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jrbaby
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 1204 total posts
Name:
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Moving from EBF to Formula
Some of you may have read my frantic posts the past two days about DD not gaining and no longer BF. It has only gotten worse. I'm pretty sure my supply has completely dwindled to less than nothing.
I tried to nurse at 1:00 today and he only nursed for about 10 minutes total and was extremely frustrated at my boob like not much was coming out. I had MIL give him a 6 oz bottle of BM that he sucked down. I pumped at the same time for 20 minutes and only got 1 total ounce.
I had a terrible supply with DD and DS also but since DS#2 slept through the night so early I think it really messed me up.
I am resigned to the fact that I will probably have to switch to formula (still very depressed - but am starting to accept it).
What is the best way to transition? I have about 60 ounces of frozen BM. Should I finish that off first and then go straight to formula or should I mix the two?
I'm still trying to pump but 1 oz at a time is really not worth my 20 ounces. Hoping it still may increase!
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Posted 8/21/13 3:46 PM  |
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july4mrsO
Happy boy!
Member since 5/10 2867 total posts
Name:
Jess
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Moving from EBF to Formula
I would try giving him straight formula and see how he does. I don't like to mix BM with formula in case the baby doesn't take to it and now you wasted the BM you worked so hard to pump, you know? If he doesn't take to the formula then I would mix a little BM in and see if it helps. Otherwise, I would give bottles of just formula and bottles of just BM and/or nurse to stretch out the supply you have frozen. GL!
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| Posted 8/21/13 3:53 PM |
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evenedan
Need a little sunshine
Member since 9/05 3843 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Moving from EBF to Formula
I recently made this transition with my 9-month-old daughter. I was initially mixing about 7 ounces of breast milk with 1 ounce of Enfamil Gentlease, gradually adjusting the ratio. Once we passed the halfway point and there was more formula than breast milk, she started refusing the bottle. I was so stressed because I was down to pumping just once a day by that point and my supply was pretty much down to nothing. I switched to Similac Advance and she started guzzling her bottles. We're now on straight up Similac Advance and she's doing great.
I will always treasure the time I spent breast feeding and I'm really so grateful I got to do it for as long as I did, but it feels kind of great to be free of the pump!
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| Posted 8/21/13 4:20 PM |
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jams92
Member since 1/12 6105 total posts
Name:
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Re: Moving from EBF to Formula
i didnt mix bm with formula
I would use your stash during the day and use formula for the middle of the night...its so much easier to not have to warm a bottle at 3am
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| Posted 8/21/13 4:23 PM |
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MrsRapz
mahna mahna!
Member since 2/12 1952 total posts
Name:
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Moving from EBF to Formula
sounds like your DD has no issues with the formula so i'd just switch straight out (no mixing with BM).
if you keep pumping every few hours and possibly try some herbal remedies (mother's milk tea, fenugreek pills, etc) you can get your supply up! If you're depressed about not BF, you shoudl consider that, IMO.
(I'm in the "do what makes you happy" boat so I hope it doesn't sound like i'm trying to push BFing onto you ... just chiming in since you said you were depressed)
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| Posted 8/21/13 5:22 PM |
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EandF
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 1674 total posts
Name:
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Re: Moving from EBF to Formula
No advice since I'm not there myself just wishing you lots of luck!
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| Posted 8/21/13 5:29 PM |
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jrbaby
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 1204 total posts
Name:
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Re: Moving from EBF to Formula
Posted by MrsRapz
sounds like your DD has no issues with the formula so i'd just switch straight out (no mixing with BM).
if you keep pumping every few hours and possibly try some herbal remedies (mother's milk tea, fenugreek pills, etc) you can get your supply up! If you're depressed about not BF, you shoudl consider that, IMO.
(I'm in the "do what makes you happy" boat so I hope it doesn't sound like i'm trying to push BFing onto you ... just chiming in since you said you were depressed)
He actually hasn't had any formula yet, just frozen BM.
I have been pumping every time I attempt to nurse him (so 5 times a day for about 10-20 minutes each time) and started the Mother's Millk tea yesterday. I'm still hoping my milk supply increases but preparing myself if it doesn't!
Thanks for the advice!
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| Posted 8/21/13 5:31 PM |
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Ltdentway99
LIF Adult
Member since 9/06 1752 total posts
Name:
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Re: Moving from EBF to Formula
I feel bad that you have to give up nursing. Why don't you try doing a dream feed? Like I said before, I nurse 8-10 times a day. I really think 5 isn't enough. Recently, my ds hasn't been drinking enough during the day because he gets distracted. I read that is normal at 4-5 months. So, I feed him a lot at night.
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| Posted 8/21/13 10:18 PM |
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jrbaby
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 1204 total posts
Name:
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Re: Moving from EBF to Formula
Posted by Saphire01
I feel bad that you have to give up nursing. Why don't you try doing a dream feed? Like I said before, I nurse 8-10 times a day. I really think 5 isn't enough. Recently, my ds hasn't been drinking enough during the day because he gets distracted. I read that is normal at 4-5 months. So, I feed him a lot at night.
I tried that the last two nights and he barely ate anything.
Since he is sleeping so well at night, I'm concerned he'll go backwards.
I'm actually up pumping now(with my big bottle of water) to try and increase my supply.
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| Posted 8/22/13 12:43 AM |
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Puppy-Love
LIF Adult
Member since 7/10 1394 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: Moving from EBF to Formula
How much are you pumping if you wait 3-4 hours and pump? Just asking bc whenever I pumped after BFing I got nothing.
Also I remember my DD going through a crazy time where she fussed at my breast. She would suck, yank on my nipple, pull off, cry, and repeat. I have to look at my old posts but I want to say it was around 4 months. I had no idea what is going on. She was either a) not hungry and pulling off bc she was mad or b) very hungry, going through a growth spurt and working on my supply.
Anyway I say skip the dream feed why don't you pump at night before bed? I did that for months.
As far as formula not sure how to introduce it but why don't you try one bottle a day?
Also my vote is don't give up just yet! I know I always doubted my supply too, it drove me crazy but I just monitored the pee and poo diapers and her sleep habits!
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| Posted 8/22/13 12:53 AM |
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jrbaby
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 1204 total posts
Name:
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Re: Moving from EBF to Formula
Posted by Puppy-Love
How much are you pumping if you wait 3-4 hours and pump? Just asking bc whenever I pumped after BFing I got nothing.
Also I remember my DD going through a crazy time where she fussed at my breast. She would suck, yank on my nipple, pull off, cry, and repeat. I have to look at my old posts but I want to say it was around 4 months. I had no idea what is going on. She was either a) not hungry and pulling off bc she was mad or b) very hungry, going through a growth spurt and working on my supply.
Anyway I say skip the dream feed why don't you pump at night before bed? I did that for months.
As far as formula not sure how to introduce it but why don't you try one bottle a day?
Also my vote is don't give up just yet! I know I always doubted my supply too, it drove me crazy but I just monitored the pee and poo diapers and her sleep habits!
I haven't tried to skip a feeding and just pump yet until right now. He is doing exactly what you described above. If you remember what you did let me know.
The ped was very concerned bc he only gained 2 oz in 3 weeks. However, he is happy, sleeping great at night and having plenty of pee diapers. His poop is less frequent (but I expected that bc older two pooped very infrequently).
It has been about 4 hours since I last tried to feed/pump and I'm getting about 4 ounces this time. This definitely will help my supplementing tomorrow.
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| Posted 8/22/13 12:58 AM |
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