Breast and bottle feeding infant?

Question

My three week old switched from breast feeding to bottle feeding expressed breast milk to make the transition easier when I return to work. The transition to the bottle was difficult at first, but not now he is used to the bottle and doing well. I am now just pumping and feeding him the bottle. My milk supply was going down, so I tried to add in breastfeeding to increase my supply (I was told your supply goes up when the baby is actually feeding directly off the breast). After the first breastfeed, my milk supply seamed to increase, but he didn't want to go back to the bottle and screamed for 2 hours. I don't know what I should do. I don't want to go back to only pumping in fear of my milk supply will deminish. I don't want to use formula either. Any suggestions, or anyone experience this problem?

Answer 1

It is true about the milk supply Baby's suck release hormones that trigger milk production. Pumps are a great tool but they cant trigger the hormone. I would just try to nurse in the morning and evening and pump during the day. I nurse but pump when I am at work so He only get 1-2 bottles a day. Try a slow flow nipple we still use them for my almost 7 month old. That might make it easier for the baby to eat from the bottle.

Answer 2

For supply, the important thing is that you be emptying the breast frequently, at least 8 times in 24 hours.

If you are going to be pumping a lot of the time, you may need to rent a hospital grade pump. Some of the pumps you buy at the store just aren't strong enough to keep your supply up. I would go for anything by Ameda, Medela, Avent, or Lansinoh.  

Answer 3

I am doing the same thing you are.. for different reasons.  I had to start pumping because my son was gnawing on the nipple.. or so it felt like, he was pacifying basically and damaged the nipple.  I was really worried about my supply also... my son is 7 weeks old.  Finally I called my local LLL... La Leche League and got some advice over the phone.  She told me to drink plenty of water, staying hydrated will increase your supply.  So I bought a 'Smart water' because it comes in a 33 oz bottle and I just refill it with my own water of choice. I drink two bottlefuls a day.  I also was told to pump consistantly as possible, emptying the breast as much as possible each time (she said to compress or massage the breast all the way around to do this)... So I try very hard to pump every 3-4 hours.  However, I likes my sleep and so I don't pump over night... Doing just those two things made my supply boom!!!  I actually pump more than he consumes.  In fact, hopefully not TMI... I just pumped 10 oz... He only eats 2-3 at a feeding.  

Also, I had asked the lady with LLL about the supply being less because I pump because I thought it had dropped because I wasn't feeding right from the breast and she said that pumping will actually bring it in more.  Then I remembered that in the hospital my son wasn't eating much and they had suggested pumping to help bring my milk in.

I had to only pump for a couple weeks because of the damage to my nipples and my supply is way increased.  I also make sure now that I directly feed him once a day or so that way he hopefully won't refuse the breast if I choose to go back to strictly breast once I am fully healed.

If it helps at all... the doc told me that at 5 weeks that he should be eating 2-4 oz every 2-4 hours.  I also looked for a bottle that had nipples as close to mine as possible.. for me it was the Playtex nursers.  I think that helped with him bouncing between bottle and breast.  LOL.. he doesn't seem bothered by it as long as there is some milk coming out of what ever it is, he is o'tay!!!!

I hope this helped!!!!  Good Luck!!!

Edit:  I have used two different types of pumps.. With my first son I used a cheaper pump.. I don't remember the brand, it was common like Graco or Gerber.  This time I have a Medela... Personally I see no difference between the two.  

Also.. I have never heard that a pump won't release a hormone.. Your breast doesn't know the difference between the pump and the baby.  I have had 'milk drop' while I am pumping several times.  

My best advice to you would be to go to the La Leche League website and find a local woman.  You can phone her and she can talk to you over the phone.   That way you are getting professional advice, easy over the phone for free.

:)

Answer 4

I breastfed both my children.  When I returned to work they would get the bottle w/breastmilk.  Before work, after, and on weekends they only breastfed.  While at work, I pumped twice with a medela electric pump.  My milk supply stayed good.  Maybe nurse your baby and a couple of times a day give the bottle.  I had my husband or my mom give it and I would stay upstairs cause as soon as they saw or heard me they refused the bottle.  Playtex nurser bottle worked for us.  Good Luck.

Answer 5

I would think you would be alright if you keep pumping every three hours. If not I would talk to a lactation specialist. They should be able to help you.

Answer 6

going back to work is hard. i had to after my girl was a little over 2 months. I pumped during my break.. when i had time. It's ok to do both. What I did i feed her before i went to work and when i got home. The rest of the time she either had expressed milk or formula. it's ok to feed formula too. Just try to breastfeed whenever you can. My supply gradually slowed and then she got teeth... yeah end of breast feeding. Just keep at it!