My daughter is 8 months old. I still breast feed her. My milk supply is low.?

Question

I want her to take formula , but she doesn't want it. Any suggestions????

Answer 1

What makes you think your supply is low? Unless you use hormonal birth control (and probably only if you just started recently) that would be *extremely* unusual to have enough milk and suddenly not.

What is a lot more likely is that your body (which produces *too much* milk at the beginning--your breasts don't know that you haven't given birth to triplets!!) has adjusted to the needs of your particular baby. Signs of this are no long leaking, feeling that the breasts are empty, and not being able to pump (or not as much as before). Some babies are also fussy while nursing at this time because they are used to the milk just spraying out, and now they have to work for it.

If this is your situation, then you don't have to worry, and you don't have to stop nursing.

If your daughter suddenly started having noticeably fewer wet diapers or less bowel movement, then there could be a supply problem. Otherwise, it's probably fine.

And, by the way, refusing formula can be a sign of allergy. Some babies know that a food that is offered will make them sick.

Answer 2

Hey, Newmomma! Your milk supply is not low. Your breasts produce milk depending on how much your baby nurses. It just may seem that way to you. If you are really that concerned, check w/your doctor. Have you tried a soy formula? My son wouldn't take formula either. A lot of people in my life did not agree with me, but I breastfed my son until he was 3 1/2 years old. He still remembers and he is 10 1/2 now! As he got older, it was usually only at night before bedtime. Goodluck to you two.

Answer 3

My daughter is 8 months old and I breastfeed her as well. I have been having the same feeling as you, like my breasts are going empty but I assure you that as long as your daughter is gaining enough weight and is wetting enough diapers she is just fine. Everytime I worry that Im not making enough I pump an extra feeding out once or twice a day. My breasts usually then make an amount I am comfortable with. Though this is not necessary it makes me feel better.
As far as switching to formula goes...breastfeeding is SO much better for your baby. If you are still able to breastfeed you should.
And I dont know who that guy was that said to give your baby 2% cows milk now, but he dead wrong. First of all, they shouldnt even have cows milk until they are AT LEAST a year. When you do introduce it to them, it should be whole milk not two-percent. A baby needs the extra fat found in whole milk for growth. Two- percent and other kinds should not be given until they are at least two.
Anyway good luck. Id tell you not to worry, but worrying is something that Ive found comes with motherhood. Good Luck!

Answer 4

If you are only pumping you have to pump about every 4 hours to keep your supply up. And that includes the middle of the night. Never miss a pumping session. If you are not doing that then you will have absolutely no supply milk very soon. And massage your breast before and if possible while you pump. That should help. I exclusively pumped for my first child. I was able to do it for a long time and didn't need formula, but then again I was able to stay at home with her. I know had I been a working mother I could have never done it for very long.

Answer 5

Why do you think that your suppy is low? Many times moms think they have a low supply but they really don't. They may be mistaking something else for a supply problem.

It's important to note that the feel of the breast, the behavior of your baby, the frequency of nursing, the sensation of let-down, or the amount you pump are NOT valid ways to determine if you have enough milk for your baby.

Check out the links below to help determine if your supply is really low, how to determine if your baby is getting enough milk and ways to boost milk production.

Her age is NOT "at the upper limit of nursing" as someone else posted. The MINIMUM amount of time that the AAP suggests you nurse is 12 months. The MINIMUM amount of time that the WHO and UNICEF recommend that you nurse is 2 YEARS.

Answer 6

I don't know if this works with breastmilk but when i switched my babies from formula to whole milk, I mixed a small amount of milk with the formula and gradually increased the milk while decreasing the formula. I did it over a few weeks but if your milk is low you may have to do it a little faster. Good Luck.

Answer 7

Since she is 8 months I am sure you are giving her solids too, and that should balance out the smaller amount of milk she is getting.
If you need to give her formula I would mix half breast with it until she becomes accustomed, or ask the doc what the best course of action is.
Good luck!

Answer 8

I started to get low also around then, My doctor told me to drink a beer a day and it would increase my milk supply. I don't like beer so I found out that you can get the same thing in a powder at GNC or pills. As far as getting her to drink from a bottle try a little sugar in the mix.

Answer 9

use a pump to get your milk flowing again, she should be using a bottle now anyway weather it is formula or your milk. pump in between feedings, since she isnt drinking as much anymore you will dry up a little. but in no way should you give your baby cows milk untill a year! at least~!

Answer 10

start by mixing it as directed and then take half and half your milk and the formula and if that does not work try a different kind or contact your dr to see what they suggest or even a nurse help line