[DelawareMom]

Hi mamas,
Here's the deal. My 10 month-old DD consumes more milk than I am pumping on the 3 nights a week that I work. I added a morning pump where I can get about 2 oz, but it still doesn't keep up with her. So... I bought some soy formula (she's sensitive to dairy) and she flat-out refuses it. Won't go near the stuff. While part of me is proud of my discerning little girl, most of me worries that she's hungry and upset and poor DH doesn't have any milk to give her. I've tried a couple of different kinds to no avail. She hates it. What should I do?
I'm not able to add another pumping session at work, unfortunately. I currently express twice during a 6-8 hour shift (I wait tables part time and can only get away before and after dinner service).
TIA for any suggestions! (Any and all are welcome)
Leigh Ann

 

[tanyalynn]

At 10 mos, I'd see if playing with solids, and maybe consuming some, would fill her up and keep her interested (new, fun stuff). With my son I started with stuff he could eat by himself, which adds to the new/fun aspect.

To boost my supply and build a freezer stash, I started pumping every morning, even when I was home, and over the course of a few weeks, my supply increased to more than my son wanted, so when I was away, I was pumping more than he wanted and then when I was home, I still had to pump a bit. Sorta a pain, but it's probably for less than 6 months for you, right? After that, LO will most likely be eating more solids and you won't have the milk shortfall.

 

[jeliphish]

I 2nd the solids idea. Start trying a lot of healthy snacky foods and allowing her to graze somewhat- this should keep her busy. Try canalope, watermellon, anything that can be smooshed with those sweet little drooly gums

 

[Mrsboyko]

I made sure to pump at least once on days I wasn't working to have a bit of a surpluss. Does he eat off both sides every time? My DD was a single sider, so I would pump one side and feed her the other that once a day.

 

[rivkah]

I went to work part-time when dd was about 6 months old. She would have nothing to do with a bottle or a pacifier. She would just wait. I only worked for 4 hours at the most, but I hated thinking of her hungry, so I had my mom or dh (whoever was with her) feed her rice cereal mixed with breastmilk. She actually found that fun, and would eat enough so that she didn't starve. She didn't really eat solids until 10 or 11 months, but the BM/Rice cereal served as a good BF substitute.

 

[medmom7]

I'm in a similar situation and have found that using pureed avocado (b/c it contains good healthy fats) for her mid-day solid food really helps me keep up with her.

 

[nmoss]

have you tried mixing the formula with your breast milk? might be more palatable to your LO than straight formula.

 

[DelawareMom]

Thank you so much for your responses. I will suggest to DH to try to give her some more solids so that the milk can be there more for the comfort and less for the food.
I've thought about mixing the BM and form, but we just barely squeak by each time, I am concerned that if she won't take it, I've wasted the milk, you know?
How about substitute milks (rice, almond, hemp, etc). I realize these aren't a suitable substitute on a regular basis, but it would just be a few ounces 2-3 times a week, not her primary source of milk. Has anyone had any luck with these?
Thanks for you help.