Am I doing the right thing by weaning from supplements? Not so sure...

[MarcyC]

DD is over 10 months. As most of you know, I'm a low supply mom and we've been nursing with an SNS with mostly formula.

Since she'll be a year soon, I'd like to *begin* the process of introducing more solids and *gradually* decreasing the amount of supplement in the SNS. I realize this is not an overnight thing and should happen gradually.

I used to put 5 oz. in the SNS, she'd nurse and follow with a small amount of solids (usually equivalent to a stage 2 sized jar). That "nursing+solids" would be her meal and then she'd go 3-5 hours between meals with an occassional short nursing session (mostly comfort) between meals.

Well, I decided over the weekend to put only 4 oz. in the SNS and offer her more solids. Sounds, okay, right? The problem is that she drains the 4 oz. and then cries uncontrollably as I'm carrying her to her high chair. She hasn't made the connection that she's getting more food. (As well, she shouldn't - she doesn't need to make that connection - she's only 10 mos. old)

When I began using the SNS my LLL Leader said not to feel bad, that I was teaching her to trust me in nursing. Before using the SNS, she wasn't getting full at the breast and was wanting/needing to nurse 24/7. She cried constantly and fussed at the breast. Once we started using the SNS she became much happier, satisfied, she actually wanted to latch on and nurse.

Anyhow, now she happily nurses, but when the SNS is empty she's crying. My gut feeling is that I'm teaching her that I'm NOT going to provide for her and that she's not going to get satisfaction from nursing. My mommy intuition is telling me that *maybe* it's not the time to decrease supplements. What do you think? I want to make the transition, because my ultimate goal is to totally eliminate supplements (and that darned SNS) and have her on a "nursing+solids" diet. I realize it won't happen overnight so I'm not sure when/how to make the change, but my gut is telling me that now is not the time.

[zinemama]

I was also low supply with ds1, although I didn't use the SNS after the first couple of weeks because I just couldn't deal with that thing. Good for you for keeping it up. My son drank forumula in a bottle but nursed whenever he wanted to (i.e. a lot! And kept nursing till 2.5...) I completely empathize both with your desire to ditch the SNS and to wean off the supplements.

But, I think your daughter doesn't sound quite ready to give up the supplements, as you feel yourself. If your dd takes a bottle, would you consider transitioning her to that for the supplements? That way you could get rid of the SNS, satisfy her hunger, and of course, you could still nurse whenever you wanted.

Even when we switched from formula to milk at age one there were days when my ds nursed and drank milk all day - wouldn't eat solids at all. Some kids just don't take to the solids that quickly, so I think it's important that you not decrease the supplements until 12 months at least. Definitely start introducing more solids now - just don't decrease the supplements at the same time.

Hope this helps!

[OTMomma]

I don't have experience here, but I know you have to trust your mommy instincts. I would suggest adding more solids snacks at times that are not with nursing/SNS, so your baby will have had a snack between meals and not be quite so hungry. I also would not decrease the amount of forumula.