Did you or do you know anyone who fed their babies formula after yours or their breast milk went low?

Question

Ever since my daughter was born (she's now 3 months old) she had a poor sucking so I have been exclusively breast pumping my b*****s. At the beginning everything was great. I pump and I would get lots of breast milk + let down, but now I have been seeing a decrease of my breast milk and I hardly have any let down anymore. Does anybody know if this is a sign of me going to loose my breast milk altogether? Anyhow, I know how important it is for my daughter to keep eating my breast milk and I still have 3 more months to go until she can start eating those Gerber baby foods, but let's say that I do loose my breast milk altogether are formula's okay to feed my daughter? I know breast milk is the best of the best, but what about formula's? Did you or know anyone who fed their babies formula exclusively since your or their babies were born? Any help would be greatly appreciative.

Answer 1

actually its normal for you b*****s to produce less milk around this time, your body will produce only what the baby needs (but it produces much more in the beginning until it regulates itself)

its really common for women to wonder if they are losing there milk at this time (they are not) but if you begin to supplement with formula your body will produce less milk

I would recommend le leche league, they have free meetings and will help you teach the baby to latch, you can find a group in your area on there website  

Answer 2

I have implants so I had to supplement with formula. Use the Playtex nursery, they are the closest to Mother's breast. I tried soy and milk based both, but milk based "Good Start" by Carnation was the best for her to digest.

Answer 3

i breast and bottle fed my son (he was in the icu after birth and they bottle fed him so he was sometimes fussy on the breast). But he was fine with the transition to just a bottle. I am still trying to find the right formula for him but you just have to keep trying until you find what meets his needs. I would pump as much as you can still and top it off with formula. A popular kind is Good Start.

Answer 4

this explains everything honey!!

GL!http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/feed...

Answer 5

While breast is best, formula is there to be used when breast is not an option for whatever reason so it will not hurt her.

Be careful of dairy based formulas. I once supplemented my daughter with some formula and she threw up for 12 hours straigth... the hospital said it is quite common when breastfed babies are given formula  Talk to the paediatrician first about which formula would be best.

I have always struggled with my milk supply even though my daughter is a great feeder. I have to pump after feeds and before I go to bed to keep my supply up. I have just made the decision to wean myself off the pumping and if my supply drops ... well so be it. But it is sooo hard.... I felt so depressed the first time I gave my daughter formula. I think it's hormones too.

Also... you could ask your doctor about domperidone... a drug that many women in your situation have had success with. Do a bit of research about it.... it is not approved by the FDA for use in America but apparently it's a political thing not safety but do your own research to decide.

My nephew was never breastfed and he is as healthy and happy as my daughter (they are 2 weeks apart) so it is not going to hurt her.

Good luck

Answer 6

You can give breast milk and formula it is ok. My daughter had formula during the day and I breastfeed her at night. She is a very healthy 6 year old now.

Answer 7

Yes, breast milk is best. And as long as you get those first 6 or so weeks in, it'll be alright, as that's when the most nutrients and antibodies are imparted to your child. I came down with the 72 stomach flu when my daughter was about a month old, and I was given supposotories because I couldn't get out of the bathroom long enough to get a drink. I had to pump before that because my daughter refused(la leche even tried to help) to breastfeed because the nurses didn't bother to try and wake me up after my c-section, so they gave her several bottles and a pacifier while I was out cold. Once she knew she didn't neccessarily have to work for it, why should she, lol. She actually lost 3 lbs before we switched to a formula supplement on doctor's orders. Now she's 20 months old, weighs 30 lbs, and is 36 inches tall, very lean and muscular, lol. Several of my friends formula fed only, and all those children are healthy and lean as well. It's more about the eating habits you teach her when she does start to eat that tends to make formula fed babies look bad. My daughter doesn't eat any sweets except cookies, she hates ice cream and cake, lol.

Good luck!  

Answer 8

dont worry if you have to give her formula she will be just fine. they are now putting so many vitimans and nutrients in the formula that your child will not be deprived of anything. my son is on formula and he is right on track with developement and i know my mother in law had twins and never breastfed and her sons are grown and very smart. also there are alot of babies that have milk allergies so they have to be on soy and they are fine...i know im giving you lots of examples but im trying to put your mind at ease. your daughter has had a great start though.  

Answer 9

I had the same problem with my son.  I tried exclusively breast feeding him for a month but it just didn't work because he wasn't getting enough.   Then I mixed formula with breast milk.  I also pumped too.  I would continue pumping and mix it with formula if you have to.  Some breast milk is better than no breast milk.  

Answer 10

My granddaughter started out with Breast feeding but 12 weeks later the pediatrician put her on formula.  She was not intaking enough breast milk.  She is a bright beautiful soon to be 3 year old.

Answer 11

i give my 9 months son drink formula  during the day and i breastfeed at night. my son when he was born last year will eat it seem all the time and the doctor told me he is gain two oz a day but it got too much for me so i start him on formula with baby foods but he is eating lot of both breast milk and formula . plus he will only eat from one side and that my right. so don't worry . try good start and avent bottles/ there are like the shape of the breast .  

Answer 12

Unfortunately a lot of people don't realize that a lot of the reason why formula was invented in the 1st place was to substitute breastmilk for mothers with similar issues. Switching from breastmilk to formula is ok. She may have some tummy problems at first since formula is harder to digest. She will be fine though if you do decide to switch. Just do it gradually by introducing formula and switching back and forth between formula and breast milk, gradually increasing how often she gets formula and decreasing breast milk. I reccomend Enfamil's breast milk substitute I use it for my daughter sometimes.

Answer 13

Breast pumps usually won't keep your supply up for long if you are not letting baby drink directly from breast.  and if the things you are trying are not working then yes you are slowly losing you milk. It is supply and demand and a pump doesn't get all your milk out like baby can. So I advice you to see a lactation consultant and see if you can work on her latch and sucking. Of course formula is not poison and is fine for baby. You could pump and let her eat as much breast milk as you can and top her off with formula. You are 100% correct about breast being best but formula will not hurt her and you have to feed her. Just try not to be hard on yourself and don't feel guilty. How often do you pump. Exclusive pumping takes a lot of time and work. And is your breast pump high quality? Formula is an excellent back-up and pat yourself on the back for trying so hard. You sound like a very good mommy.

Answer 14

I had to begin using formula at the hospital, my son was hungry and I was never able to get my supply up enough to meet his needs. I also tried a pump to help things, and at the advice of a lactation consultant was pumping every hour. Even with this I was unable to get an adequate supply and began using formula exclusively at 1 month. My advice is to find the formula you think you want to use, consult your pediatrician and give it a chance. Make sure whatever you choose has DRA and DHA as they are very important and also found in breast milk. Your baby will be fine either way, do not let guilt about having to use formula become an issue for you, there is not anything to feel guilty about.