WOHM: At what point do you raise the white flag and supplement?

[LittleBirdy]

DS has been EBF since birth - never had a drop of formula. I am very committed to BFing and it's important to me, but the reality is that I am now back at work and can't be there to let him nurse every hour if that's what he wishes.

I am pumping my little heart out but even with 5 pumping sessions a day there are times when I don't get 8 ounces total, even. He is wanting a 4 oz bottle at least 3 times a day and sometimes he wants a fourth. Daycare will offer him a paci which he happily takes when he just wants the comfort of it, so I do not feel they are over feeding.

Pump is brand new. Taking fennugreek and drinking Mother's Milk tea and tons of water. Eating oatmeal every day. Freezer stash quickly diminishing.

It is not so much the idea of him getting a bottle of formula once a day during the week that bothers me, but the idea of early weaning absolutely breaks my heart. I so don't want him to lose interest in nursing. I really want to make it through the first year. But I also don't want him sitting at daycare at 3:00 in the afternoon crying because he's hungry and there's no breast milk left.

Has anyone been through this?

[Alyantavid]

I had to supplement by 3 months (went back to work at 6 weeks). I just couldn't keep up. I did encourage him to nurse at night and as much as possible when we were together.

I did keep pumping until he turned one and he'd usually end up with 1-2 bm bottles and then on to formula while I was at work and then we nursed the rest of the time. We did wean at 13 months (which I do regret, but I was so sick).

Don't feel bad, just do as much as you can.

[texmati]

I just wanted to give you a big hug. I ended up supplementing too, a bit later (at 10 mos). You are doing the best you can. I do think that bf really made working and being a mom much more tolorable, so good for you for trying to keep it up. I know that supp during the day does not == weaning completely, although I am not a success story in that regard.

I guess I don't have much great advice, but i did want to let you know that you are not alone. s.

[Charmie981]

I've supplemented a four oz bottle every couple of days for the last two weeks. I'm in school full time three days a week and in the afternoons the other two. She's 8 months old. I would have had to supplement a lot earlier, but I got about 100oz of frozen milk from a friend who is a pumping queen.

I'm not throwing in the towel yet, though. I bought this pump used last night--it was recommended to me by a friend as the only pump she would let down to. For now I'm taking dom, staying very well hydrated and pumping on the other side every time I nurse her, except in the middle of the night. I know the milk is THERE, it just doesn't want to come out for the pump. So frustrating!

[LittleBirdy]

Originally Posted by Charmie981

I know the milk is THERE, it just doesn't want to come out for the pump. So frustrating!

Yes I think that's what frustrates me so much! He has been gaining well all his life and is at the top of the growth charts, so I know I don't have a supply issue. I just can't get even close to what he needs out of a pump.

Things are getting a little better, getting more milk during my pumping sessions but the more I pump the more he wants. He's always been a super frequent eater so I'm not surprised in the least that he's taking so much at daycare. I think he just has a super high metabolism.

[hildare]

when i first went back to work, i woh ft, i didn't get that much milk. we never supplemented though. it does take some time to get your flow (haha) with the pump.
i found some good info on workandpump.com and used one trick in particular that helped increase my supply-- once you're done pumping, let the pump keep running about 5 minutes longer. that 'tells' your boobs you need more milk. you can increase your supply.
can you/do you cosleep? we reverse cycled. it does make for a tired old mama, though. we're STILL doing that. i do feel like it is what made our nursing relationship able to continue, so the tiredness is kind of worth it (most of the time).
i also was able to pump first thing in the morning.. dd slept in with dh (still does) and even after i nursed her, i was able to pump a good bit. early mornings were my best times for milk, so if you can at all try that before you leave the house, that may add the necessary ounces for you.

[jecombs]

One thing that helps me with pumping is to pump at home while I'm feeding LO. I get a lot more milk when LO is stimulating the other breast and it comes out a lot quicker.

It sounds like you are doing all you can! I have to say, I'm beginning to think that boys eat more than girls. My DD took about 9oz per day and my DS takes 11! It's tough for me to keep-up. Luckily, I've been doing okay so far and starting solids is right around the corner for us.

[Charmie981]

My limerick came in today. I love it! I pumped 6oz, most of it in the first 8 minutes (continued pumping for a full 20 and had another small letdown). It wasn't painful and felt much more like nursing to me. This is one of the FEW times I've had a letdown for a pump...the PIS just doesn't get the milk out for me like this one did. I hope it's not just a fluke, but from what I've heard (the reason I bought the pump in the first place), the limerick is just a better pump for those of us who have a hard time getting the milk out.

She now has all 12 ounces that she'll need tomorrow (Tuesday and Thursday she is with me most of the day) without me scrambling at the last minute and pumping at 6am tomorrow morning. YAY!

[JudiAU]

I don't supplement but I usually have to rely on monster stash from crazy-pumping during my maternity leave. At various points, I've also pumped before bed or first thing in the morning or on the weekends.

I am guess you had a short leave and didn't much a stash, right?

12 oz is pretty common as ebf need - If I couldn't provide the daily amount I would supplement with donor milk or formula. I would never want a hungry child.