Did anyone breastfeed and supplement

DD lost a lot of weight while we were in the hospital and was a little jaundice so ped had us supplement with 1-2oz of formula after every breastfeeding. Currently what I'm doing is nursing, then formula, then I pump. In the morning I get 2oz between both breasts but by evening only 1/2 Oz. Shes still hungry after nursing and is a very sleepy baby. She will not wake up to nurse, I wake her up every 3 hours and she cluster feeds at night.
Anyone else have the same problem and have any advice?

Re: Did anyone breastfeed and supplement

Yes!
With each of my 3 kids!!!
My ped watched me for hours in the hospital.
She suggested it herself.
Just do it & when the kid gets bigger, there is a good chance you won't need to supplement.
I never had real issues with it (no nipple confusion, etc).
Kids all were fine.

Did anyone breastfeed and supplement

My first was very sleepy and it took her a long time to gain weight. I tried all the suggestions but when she was sleepy there was nothing that would work. The ped suggested supplementing but I bought myself a little extra time and it was just enough for her to finally wake up and start gaining. Now that your already supplementing I think pumping is important to get your supply up to match her needs and to not get the baby used to bigger, easier meals with the bottle. My youngest was a nicu baby so I solely pumped the first few days before she could nurse and actually ended up with an oversupply that way so she had no issues nursing once she was allowed.

Did anyone breastfeed and supplement

Yes I had to. I EBF for one month. I never made enough to keep baby boy satisfied. He barely slept. I tried everything to get my supply up. When I pumped I would get such a small amount. I BF and supplemented until he was 10 months and then he started refusing me. I felt guilty about supplementing but now looking back it was the best thing because he was happier and finally slept.

Advice just keep on trying. See if you can increase supply. Try fenugreek, mothers milk tea, and steel cut oats. I didn't see much of a difference but many people swear by those. Drink lots of water. I was sooo exhausted I didn't eat enough or drink enough water. Hang in there it gets easier.

Re: Did anyone breastfeed and supplement

I did both. I usually alternated feedings. One feeding breast, next feeding formula, next feeding breast, etc. by then I was so engorged, they ate really well. At night I pumped before bed bc I was way too exhausted to breastfeed in the middle of the night. We would give them those bottles for the middle of the night feedings.

For the first month, we had to feed my twins every 2 hours to gain weight. It was horrible. We were constantly waking them to feed. They would just finish eating and it would be time to feed them again. I was so happy once they gained enough and doc said we didn't have to wake them to eat. Hang in there momma!

Did anyone breastfeed and supplement

Yup! DS was very early and my production didn't come in, plus he needed to have a feeding tube up his nose while in nicu. I never stopped supplementing because I had heard of horror stories of children who refused bottles and/or formula.

Re: Did anyone breastfeed and supplement

First- congrats on your new baby! DS2 (3 months) lost over 10% of his body weight and was having nursing issues. He was really sleepy as well. I nursed, pumped, and supplemented until I could get an LC to come over. The LC was able to help me get DS to nurse more efficiently. We're now at the point I just nurse and pump since I've gone back to work. Maybe try calling an LC? I found it well worth it since I don't have to buy formula.

Did anyone breastfeed and supplement

Yes but I started at 3 months. I make enough for what she nurses and had a small freezer stash but I'm away from dd too long for what I pump to cover what she eats so her first bottle is formula.

Re: Did anyone breastfeed and supplement

Thanks everyone, I'm actually going to see a lactation consultant tomorrow. DD seems to be nursing better but she'll still take 2-3 Oz after nursing. How do you know when you no longer have to supplement?

Re: Did anyone breastfeed and supplement

Re: Did anyone breastfeed and supplement

I needed to supplement with both my kids...more so with DD than recently with DS. I was also not great of a pumper but i did what i could. Dont stress it, there are so many things going on in those early days, nurse as much as you can/want and then give a bottle, happy baby = happy mommy.

Did anyone breastfeed and supplement

I had to w DD2: she would take 1-2 formula bottles a day from 5 months on. I weaned at 10 months and started whole milk around 11mo. Her weight was fine but she was constantly hungry and waking up so I had to supplement. I could t produce enough milk to satisfy her.

Re: Did anyone breastfeed and supplement