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dandr10199
Grace is growing up too fast!
Member since 10/05 11561 total posts
Name:
Dina
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BF'ing Moms...Supplementing with formula?
We went to the doctor yesterday to get Gracie vaccinated. She was weighed & measured before they gave her the shots. Her height is normal (50%) and her weight is on the low end of normal (5%). She is gaining weight and growing, she has been all along. The ped is worried about her weight gain.
The doctor suggested supplementing with Infamil lipid after I breastfeed her. He wants me to give her 3 ounces and see if she takes it. I did this yesterday and she drank all 3 ounces after she was done breastfeeding. 
I never had a huge milk supply, but figured I had enough for her because she had 9-10 soiled/12-14 wet diapers a day consistently (the soiled ones were not a huge amount but enough for me to think she was getting enough). The ped told me he still wants me to breastfeed for as long as I can, DD just needs more calories than I can give her right now.  I have been BF'ing her for two months and thought we were doing great, I don't know what happened.
Has this happened to anyone else? Did supplementing effect your milk suppy? Did your child just want formula and stopped drinking BM? TIA 
Message edited 7/7/2006 10:59:18 AM.
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Posted 7/7/06 10:51 AM  |
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LuvMy2Girls
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Member since 5/05 11165 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: BF'ing Moms...Supplementing with formula?
dina
How much does she weigh?
I had thought the ped was going to say the same thing to me on Wed at her 2 month check up. Gianna is in the 50% percentile for weight, she weighs 11lbs 1 oz.
I didn't think she gained enough. I am the opposite of you with milk supply. I have TOO much, and DD doesn't get the hind milk, meaning she has too much lactose in her tummy and I have to work to cut my supply back. She isn't getting enough of the good stuff.
Gianna finally took a bottle a formula a day, but Lovvesss mommies milk. she prefers the boob over the bottle, even though she takes that bottle of formula now. I had the same fears, that she would love the formula and pull away from bf'ing.
ETA: Do you offer her both boobs during a feeding?
Message edited 7/7/2006 11:10:04 AM.
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| Posted 7/7/06 11:00 AM |
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dandr10199
Grace is growing up too fast!
Member since 10/05 11561 total posts
Name:
Dina
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Re: BF'ing Moms...Supplementing with formula?
Posted by sweetness
dina
How much does she weigh?
I had thought the ped was going to say the same thing to me on Wed at her 2 month check up. Gianna is in the 50% percentile for weight, she weighs 11lbs 1 oz.
I didn't think she gained enough. I am the opposite of you with milk supply. I have TOO much, and DD doesn't get the hind milk, meaning she has too much lactose in her tummy and I have to work to cut my supply back. She isn't getting enough of the good stuff.
Gianna finally took a bottle a formula a day, but Lovvesss mommies milk. she prefers the boob over the bottle, even though she takes that bottle of formula now. I had the same fears, that she would love the formula and pull away from bf'ing.
Thanks
She was born weighing 6 lbs, 10 ounces and 20 inches. So, she was always long and thin from birth. When we were discharged from the hosptal she was 6.3, when we went to her 4 week ped appointment she was 7.3 and 21 inches. yesterday was her 8 week apointment and she is 8.6 lbs. and 23.5 inches. She was in the 5% since birth and has stayed there. She has been consistant and the ped said that is a very good thing. He would like for her to gain a little more weight at this point.
I almost cried at the ped's office. I thought we were doing so well. I knew that she was gaining and getting enough based on the last ped's appointment. I wanted to EBF for as long as I could.
I have to do what is best for Gracie and I tought I was doing just that. I feel like a faliure. Why can't my body produce more milk for her to gain more weight? I guess I will BF as long as I can and supplement.
eta: I do offer her both boobs. She usually taps one out and is on the other boob for only 5 minutes or so before she pulls off and wants to be burped.
Message edited 7/7/2006 11:23:22 AM.
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| Posted 7/7/06 11:12 AM |
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-Lisa-
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Member since 5/05 6530 total posts
Name:
Lisa
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Re: BF'ing Moms...Supplementing with formula?
sorry, to hijack...
how do you know if she's getting the hind milk?
