possible stupid question

[Cybercere]

So, my DD is 9 weeks old and is pretty much exclusively breastfed, meaning she had a little bit of formula during week 1 (maybe 7 ounces total) when in the NICU (long story) but since then she's been exclusively BF. However, the back stock in the freezer is now gone and I'm back at work. When home, I BF on demand and she eats pretty much every 2 1/2 to 3 hours. At work, I can pump every 3 - 3 1/2 hours - pumping more at work is not an option although I wish it were. This week, DH was home with her and made a bottle with formula to mix with the last bottle of stored breast milk. I was very sad. Since then, we've been back to all breast milk. I am trying to be ok with the possible need for supplementing with formula as my primary concern is that she gets to eat but I'm wondering if it will work for me to continue to pump on my work schedule and breast fed on demand - will my milk dry up? Anything else I should be concerned about. I did switch to Playtex drop-in nursers at the advice of my midwife who said we should definitely rule out possibly over-feeding by other care providers. DD also started very part-time day care (9 hours a week, 3 days a week, 3 hours at a time) and they are very BF-friendly.

I"m sort of rambling, but basically I feel sort of like a failure and angry at myself that I didn't try to pump more at the beginning. We had a rough start though as I had a great fast delivery in the water at a birth center but then she had to be transferred due to meconium aspiration which resulted in pneumonia and a 10-day NICU stay during which I was an emotional wreck. Since then, I've also battled a lot of anxiety - primarily right now about SIDS, but it varies from day to day.

Anyway, has anyone else been in a similar situation - I want to keep bf'ing even if it's not exclusive but I feel pressured to be either "all" or "nothing". I want to believe that some is better than none but even the nurse at the pediatrician's office (not the ped) said it would be better to just switch to formula. I don't want to do that if I don't have to but also don't have the time or energy to figure out how to build up a back up supply.

Thanks all for listening,

C.

Mommy to DD Nola (12/28/09) joining big brother Zach 8 1/2

[AlishaLukesMom]

Anything is awesome! Don't be so hard on yourself.
Make sure to drink enough fluids and as long as you are pumping every 3.5 hours or nursing your supply should be okay.

I could never pump. My milk just would not let down for a pump. It was very frustrating, but I am not in the same position and didn't have to return to work.

Keep it up and don't be too hard on yourself if you need to give her a bit of formula

[tinybutterfly]

You are doing GREAT and yes, having some breastmilk mixed with the formula is better than none.

Plus, when you ARE home, you get to breastfeed and there is that!

It does not have to be all or nothing.

[jecombs]

I am angry at that nurse for saying that to you! Some BM is better than none, even if you have to supplement. That way your DD will still be getting the immune benefits of BM and you will also get the health benefits (lower risk of cancer, etc), too.

One piece of advice: do not stop pumping at work, even if you have to supplement with formula. Your baby is still so young that your supply isn't really stable yet. The longer you BF, the more stable your supply becomes. So, the longer you can keep pumping, the better your chances are of BFing long-term, even if you have to supplement or stop pumping at some point.

Ultimately, you have to do what is right for your family and your baby. She has had 9 weeks worth of BM and that is great! Don't let BFing become another source of anxiety for you, let it be a source of joy and relaxation.

[mambera]

Just keep doing what you can and don't be so hard on yourself. The more BM the better, and any amount is way better than none. I've been pumping at work and supplementing throughout. It's not ideal but it's so, so, so much better than exclusive FF.

[lalemma]

I know that lactivism is all about helping more women breastfeed successfully, but sometimes it makes me angry that it can actually make women feel bad about anything less than 100% BFing. When really I think the goal should be to make women feel GREAT about any BFing at all.

You are doing splendidly, mama. Any breastmilk you can give your baby is good for her. Whether she's 100% breastfed or 75% or 25%, your milk is good stuff, full of nutrients and antibodies. And you should feel good about providing it for her. Don't let people make you feel bad about not living up to some mythical ideal.

[boobs4milk]

can you add herbs? i was having low supply and added fenugreek and blessed thistle and had a rebound. i had oversupply, pumped like gangbusters while dd was in the nicu, then got a tubal and supply went south. i take 9 capsules ea of the fenugreek and blessed thistle per day.

more info here:
http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=...id=5&Itemid=17

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