Formula and breastmilk - how to keep my supply?

Question

My husband really wants to help feed our baby and I plan to pump but being a week postpartum I’m tired! If I give occasional formula, how will my supply be affected? I’m thinking it’s better to do it during the day when she nurses more often versus at night. Any insight?

Answer

Any time you skip breastfeeding, it sends a signal to your body to NOT make milk at that time. So if you give baby formula, you still need to pump to keep up your supply. It’s so tiring in the beginning. This is my second ebf baby- soooo tiring. But you got this, whatever you decide to do. 😊

Answer

I didn’t introduce a bottle until at least 4 weeks. At that point, I had some breast milk stored and he could use that to feed our baby. I still pumped when he fed her from the bottle anyway.

Answer

Have you tried using a haakaa or other type of silicone breast pump? It’s designed to collect breast milk on the other side when you are feeding. I use it for about 4 feeds a day and collect about 6oz milk just by feeding and without any extra pumping. Really helps with engorged breasts too - my baby struggles to latch when they are too hard, so getting an ounce off really helps. 
Might not work for everyone but I’ve found it fantastic for my 10 day old.

Answer

i gave formula at night so my husband could help with the feedings and i pumped. no matter how little i pumped and pumped until i at least got 1oz so my husband could also feed him.

Formula and breastmilk - how to keep my supply?

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