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| Posted 7/7/06 11:15 AM |
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LuvMy2Girls
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Member since 5/05 11165 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: BF'ing Moms...Supplementing with formula?
Posted by -Lisa-
sorry, to hijack...
how do you know if she's getting the hind milk?
I was told she wasn't getting enough hindmilk cause her poo was greenish and not that bf baby bright yellow.
There are other factors too, she chokes off, i have lots pain during let down, she goes on/off the boob alot, and the milk pours into her mouth!
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| Posted 7/7/06 11:27 AM |
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LuvMy2Girls
@>---------
Member since 5/05 11165 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: BF'ing Moms...Supplementing with formula?
Posted by dandr10199
Thanks
She was born weighing 6 lbs, 10 ounces and 20 inches. So, she was always long and thin from birth. When we were discharged from the hosptal she was 6.3, when we went to her 4 week ped appointment she was 7.3 and 21 inches. yesterday was her 8 week apointment and she is 8.6 lbs. and 23.5 inches. She was in the 5% since birth and has stayed there. She has been consistant and the ped said that is a very good thing. He would like for her to gain a little more weight at this point.
I almost cried at the ped's office. I thought we were doing so well. I knew that she was gaining and getting enough based on the last ped's appointment. I wanted to EBF for as long as I could.
I have to do what is best for Gracie and I tought I was doing just that. I feel like a faliure. Why can't my body produce more milk for her to gain more weight? I guess I will BF as long as I can and supplement.
eta: I do offer her both boobs. She usually taps one out and is on the other boob for only 5 minutes or so before she pulls off and wants to be burped.
I know it's hard, I am the queen of being too hard on myself, but please give yourself a hug and job well done.
You have fed and nourished gracie, she is thriving growing and gaining. Did the dr say why she should weigh more if she is growing and gaining?
After she burps from the second boob, will she take it again for some more?
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| Posted 7/7/06 11:31 AM |
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-Lisa-
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Member since 5/05 6530 total posts
Name:
Lisa
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Re: BF'ing Moms...Supplementing with formula?
Posted by sweetness
I was told she wasn't getting enough hindmilk cause her poo was greenish and not that bf baby bright yellow.
There are other factors too, she chokes off, i have lots pain during let down, she goes on/off the boob alot, and the milk pours into her mouth!
interesting, thanks!
I get bright yellow AND green...and my let down is super fast and pours into her mouth. I have to pull her off to stop the gulping/choaking.
I've been giving her one side at a time for as many times as she feeds in 3 hours to make sure she drains the breast. I pump the other side during that time, and then offer it to her for the next 3 hours. That seems to be helping, but I still wonder if she's getting what she needs. She's gaining well. I guess I'll discuss it with the ped at our appt on Monday.
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| Posted 7/7/06 11:39 AM |
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dandr10199
Grace is growing up too fast!
Member since 10/05 11561 total posts
Name:
Dina
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Re: BF'ing Moms...Supplementing with formula?
Posted by sweetness
I know it's hard, I am the queen of being too hard on myself, but please give yourself a hug and job well done.
You have fed and nourished gracie, she is thriving growing and gaining. Did the dr say why she should weigh more if she is growing and gaining?
After she burps from the second boob, will she take it again for some more?
The ped said that her weight is on the low end of normal and that he felt that she might need more calories now. Plus, a big foctor is that at night she is still up every two-three hours to feed. He said she should be sleeping 4-6 hours at a clip by now and that is an indication that she mayneed more than I can give her. We are going to supplement at night at the 7PM, 9PM, and 11Pm feedings. The ped said that with formula and she may sleep from 12-5 or 6AM. We will see what happens. I guess that the only silver lining in this is that i may get more sleep at night. Gotta try and look on the bright side, right??
eta: After I burp her she does not want more usually, yet yesterday she drank 2oz. of formula. maybe when she latches on after I burp her there is no milk in the breast??? I have no idea 
Message edited 7/7/2006 11:44:26 AM.
