Supplementing..?!

Question

Those who had to supplement...how long did you have to do it? Did you have to wean them off of formula?

Answer

Our fella had a rough entry into the world and spent 4 days in the NICU. We used formula while there and for the first 2 weeks of his life. We would nurse both sides for about 15 minutes, then offer a bottle of formula, sometimes he ate a full 2 oz, other times just a couple gulps. 
I was also pumping after every feed to help up my milk supply while in the NICU and during the day once we were home. 
He’s almost 4 weeks now and we still use formula a couple times a week to give me a break or if he’s super hungry. He’ll usually only have 1/2 to 1 oz now.

Answer

I supplemented formula for my first daughter for 5 weeks. I was pumping and topping off with formula, so I didnt wean her off formula. It took 5 weeks for my milk supply to fully come in and I was able to pump enough for her to feed an entire day.

Answer

I supplemented for the first month for just 5% of the nursing sessions. I tried to keep it to the absolute minimum so that the effect on my milk supply wouldn't be too great. No weaning off required as he got such few bottles.
How long you supplement will always depend on why you are supplementing: low number if wet diapers, low/no weight gain, healing time time for bleeding nipples, etc

Answer

Also...to add to my first post, one thing I learned is that we may have been over feeding our baby...... if baby is only usually taking like an ounce after nursing, you may be able to drop a few bottles throughout the day. Watch for hunger cues after you are done nursing, and if there are none see how baby does without that bottle. Watch for at least 6 wet diapers per day, and weigh baby once weekly. A lot of pediatric offices will let you do drop in weights or you can rent a baby scale. If he is gaining weight with less bottles and not showing signs of hunger, making enough wet diapers, you may not need to supplement.

Answer

My supply never fully got there for a sustainable period, but we worked out a routine that works for us. We were only able to do 100% breast milk if I pumped after every feeding, and it got to be too much. On the upside once we realized our baby slept better if he had 4 ounces of formula before bedtime that was amazing!!! I pump once daily after he goes to bed still but that’s ok with me. It’s much more sustainable than before. We have made it to 11 and 1/2 months. So excited to get to that 1 year milestone soon!!!

Supplementing..?!

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