If I have to suppliment....

[jarynsmom06]

....what formula would you suggest??


I don't want to and I hope it doesn't come to it, but here's my story and I really need help. My son will be 4 months on the 16th. He nurses fine and seems satisfied afterwards but I can't pump much. I work full time so I have no choice and I work 10-12 hour shifts. He takes 3oz when he takes a bottle but the most I have been getting here lately is 2 sometimes 3. I have tried fengreek for over a month and no luck, I just smell like breakfast.

I sometimes will get enough (if I get up in the middle of the night a few times to pump) to leave one bottle. Usually my boyfriend will bring him to me at work to nurse once and and I will give him what little milk I have pumped. This usually happens twice.

I don't want to have to suppliment, but it's killing me. I don't sleep well anyway, then I work so much and take care of him and I am so worn out that I feel like I can't enjoy my time with him because I am so tired. I don't know what else to do.

I think part of the reason that I am having a supply issue is I am really stressed right now. I don't want to have to suppliment, but I am just at the end of my rope.

I have thought about having whoever keeps him give him formula and then after a few days I can get my supply back up and have some stached away and not have to give him anymore, but I don't know. IF I have to give it to him what are the suggested formulas. I think he may have a little bit of dairy allergy because when I eat or drink a lot of dairy I notice sometimes he seems to have a belly ache. I have a can of Good Start that I was given at the hospital.

Anyone wanna help me out??? I am really going nuts here. I cry all the time because I am so tired and stressed about everything and I don't want to be this way. I think maybe if I can suppliment when I am at work and get my supply back up that may help me, however it will make me sad to have to suppliment at all...


Proud Mommy to Jaryn 4-16-06 :2bfbabe:

[celia]

We used Baby's Own Organic formula. It comes in dairy and in soy. The ingredient list was much much less scary than the conventional formulas. They have it at our local health food stores, but if you do a google search- it's actually cheaper to buy it from their website- you can also find all the nutrional info. and ingredients there.

Sorry you're going through this.

[Jane]

- you're doing great! It sounds like you have plenty of milk for your baby. He is growing and thriving, right?

We know lots about newborn nursing - they need to be nursed regularly, and often, and for a certain amount of time - but 4 month olds are less uniform. There's room in your nursing dyad to find something that works for you and him. It's possible that your breasts are adapting to your work schedule and making less during the day and more at night, and that's why you're seeing less at the pump. You son is the best indicator - is he gaining 1/2 oz per day? Is he satisfied?
I do not think that going away from nursing for a few days will help your milk supply. After all, a pump only has suction, not compression. Hand compression doesn't offer suction. Your baby supplies compression and suction to your nipple at the same time. Pumping works (obviously), but nursing your baby is often an important part of maintaining supply. I recommed seeing a lactation consultant and taking your baby and your pump to see if there are any tips she can give to help you out.

If you do need to suppliment, look for the reconstituted formulas. They are safer because they are pastuerized at the factory and they taste better (IMHO).

[Lact-o-Mama]

If I may make a suggestion, seeing as you've no-doubt tried everything else for your milk supply, have a 24hr+"nurse-in". When your schedule permits, stay at home with babe, preferrably in bed or resting and nurse him as often as he'll take your breast in his mouth. I think it would be beneficial to you on many levels, not just for your supply. After 24hrs or longer, start pumping frequently then you can make the intervals between pumpings longer once you've given your body a chance to adjust. Keep yourself hydrated and well nourished in as stress-free an enviroment as you can.
You metioned in your post having someone care for your ds so you can "get your supply back up", this is not usually effective as baby to the breast is what will boost supply and if his tummy is full of formula he'll nurse way less and your supply will likely decrease.
I hope that you find it within yourself to continue to provide the BEST for your baby.
Attend a local La Leche League meeting, you'll no doubt find support there.

[jarynsmom06]

The nurse in sounds great ! I also understand the baby on the breast is the best to get milk going, however I can't do that at work that's why I was thinking of giving him formula while I was at work and just saving the milk I pump, that way I would have a stash in the freezer. I thought if I supplimented for about a week then I would have enough stashed away and not have to suppliment anymore. I don't think I mentioned I work in an ER, so it sometimes is very hard for me to go out and nurse him or even run the milk out. However I will just get up no matter how busy to go pump. Thank you for the nurse in idea though...

[SarahA]

We also use Baby' Own Organic. The lable states its for toddlers only-because they do not encourage formula during the first yr. (which I love the company for) so don't let that fool you. We compared ingredients when we were forced to start supplimenting and this is the best one we found. In our area Wholefoods has it the cheapest by far.

[sdmoose]

I completely understand what you are going through!!!!! I had major stress trying to get ready to go to work, too. I've had to supplement...but a lot less than I thought I'd have to. I really am only able to get a stash of breastmilk pumped when I'm at work. It's normal not to be able to pump much when you are home with babe and nursing all the time!!! getting 1/4-2 oz is normal (I'm only able to pump about 1 oz when I'm at home with him and this is only when he's nursing on the other side.). I am able to pump about 6-8oz in an 8 hour day at work. See if you can get at least 2-3 pumping sessions at work (See if there is anything in your work policy about giving time to lactating women!!!) Getting more sessions ({Even if they are for shorter times) will allow you to get more milk and stock up a supply for the next day.

Good luck!
Amy

[tash11]

I use Babys Only Organic soy. it says toddler formula because breast milk should be given to babies. they have a better ingredient list, and adhere to the who codes unlike some other brands. if you call them and specifically request one they will send you an 8oz sample. this is the best price I have found online. if you can find it localy it should be around $10.