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| Posted 7/7/06 11:42 AM |
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michele31
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 3372 total posts
Name:
Michele
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Re: BF'ing Moms...Supplementing with formula?
If she is gaining and has that many diapers per day she is eating well. It is totally up to you. If you want to pump a bit and see if she takes extra bottles you can. You do NOT need to use formula for that- you can use breastmilk.
Eat oatmeal everyday and drink a full glass of water while nursing. If you pump with a high quality (PIS or rental) pump after each nursing session you will increase your supply. Let me know if you need help.
You can also see a LC to get personalized help.
Personally, I find that some peds jump onto supplementing too fast and don't address your nursing issues at all. I would address my nursing issues first. JMO.
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| Posted 7/7/06 11:42 AM |
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dandr10199
Grace is growing up too fast!
Member since 10/05 11561 total posts
Name:
Dina
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Re: BF'ing Moms...Supplementing with formula?
Posted by michele31
If she is gaining and has that many diapers per day she is eating well. It is totally up to you. If you want to pump a bit and see if she takes extra bottles you can. You do NOT need to use formula for that- you can use breastmilk.
Eat oatmeal everyday and drink a full glass of water while nursing. If you pump with a high quality (PIS or rental) pump after each nursing session you will increase your supply. Let me know if you need help.
You can also see a LC to get personalized help.
Personally, I find that some peds jump onto supplementing too fast and don't address your nursing issues at all. I would address my nursing issues first. JMO.
Thanks Michele
I have a PISA and pump after I feed her. I usually get 1-1.5 oz. So I know something is there after she is done. Maybe the pump gat the the milk out easier that Gracie can? I will call my LC today and she what the deal is. When I was at the ped's office i felt like I was a bad mother if I did not supplement. It is not that the ped made me feel guilty, I felt that way when she only gained 1.3lbs in a montth.
I just want to do everything right and beat myself up when i don't do it perfectly. This is how I am with whatever I do.
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| Posted 7/7/06 11:49 AM |
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Stacey1403
Where it all began....
Member since 5/05 24065 total posts
Name:
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Re: BF'ing Moms...Supplementing with formula?
Posted by michele31
If she is gaining and has that many diapers per day she is eating well. It is totally up to you. If you want to pump a bit and see if she takes extra bottles you can. You do NOT need to use formula for that- you can use breastmilk.
Eat oatmeal everyday and drink a full glass of water while nursing. If you pump with a high quality (PIS or rental) pump after each nursing session you will increase your supply. Let me know if you need help.
You can also see a LC to get personalized help.
Personally, I find that some peds jump onto supplementing too fast and don't address your nursing issues at all. I would address my nursing issues first. JMO.
I completely agree with Michele. I changed peds twice when they wanted me to suplement. Damien was up every 3 hours in the beginning to feed. Some babies are hungrier than others. I wasn't going to supplement I just fed him when he needed it. He ended up being just fine.
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| Posted 7/7/06 11:52 AM |
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anon
where's winter?
Member since 11/05 2209 total posts
Name:
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Re: BF'ing Moms...Supplementing with formula?
Message edited 2/8/2007 12:38:16 PM.
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| Posted 7/7/06 12:34 PM |
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michele31
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 3372 total posts
Name:
Michele
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Re: BF'ing Moms...Supplementing with formula?
I know ALL about a ped making you feel guilty and like a bad mom if you don't supplement. The truth is that many peds are just not focused on bfing or supporting bfing mothers. If there is an issue the first thing should be to discuss what is going on with nursing, and discussing how to improve latch/supply, get you to a LC etc...but it seems so many peds jump to their happy formula..and I don't get it.
let us know if you need help!! We are here to support you.
You may always want to consider finding a more bfing supportive ped.
You are NOT a bad mother..you are doing wonderfully. The baby just might need to nurse a bit longer or take a 5 minute break then nurse again for a few minutes. use the pumped breastmilk in a bottle if that makes you feel like the baby is getting more...if you are getting a bit after nursing she may not be emptying your breasts enough.
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| Posted 7/7/06 12:34 PM |
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