Supplementing with formula?

Question

I'm a ftm, and I just want to know if anyone has any experience with supplementing with formula while breastfeeding. My daughter is 3 months old and has been exclusively breastfed since birth. But I feel like I have a low supply and sometimes I feel as if shes not satisfied after shes done feeding. I was hoping to switch one feeding time a day or a few times a week so I can pump and start a supply. I have nothing in the fridge or freezer at this point because after every feed, shes normally hungry an hour or two later so I dont get the chance to pump. But, can I start right away or is it too early? Im not too sure and I'm a little nervous about giving her formula. I somewhat feel like a "bad" mom because I feel like I'm "giving up" with breastfeeding. I just dont know how it'll affect or change her? Will she prefer formula? Will she be more fussy at my breast? How much formula should I give her? Not sure. Please help!

Answer

Im in the same position as you. Ive been  giving a bottle 1/2 a day as hes never satisfied after bf, and he now has a bad latch because of this. During the day he is aweful to bf as he fusses so much and just pops on and off. Im finding i have a low supply and nothing seems to improve it, when i do get a chance to pump i only get max 30ml each breast. When he has a bottle he will happily take 180ml and it takes me a good couple of pumping sessions to get that.

Answer

Yes even doctors says it's fine to supplement. Try giving 1 to 2 ounces after breast if still hungry. Also since she's  ebf it may take a couple different formulas and maybe not. Ask her peds for some samples

Answer

It’s fine to do but if you think your supply is low, it may get even lower if you drop a feed. Just so you know!

Answer

Mine has been combo fed since birth. I don’t produce enough for him. I breastfeed over night and twice during the day, the rest of the time he gets formula. I use the ready-made formula bottles and he had had no problem with them. Luckily there’s been no “Nipple confusion” and he goes easily between boob, formula bottle, and soother.

Answer

My daughter has been combo fed since 6w. I did this because it really helped with her witching hour time. She would get so frustrated that she couldn’t latch well, which only increased her frustration, whereas she could feed from a bottle easily. I didn’t like pumping. 
The way I’ve done it is that I always offer her the breast first, but if she seems frustrated I have a bottle next to me which I am ready to offer. Sometimes I have to throw away the contents of bottles I’ve made because she hasn’t used them, but that’s completely fine! I’d say she’s still 90% breastfed and thriving.

Answer

So my daughter is formula and breastfed.what my LC told me the more feedings of formula the less from the breast. So if you do supplement make sure you pump during that time. Also you should pump between 30mins to an hour after feeding for optimal emptying/to help refill the breast. Have you been doing any power pumping. It’s recommend to 1 to 2 times a day. Best time to pump (if baby isn’t feeding) are between the hours of 1 to 4 because prolactin is the highest. I wish you luck on your journey. I’m struggling with my supply as well.

Answer

what i’m doing, is pumping and formula feeding, i’d love to give it to my daughter straight from the chi chi but nipples are flat and it’s really hard for her to lack on to, i’m not sure if it’ll work to do both but i am going to try.

Supplementing with formula?

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