
Sarah - posted on 05/20/2009 ( 24 moms have responded )
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Is anyone supplementing breast feeding with a bottle of formula? I am exclusively breast feeding my 7 week old at the moment but don't seem to be producing enough milk. She has a bottle of expressed last thing at night but I am struggling to express now and am running out of supplies. I don't want to replace the bottle feed as I think it helps her sleep through the night as she gets more from bottle than me. I am considering replacing the bottle of expressed with a bottle of formula. Has anyone supplemented with formula? How did you get on? Did baby resist? Is it likely to mess up her digestion? Silly questions possibly but I am a first time mum and feel quite stressed about it all. I also have sore nipples, one of which bled last night just to add to the traumas! I want to continue breast feeding but am finding it very hard at the moment! Help!
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Denise - posted on 01/07/2012
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My daughter in law supplemented with formula in your exact same situation. Just do what you have to do to support your child nutritionally. Women don't share breast feeding anymore. My grandmother used to nurse a ton of babies in her neighborhood because she had tons of milk, easily accessed and realized it was a gift from God for her to share. Don't feel bad about what you need to do to have your child's nutritional needs met. My Grand daughter is a healthy fabulous 3-year old now with beautiful skin and hair and strong bones and teeth. Don't worry about how you "feel" about it (it is not really about you). It is about what is best for your baby. Anyone who posts for you not to do it under any circumstances is probably not and never has been in your situation. Listen to your heart and your gut and try it! If it works to satisfy, then you have your answer. Parenting is as individualized as the child. Many blessings to you.
Jennifer - posted on 05/28/2009
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my daughter is almost 6 mos, I have always supplemented with formula, and haven't regretted a moment of it! I work full time as a nurse in a busy hospital, there's no way to pump more than maybe once a shift, therefore my supply decreased and can only give the caregiver that one pump for the next time I work, my daughter takes formula just fine when I can't give breastmilk...but I plan to continue to b/f until she's a year, I think it's the best of both worlds
Nicole - posted on 05/28/2009
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Don't supplement with formula! It will only hurt your milk production. The baby actually gets more milk out of you than the bottle. Milk straight from the breast is most nutritive- only the baby can get the fatty hind milk out. Just keep going. Your production will get better. Try offering the breast more often too. Use lots of lanolin for you nipple trouble- it is safe for baby consumption. Formula is really really bad for baby tummies. Try lying down with your baby for the night time nurse. It has served me well doing this for nearly eight months now.
Tanyss - posted on 05/27/2009
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I wasnt producing enough milk in the beginning, but every mother does. Just KEEP AT IT. Get enough calrories and drink lots of water. (When i needed my milk to come in I drank a beer and that helped!)
Stasha Parker has the right idea (See below)
Good luck and keep at it Breast feeding is the best for our babies.
Charlotte - posted on 05/27/2009
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When I was a first time mom, exhausted as hell, everyone kept telling me to give my baby a bottle of formula right before bed. Well, it was a BAD IDEA. The first bottle he drank and then threw it all up all over my shirt. After that, he pretty much refused the bottle no matter what was in it. I guess he knew better than I did.
Also, forgot to mention that it did not help his sleeping at all. In fact, i have heard many, many stories about babies who actually slept worse after drinking formula because it upset thier tummies.