Breastfeeding - anyone supplement with formula?

I don't feel like my little DD is satisfied and I am feeling too tied down with breastfeeding only.  I know some people will have strong opinions, but did anyone supplement with formula?  How do you do it?  How often do you formula feed vs. breastfeed?  I still want to keep my supply up and offer breastmilk most of the time.  Also, what kind of formula is most like breastmilk?  Please no judgement comments, just advise on supplementing.  Thanks for your help!

[tmv]

You could pump and store the milk to keep up your supply. Also, if your baby is less than 6 weeks, it's really not recommended. In my opinion, lactofree is very tolerable to the breastfed baby.My sister had to use it for her baby after she had emergency gallbladder surgery and didn't have breastmilk stored. But, sometimes formula can upset a breastfed babies tummy causing gas or constipation. The formula does digest more slowly and you can feed formula every 2-4 hours, just like breastfeeding. Don't worry about other's opinions. I am a strong supporter of breastfeeding, but realize too that it is not for everyone. Every little bit helps! Whether its 2 weeks or 6, it's better than none at all. Also, babies go through growth spurts and seem to eat more at those times than others.  

[AndiJ78]

Not a judgment, but a warning, the supplementation with formula can and often does cause your milk supply to decrease. For every bottle you offer, that is one less feeding your baby is getting from you, which is less demand to keep up your supply.

Believe me, I understand the demands of nursing better than most. I have a feeling no matter what formula or bottle you choose your baby is going to have a strong opinion about it ; )

[Canadian_Gal]

I understand where your coming from. I agree with tmv w/ not worrying about other opinions. 2Thumbs up for those who love breastfeeding and are able to do it.....  but it's not for everyone.. babies included! my little one is 3 weeks. From day 1 he had a hard time latching and feeding would last at least 45 minutes of not longer. I mentally couldn't handle it. so we introduced the bottle to make sure he was full. I do NOT believe in nipple confusion for all babies. Mine was fine with it. I would attempt breast feeding 2-3 times a day, top up with formula also I would pump 2 times a day and when we ran out of pumped breast milk for the day we would use formula. He never caught on to latching so now we used formula and pumped milk. He's had no hard time adjusting to the different milks.    from 1-2 weeks old he had 1-2oz (30-50ml) now he has 3-4oz (80-110ml) a feeding.
Also we use Quick Start by Nestle...  same was used in the hospital. good luck!

[Canadian_Gal]

p.s  If you pump it can help keep your supply up. Even tho your baby is the "ultamite pumper" for keeping a high milk supply, a pump can still help you from hopfully drying up

[NataliesMommy]

I supplemented formula before bedtime with my dd.  I felt that it helped her sleep better and giving her the bottle made it an easy transition from breastfeeding to bottle when the time came.  After returning to work it was easy for my mother to bottle feed her. There were no issues.It is your choice.  Don't let anyone tell you what is best for you and your child.  

[lfb]

Thanks for your comments.  I am enjoying breastfeeding, but my DD nurses for an hour and a half at a time and then still doesn't always seem satisfied.  I also have a very active 3.5 year old DS and I am having a hard time balancing everything.  I feel like I am not doing anything for him.  He has been watching way too much TV and we are reading lots of books, but there is only so much to occupy an acitve preschooler.  I just want to make sure my DD is not hungry.

[tmv]

She really only needs about 20 minutes of vigorous nursing each side. Maybe you could offer a pacifier inbetween, maybe you already do. I don't know. It seems like she is using you for a pacifier, then getting hungry close to the 2 hour mark again. That is a long time, how old is she?

[jjerzeegirl]

I nursed my dd for 10 months and used formula many times...
you're not a 'bad mom' for wanting to supplement at times....
how old is you daughter? my dd didn't take the bottle too well..that's b/c i usually nursed her and did not offer the bottle...HUGE MISTAKE.....
some say don't give them the bottle until 2 months...i say give it to them asap...so they are used to both....
good luck

[AndiJ78]

Babies don't just nurse for nourishment, they also nurse for comfort. being a small baby it is necessary to allow her to do so. There is nothing more comforting to a baby than to be snuggled close to their mother, suckling away. Trust me, I understand how difficult it is to find balance, remember i have 3 boys 5 and under. Hopefully you find something that works for you and you are comfortable with your decision.

[tiredbuthappy]

i asked my lactation consultant about this when i had a breast infection and my supply was slowing down. she said it didn't matter if i offered breast milk first at a feed and finished with formula, or if i did a full feed of breast milk one time and then a full feed of formula the next time. she did say don't mix them in the same bottle though. i tried the formula before bed thing and it did not work for us. she was still up every 2 hours like clockwork!!! in fact, she seems hungrier at night than during the day. we are just starting to breast feed (i've been pumping until now), but i will continue to have dh give her expressed breast milk every night so i can skip one feeding and get 3 hours of sleep. i haven't noticed any tummy problems going back and forth btw formula and breast milk, although we don't have to supplement often.
my consultant laid out 3 goals for me- priority 1 is to make sure the baby is fed and growing. it doesn't necessarily have to be breast milk- i have to keep her healthy and growing. priority #2 is to keep my supply up by pumping. the last one is to actually nurse. she did this to help me not stress about how my baby is getting nutrition during this rough transition to nursing.

[ImmortalOne]

How old is your little one?  The only worry I have, and because I have been dealing with it with Lilith since she left the Special Care Unit, is that bottles can make the baby's "lazy" because with most nipples they just bite down and the milk flows - not so with our breasts.

However, I know how you feel, I often feel the same thing about Lilith and I felt the same about her sisters when I was nursing them.  When you pump though you find out how much the babies are actually getting (I was surprised to have a 4oz bottle AFTER Lilith nursed!).  I keep pumped breastmilk in the fridge and freezer now, so not only can my 2 DD's feed their sister sometimes but so can Daddy.  Do what you need for your little one.  If your pediatrician says she's healthy and her weight is good then perhaps only suppliment at night to hopefully buy some more time?

[Cheyenne_08]

My baby was in the NICU for 6 1/2 weeks and they wouldn't allow me to breast feed. So, over the last two weeks my supply has decreased due to Ashtyn still not wanting to breast feed (naughty little guy!!) Anyway, his ped put him on Enfamil Enficare Lipil. It is for premature infants and low birth weight infants. According to the research, infants given this formula develop at the same rate as breast feed infants and therefore it is highly recommended.