your mind and your breasts go together. You need TOTAL wellness to be a good mom.