The switch to formula from breastmilk?

Question

My son is 2 months old and he is solely feeding on breast milk. I don't seem to pump enough at times and Im afraid that he won't be getting enough to eat. Should I switch to formula and if so, which kind? And if not, what can I do to enhance the flow of milk?

Answer 1

I admit that I do not really know what your situation is but here are my suggestions:
1) Have the baby drink from the breast as much as possible. Babies are much better than pumps at stimulating supply.
- If you are exclusively pumping because of latch problems, please know it is not too late. Most moms succeed at getting baby back to the breast as long as the baby is under 4 months. After 4 months the chances decline but they are still there. See a lactation consultant to check your latch as a bad latch can be painful and in addition even one that isn't painful can effect supply particularly in moms who must pump at least some of the time.
- Consider co-sleeping. Co-sleeping is safe as long as you baby proof your bed. There are many ways of doing this and lots of websites out there that can help you. Or contact me and I can help you out, but this answer is going to be long as it is. With cosleeping your baby can do what is called "reverse cycling" many working moms see this as a bad thing but it is actually a good thing. When reverse cycling your baby will drink more often at night and go for longer stretches during the day. Most babies and most moms want their baby to sleep as long as possible at night. However babies can get most of their daily breastfeeding in during the night and only feed one or two times during the day. If you co-sleep you will learn to nap during the feedings and sleep deeply between them. My 8 month old still eats at least every three hours at night, and frequently more often. This is just because he is too busy during the day. But I co-sleep and ordinarily I get enough sleep.

2) Pump longer. Even if you can not pump as often as you would like pumping for 20 minutes can help stimulate supply. Also you may do better with a different pump. WIC and other organizations may give you one for free. That way you will not have to pay for a new pump.

3) If your baby is gaining well and having enough diapers, they are getting enough. If you were breastfeeding 100% of the time you would never know how much they are getting and it shouldn't be a concern. So don't let the numbers get to you, particularly if you are breastfeeding only some of the time.

4) If you truly have a low supply there are herbs and foods that may help. The simplist are oatmeal and yeast. Try eating oatmeal for breakfast, or some cold oat based cereal. Have oatmeal bars, granola, or oatmeal cookies as your afternoon snack. You can buy nutritional yeast at most whole food stores, vegans eat it for the b12. If that doesn't work many moms have success with fenugreek, blessed thistle, or mother's milk tea. Mother's Milk Tea available online and at most whole food stores is the easiest way to go. It is preblended and has dosages on it specifically for increasing supply. There are also prescription drugs that can help

For more info on telling if your supply is low:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/index.html
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/pumping_decrease.html

For info on the use of herbs to increase your supply:
http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/milksupply/herbal_galactagogue.html

Prescriptions:
http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/prescript_galactagogue.html

If you do decide to suppliment with formula some of the time, it is very important that you have your baby's iron level monitored as formula can interfere with the aborption of iron from breastmilk. In addition, supplimenting can cause your supply to become even lower.

More on pumping and working:
http://www.kellymom.com/newman/17feed_baby_working_moms.html
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/weaning/weaning-partial.html

For info on choosing a formula:
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/0/T000100.asp

Answer 2

When I was breastfeeding I had the same worries, my boy drank *alot*. Some the advice I was given was to pump in between feeds to get the milk supply up. But also remember that the less stressed you are, the easier it will be - so as hard as it is - don't stress about it! By 2 months, he should be quite adept at getting what he needs from you. As he requires more milk, he'll increase your milk supply bit by bit. Also, drink plenty of water. And there are herbs you can take such as fenugreek and fennel. Ask a health shop what they recommend but they are two herbs that I know of that have been used by mothers for a long time to increase their supply.

I'm not sure where abouts you live but you can also get in contact with a Breast Feeding Association where they're always helpful in providing the advice and support you need for stress-free breastfeeding. As far as adding cereal to milk, or anything like that - don't! Putting anything like cereal into milk is a choking hazard and further, your baby isn't able to process anything other than milk until he/she is six months old. If you've done all you can, then formula is fine. The main thing is that you are coping well and happy, if breastfeeding isn't for you and you can't get your head around it - there's plenty of fantastic formulas on the market. The one I have used for my son is Karicare Gold, he's done really well on it.

Here's two good sites on increasing milk supply.

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T022800.asp
http://ar.essortment.com/increasebreas_rhtl.htm


Good luck!

Answer 3

Thats thesame reason I switched to formula, only it was after 2 weeks. I even had to out rice cereal on in his bottles. he's ow 3 months old and on baby food lol.

The best formula is Enfmail Lipil with Iron. It is the one that is most like breast milk. It has the DHA and ARA in it.

To enhance milk flow i've heard that you can pump like every hour. This will make your breasts think you are wanting more milk and they will produce more.

I actually prefer bottle feeding to breast feeding thouh. I know its not the by the book thing but it is so much easier when you have 3 kids 3 and under.

Good Luck!!

Answer 4

Just know that if you switch to or supplement with formula, your flow of milk will decrease, unless you pump more. He gets more from nursing than you can pump. As for increasing your milk flow, nursing and pumping are the two answers. Try setting an alarm (yes, it's painful) to get up and pump when your baby is asleep for the night or else nurse him from one side & pump from the other first thing in the morning. As long as he's gaining weight steadily and doesn't seem to be hungry, he's just fine.

Answer 5

any amount of breastmilk is better than formula. even a combo of formula and breasmilk is better than just formula.
supplimenting formula is a downward spiral.. the more you do it, the more you will keep doing it... and the less supply you will have.
i don't know if you are soley pumping.. if you are, just pump more to make more & check out kellymom.com website- pumping section.

if you are nursing & pumping try to remember that whatever you pump is actually EXTRA supply.. & not to be used as a guide as to how much milk your baby is actually getting. watch diaper & weight gain for that. :)

Good Job, you are an excellent mom for trying to find help. Remember that there are hundreds of nutrients in breastmilk that aren't in formula. :)

Answer 6

Hey there, I had the same problem, but I kept with the breastfeeding. I consulted a Breastfeeding clinic and was given help through some herbal supplements, and it did helped. I too did not pump a lot but seemed to have enough milk when my son fed. Try that if you haven't already. Good Luck!

Answer 7

best advice l can give is consult you Dr. first every baby is different so can't say which kind. I have 3 myself and all took different formula. I'm pretty sure the brest milk flow would depend on supply on demand. good luck with your new bundle of joy!!!

Answer 8

well beleive it or not my son was on cereal at one month old. all i did was put one teaspoon in with his bottle and it seemed to hold him over. cuz the milk wasn't cutting it. i didn't breast feed but even the formula wasn't enough. you should ask your doctor what is the best kind of formula. the hospital i went to put my son on similac. and he had no problem with that.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

ok i nursed 3 to increase your milk its like supply and demand the more u nurse the more u will produce although i gave mine plain cereal at 2 months it was so much better for me and him he gained nicely and i didn't feel as if i were a milk machine...so id recommend it to anyone!!!!!!!!!!!!