Have any of you decided to breast feed after having already started formula first?

Question

When my son was born we started him on formula, he turned two weeks old this past Saturday. My milk still has not totally dried up, although only drips come out. I have been wondering about switching to breast feeding but feel stupid since he has been on formula since he was born.

My husband thinks I may just be curious since I did not breast feed my first child. Has anyone else went through this? What do you think/what would you do?

Answer 1

Try contacting your local La Leche League (LLL). They can give you all kinds of information and they are a wonderful support group. I read their book and the information in it was amazing. I don't think you should have a problem if you want to start nursing now. I read in their book about an adoptive mom that had never been pregnant using a breast pump to sitmulate her milk glands and it worked.

Answer 2

In theory, you could eventually change to breastfeeding. It would be a rather slow process to start. You would need to offer him the breast first, and you would need to express some breast milk onto the nipple to gain his interest. He likely will not be interested in working long, since with the bottle, he gets milk immediately, and the let down of breast milk initially isn't that fast.
You would have to continue to give him formula until your milk supply builds up. And, the best way to build your supply to meet his needs would be to use an electric breast pump after having the baby at breast. The best pump to use would be a Medela Symphony pump. They cycle most like an infant would nurse, so they establish the supply more quickly.
I would encourage you to contact a lactation specialist if you are serious about trying to breast feed. You can find them at a hospital with a larger maternity unit, or perhaps the local WIC office.
It can be done, if you are willing to put a little work into it for the short term. And, your son will benefit from the antibodies from the breast milk he receives.

Answer 3

Definitely try!!! Even if you only breastfeed part time, it's still waaaaayy better for everyone involved- baby gets the best food possible, you lose weight faster, and you cut down on expensive formula.
He might not take the breast now that he's used to a bottle, but some babies are flexible about it. If he won't take the breast, you can still pump or hand express milk for him. See if the hospital/birthing center you delivered at has a lactation consultant, or look up your local chapter of the la leache league.
Even if you are just curious, what do you have to lose by trying?

Answer 4

The formula will definitly intervene, yet, its some thing you may do to maintain the youngster nourished. See a lactation representative approximately positioning the youngster for feeding and getting the final "latch". The latch is the grip of the mouth on the nipple. via fact if the latch is incorrect it rather is going to reason you soreness and the milk won't bypass sturdy and the toddler wont have a sturdy grip on the nipple. Its definitly a sturdy theory to get a breast pump to maintain your milk grant up because it rather is going to decrease if your no longer expressing milk often. Its grant and demand. you could show the milk via hand, i think of its greater artwork in spite of the undeniable fact that. I used a medela double eletronic pump. Medela has a internet site, look it up. little ones r' us has some sturdy pumps, would desire to choose to end via there. desire this facilitates and congrats on your little equipment deal.

Answer 5

Okay...if you are looking for the right answer there isnt one...you have to chose for yourself wheather you want to do this or not...I breastfeed for 3 weeks before my milk dried up and to tell you the truth if you start now...you may have to keep him on formula until your breasts get used to supplying that much milk...it will start out really slow and you wont get that much but eventually you will get more milk as time goes by.

Answer 6

Depend on if your son wants to drink breast milk or not since he is used to the formula. If he likes to breast milk, go ahead and get start it. You can use the breast pump which I used to pump milk for my son for one whole year.

Answer 7

Our pediatrician thought I wasn't supplying enough breastmilk for my baby so he suggested us to give my baby formula in the first week. Later on I found out my milk supply is going up (since I eat more and drink more). We changed back to breastmilk... it was when my baby was 1 week old. Since then, she is having breastmilk exclusively until now. She is 4 months now. =)

Answer 8

because the place where i delivered is not a friendly breastfeeding hospital,they giving my newborn daughter a formula without my consent.the reason they gave is because i had a caesarean operation and its hard for me to breasfeed.
i only breastfeed on the 5th day,but my milk supply is very low.i insisted to breastfeed her anyway and keep pumping my breast.the work is paid off and my baby is still breastfeed untill now (she is 7months)

Answer 9

did you talk to the doc about change him from formula. it might not be a good thing to change like that or you might have to change it alittle at a time. you might want to see frist before you do it. as for what you hubby said it might be ture you mightwhat to know how it feels and if you can do it. i would say talk to a doc then do it if it is okay for the baby. good luck. nd crngrads on the wonderful baby!!!!

Answer 10

You can absolutely do this! It may take a little while to build up a complete supply, but it is SO worth it for you to try.

Check out the link below for more information.

Congrats to you!