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ANewDayHasCome
Love multiplies, not divides
Member since 11/12 14481 total posts
Name:
Me
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BF and considering supplementing -HELP
Right now I EBF my almost 4 week old. It's honestly killing me. I'm constantly nursing her and in between pumping so I can get a bottle for dh to take a night feeding. She can drink a 4.5oz bottle at night.
I'm considering supplementing but not sure what to do. Any advice?
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Posted 7/24/13 10:28 AM  |
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jams92
Member since 1/12 6105 total posts
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Re: BF and considering supplementing -HELP
i know most people will tell you to hang in there - it gets easier. And i will say it does (i have a 5 month old)
However, i gave in and supplemented bc dd was taking a lot and it is just exhausting.
The way i supplemented was by having DH give dd formula in the middle of the night. i found DD would cry a lot until she got that feeding and it takes a while to warm up a bottle etc so giving formula during that time was just easier.
another option is instead of pumping in between feedings, is to pump after each feeding (this will also help with your supply).
hang in there - making it to 4 weeks is great and once you get to about 8 weeks it will be a ton easier 
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| Posted 7/24/13 10:34 AM |
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Re: BF and considering supplementing -HELP
It will definitely get easier. I hated pumping, so I didn't do it unless I had to. I found it was easier to just get up in the night and nurse than, to spend extra time with my pump every day. And I made it a point to rest when my DD napped. So that is something to consider.
As your LO gets older, you'll be able to relax more during each feeding and fall into a nice routine. I EBF for 12 months and have no experience w/ supplementing, but if you choose to go that route, there is nothing wrong with that! Happy Mommy = Happy Baby & your LO is still getting all the amazing benefits of Breastfeeding!!
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| Posted 7/24/13 10:45 AM |
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MrsT809
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 12167 total posts
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Re: BF and considering supplementing -HELP
Posted by MrsDamonSalv7319
It will definitely get easier. I hated pumping, so I didn't do it unless I had to. I found it was easier to just get up in the night and nurse than, to spend extra time with my pump every day. And I made it a point to rest when my DD napped. So that is something to consider.
As your LO gets older, you'll be able to relax more during each feeding and fall into a nice routine. I EBF for 12 months and have no experience w/ supplementing, but if you choose to go that route, there is nothing wrong with that! Happy Mommy = Happy Baby & your LO is still getting all the amazing benefits of Breastfeeding!!
I agree with all of this. I found pumping more stress than it was worth. I snoozed through nighttime feedings but not everyone's comfortable with that either. In the next few weeks is when things should get much easier so if you want to try to hold off, you're almost there! If not, lots of moms supplement and do great with that too.
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| Posted 7/24/13 1:26 PM |
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shazza211
My life is complete
Member since 9/07 1580 total posts
Name:
Sharon
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Re: BF and considering supplementing -HELP
I EBF DS#1 for the first two months and barely slept at all between feedings and pumping. This time we are supplementing 1 formula bottle at 12:00 a.m. while I pump, and we get about 4 straight hours of sleep...I nurse the rest of the day, every 2-3 hours, except when I take a nap, DS gets a bottle of BM while I nap, and I pump when I get up. This way I get 6 hours total of sleep a day and am far less miserable and only pump twice.
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| Posted 7/24/13 2:00 PM |
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drwifettc
LIF Adult
Member since 6/10 2348 total posts
Name:
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BF and considering supplementing -HELP
I think the key is to try to figure out what your long term breast feeding goals are. If you want to nurse to a year than it's probably best not to supplement this early on or regularly for that matter. It does get easier, the baby does stop nursing non stop, but when you add pumping into the situation it makes it more difficult.
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| Posted 7/24/13 2:47 PM |
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cateyemm
Twins!
Member since 7/10 8027 total posts
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Re: BF and considering supplementing -HELP
Posted by drwifettc
I think the key is to try to figure out what your long term breast feeding goals are. If you want to nurse to a year than it's probably best not to supplement this early on or regularly for that matter. It does get easier, the baby does stop nursing non stop, but when you add pumping into the situation it makes it more difficult.
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| Posted 7/24/13 3:05 PM |
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WannaBeAMom11
LIF Adult
Member since 1/11 7391 total posts
Name:
Name
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BF and considering supplementing -HELP
Happy mommy=happy baby. I don't make enough, never have, and tried everything. I supplement and bf and we are both happy. Everyone is different.
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| Posted 7/24/13 5:30 PM |
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Jbon630
LIF Adult
Member since 12/11 1340 total posts
Name:
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Re: BF and considering supplementing -HELP
I am a week and a half in, so I have no advice but just wanted to say I feel your pain!
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| Posted 7/24/13 5:42 PM |
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MrsPenthouse
LIF Adult
Member since 11/10 924 total posts
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BF and considering supplementing -HELP
I nursed DS for 18 months, I supplemented one, sometimes 2 bottles a day. I would pump during those times while reading a trashy mag while DH gave a bottle). Whatever works for you!! I found a great organic formula and I feel I enjoyed my nursing relationship with DS because I got the breaks I needed.
ETS: drink lots of mothers milk tea to help maintain your supply if you do supplement.
Message edited 7/24/2013 6:01:45 PM.
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| Posted 7/24/13 6:00 PM |
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LL514
LIF Adult
Member since 4/10 1901 total posts
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Re: BF and considering supplementing -HELP
Posted by drwifettc
I think the key is to try to figure out what your long term breast feeding goals are. If you want to nurse to a year than it's probably best not to supplement this early on or regularly for that matter. It does get easier, the baby does stop nursing non stop, but when you add pumping into the situation it makes it more difficult.
i agree with this. i knew i was not going to breastfeed long term. i started to supplement around 3 weeks and it was the best decision bc it just gave me such peace of mind knowing that there was another option if i couldnt handle nursing. in the end i only nursed until 5 weeks, but im happy i made it that far. i was never going to bf for a year
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| Posted 7/24/13 9:10 PM |
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WockaWocka10
LIF Infant
Member since 4/13 349 total posts
Name:
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BF and considering supplementing -HELP
Don't. You'll regret it later on. Your supply will start to dip. It will get easier.
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| Posted 7/24/13 10:35 PM |
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Puppy-Love
LIF Adult
Member since 7/10 1394 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: BF and considering supplementing -HELP
Posted by MrsDamonSalv7319
It will definitely get easier. I hated pumping, so I didn't do it unless I had to. I found it was easier to just get up in the night and nurse than, to spend extra time with my pump every day. And I made it a point to rest when my DD napped. So that is something to consider.
I agree! It was me, her and the boob all day. We only gave bottles as needed. Overnight feedings are tough but I would catch up and sleep in. I did not cook or clean for 6-8 weeks (ok maybe I did a little but not alot). I made it my #1 priority to feed my baby.
I also did not want to pump bc I felt it took milk away from DD. i.e. If I would pump in between then I was removing milk from my breast every 2 hours. No way my supply could rebuild that quickly and fill her up. Everyone is different though and I know some pumpers get crazy good supplies…sometimes an oversupply. But for me, I just put baby to breast as much as she wanted it and I let her establish my supply. I never knew how many ounces she was getting in the beginning but she always gained weight so I knew she was growing.
Anyway hang in there. It gets easier as they drop feedings. I still think your baby is working on your milk supply and going through a growth spurt. If you supplement it does hurt your supply. It also can cause them to have an upset stomach (I think I read this somewhere).
Just give it a few more weeks…around 8 weeks it got easier and by 12 weeks it was a piece of cake! I know it seems far away but you are halfway to 8 weeks!
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| Posted 7/25/13 1:26 AM |
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