Considering supplementing--talk me out of it? - Page 2

[MarcyC]

I just wanted to offer you (((((HUGS)))))!!!!! I know this is not a decision you take lightly (nor do any of us in this situation). I broke the bank trying to get breastmilk into DS. I finally conceded *somewhat* defeat and he gets 100% bottles. I do pump while I feed him (feed him holding him to one side while pumping the other) and I manage to get 6-10 oz. of breastmilk per day but the rest is made up with formula. I hate it...I really do...but he's thriving.

[greend]

Supllimenting

I so understand where your at... I had to suppliment and am still doing this as a result of tongue tie and now low milk. I would suggest that you pump as much as you can and suppliment with the rest... that way you minimize the amount of formula...the most important thing for baby is to be FED. I pumped constantly to provide milk and my husband fed via bottle to keep the baby on as much as we could. Now my husband is back to work and I am able to produce less milk as a result. I am feeding via breast, pumping and supplimenting until I transition him back to full time breastfeeding. I noticed a difference in him immediately when I was getting him the correct amount of food per 24hrs...

Good Luck. - Deborah.

[loraxc]

I just wanted to update this.

After many tears and much agonizing, I supplemented, sobbing as I gave him that first taste of formula.

At least from what we can see now, it was completely the right choice. He was NOT doing well. My mama radar WAS accurate. Within two days I saw a real change in him--much more interactive, alert, and strong. It is so incredibly obvious that I feel bad about not doing it earlier. He is still getting about 4 oz of formula a day...not very much, and now that I have a new electric pump I hope to be able to increase supply so I can wean him off it. His gain has really improved so much, too--he's gaining much faster now.

I still hate the possible long-term consequences, but baby needed calories.

I want to have this in "the record," so to speak, too, because he was sort of a stealthy not-thriving baby. He didn't cry very much, slept a lot, and wet and pooped okay. (This is because the problem is partly due to excess calorie use at the breast.)

I do have an appointment with a craniosacral therapist. Husband is not really comfy with donated milk, and I do see the concern...while I trust mamas, there is no absolute guarantee of faithful husbands. Maybe I should get donor milk and home-pasteurize if I can't get past this.

[veganone]

I'm so glad you made the right decision for your LO - I hope he thrives. As he gets stronger, he may very well get better at nursing. I would suggest continuing to nurse before supplementing, both for practice for him and your supply.

I had to supplement for several weeks early on, but was able to cut it out once DD got stronger and more efficient.

Either way - I'm glad things are going well for you. Breastfeeding is NOT all or nothing!

[justthinkn]

I hope you're able to move past the guilt... Supplementing is a hard decision to make, and you were trying to do the best you could for your baby! Be comforted by how well your baby is doing now. And let's hope that the extra energy gives the boost needed to nurse well and up your supply! :

(FTR, I cried for a week before that first bottle... But once it was given, I felt such relief to know baby's tummy would finally be full

[TefferTWH]

Originally Posted by Pumpkin_Pie

Not sure if this will help, but when I was pumping to donate, I would ALWAYS pump while DS was nursing on the other side. I found that I had massive letdowns that way as opposed to the trickle I would get otherwise. He is 13 months old now, and I never was good with the pump unless he was nursing away on the other side.

Just thinking that if you could get the milk out of the other side while he nurses, then he would still be getting nursing time in, and then you could possibly find a way to get the extra milk into him efficiently until he is strong enough and has a correct latch/suck.

: It really might help to pump and nurse at the same time. It takes a bit of organization. I used an old bra that I converted to a pumping bra suitable for nursing by cutting holes at the nipple for the pump, along with a my Brest Friend pillow because it helped steady the whole production. I would latch my son on one side (football hold worked well for this), then attach the pump and turn it on to match his rhythm. I spent lots of time looking at my son while the pump was running to connect what the pump was doing to actual nursing. If you have help, you can do it topless, which give you both lots of skin-to-skin and makes the whole weird machine on my boob thing less odd.

[nevaehsmommy]

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=896783

[FREEmom1120]

Originally Posted by nevaehsmommy

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=896783

I think you should have read the whole thread first.

[nevaehsmommy]

Freemom. I was just giving her an article about supplementation.

[FREEmom1120]

Originally Posted by nevaehsmommy

Freemom. I was just giving her an article about supplementation.

Ok

[Chinese Pistache]

Originally Posted by nevaehsmommy

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=896783

This really sucks. You know what's worse than "one bottle"? A baby who isn't thriving and a mother that isn't making enough milk to pump. If you'd read the whole thread and Loraxc's other threads, you would see how unhelpful this is.

Loraxc, I hope your supply increases quickly. If you can get a hold of some More Milk Plus, I highly recommend it. My supply increased from less than 1/2 ounce to pumping 10 ounces at one 20 minute session (and now that my baby is no longer on the bottle, I've got a great stash).

I know exactly how you feel about the formula. Even that small amount makes you feel like your heart is going to break. BUT, when your baby turns around and makes those kinds of strides, you know it was right. And I agree with a pp, the energy he's getting right now might very well be the thing that will get him nursing good and strong.

I'm wishing you all the best with CST, too. I hope you see great results. I'm rooting for you and your little babe.

[FREEmom1120]

Originally Posted by Chinese Pistache

This really sucks. You know what's worse than "one bottle"? A baby who isn't thriving and a mother that isn't making enough milk to pump. If you'd read the whole thread and Loraxc's other threads, you would see how unhelpful this is.

Loraxc, I hope your supply increases quickly. If you can get a hold of some More Milk Plus, I highly recommend it. My supply increased from less than 1/2 ounce to pumping 10 ounces at one 20 minute session (and now that my baby is no longer on the bottle, I've got a great stash).

I know exactly how you feel about the formula. Even that small amount makes you feel like your heart is going to break. BUT, when your baby turns around and makes those kinds of strides, you know it was right. And I agree with a pp, the energy he's getting right now might very well be the thing that will get him nursing good and strong.

I'm wishing you all the best with CST, too. I hope you see great results. I'm rooting for you and your little babe.

Thanks. This is what I didn't know how to say.

[loraxc]

Uh, yeah, nevaehsmommy--believe me, I've read that article, and it is a major part of why I was crying my freaking eyes out when I gave him the formula. I *know.* I know.

Thank you, Chinese Pistache and Freemom. Part of the reason--the main reason--that I updated this thread is that I do want other moms like me who are VERY VERY VERY committed to breastfeeding to know that sometimes, sometimes, RARELY, there is a place for the formula to come in, and to trust their instincts if baby seems to really not be doing well.

I am taking More Milk Plus and just got my brand-new electric pump, which is giving me better results than the Isis.

[ccohenou]

Thank goodness your baby is doing better! This is So important for his long-term health and development. You are doing the right thing by him - there is no question. Best wishes to you and your babe.

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by loraxc

I am taking More Milk Plus and just got my brand-new electric pump, which is giving me better results than the Isis.

I've been following this post - I'm so glad that you are getting better results now. And that your baby is doing better too.

[veganone]

Yes, some moms NEED to supplement. The most important thing is to FEED THE BABY...

You really are doing great!!! I hope you will be able to get back to ebfing at some point, but any bm is better than none.

And again - good for you for making the best decision for your LO, even when it's the hardest one for you...

[thefragile7393]

I'd love to hear how the cranio worked. This situation isn't similar to yours, but my SIL's baby only nursed on one side until she had the cranio. I'm hoping this will help your lo as well, and I'm glad to hear your lo is doing better.