Does anyone else supplement formula while they are at work?

Question

I am pumping my heart out, have been prescribed Reglan, and nothing doing. My MAXIMUM pumping output each day is 6 ounces. That's with 2-3 pumping sessions at work, 2 at night and 1 in the morning. I'm just not making enough, and my freezer supply is about out.

I feel guilty, but I've got to feed her! I'm hoping the Reglan will help in a few days, but...who knows. I may wind up just having to do half and half.

Does anyone have any experiences that can help me out? Any particular fgomrula that is best? I know when I was in the hospital, they said the Similac tends to stain and be harder on their bellies.

My daughter is 10 weeks olding, weighing 7 lbs. She was a preemie.

Any advice is welcome. Thanks.

Dang! I meant old, not olding, lol.

Answer 1

Hello! I solely breastfed my daughter until she was 2 mos old. At that point I had to go back to work. Just like you, I was unable to pump enough milk. What I did, was pumped as much as I could, which tended to be about half of what she needed. So I mixed her bottles half and half. I use Enfamil Lipil. We tried a few different ones, and this is the only one my daughter would tolerate. By the time she was 4 mos old, I just couldn't pump anymore, so I started slowly giving her bottles of just formula. (I went from mixing half and half, to about 3 parts formula, 1 part milk, etc.) After a couple of weeks she was drinking straight formula, and I was just breastfeeding her at night and in the morning before I went to work. By 6 mos, she was just drinking formula. (She was eating solid foods by this time, and the breast milk just wasn't filling her up anymore.) She's still drinking the Enfamil Lipil, and she is doing well with it. They also have one that is the same thing but just partially broken down (it's in a purple can), my doctor said there wasn't much difference though. Hope this helps! :)

Answer 2

1 - How does baby act when nursing directly at the breast? Does she seem satisfied after nursing? Maybe this is more of a pumping issue than a supply issue?

2 - What kind of pump are you using? Electric? Brand? Double or single?

3 - Have you sterlized your pump recently? Sometimes boiling all the parts will help you get a better seal and then help you get more milk when you pump. If using a Medela PIS, maybe you need new little white flaps that go on the horns? Can you see not just your nipple, but a good portion of your areola pulled into the horns of your pump when you use it?

4 - Do you get a letdown feeling when you pump?

5 - Do you do massage prior to pumping? Maybe apply heat? Fantasize about baby? Have a picture of baby to look at? Something that smells like baby? When at home have you tried nursing with baby on one side and the pump on the other side?

6 - When pumping, I know this sounds odd, but try leaning slightly forward. This lets gravity help you out a bit. Also, don't watch the pump all the time. It can make you tense and inhibit your letdown.

7 - When you notice that the flow of milk has slowed or stopped, take off the horns and reposition them slightly on your breasts. This can allow you to get a second letdown and empty different milk ducts.

8 - If this is truely a supply problem and not a pumping problem, have you considered domperidone instead of reglan? From what I have heard, it is more effective with less potential side effects.

9 - Have you tried herbal supplements such as fenugreek and blessed thistle? Typical dosage is 3-4 capsules of each 3x per day. See the link below.

10 - Eating oatmeal helps some moms, so try oatmeal for breakfast every day.

11 - Try a "nursing vacation" this weekend. Do NOTHING all weekend except take care of yourself, nurse and pump. Put hubby in charge of housework, meals, etc. Nurse or pump every couple of hours around the clock. It's like tricking your body into thinking baby is going through a growth spurt. You may be able to boost your supply this way.

12 - Are you on hormonal birth control? Any other meds besides Reglan that could be having an affect on your supply?

13 - Any prior breast surgeries?

14 - Breast shape - any chance you have tubular breasts? For moms with this unique breast shape, sometimes there isn't enough breast tissue to produce well.

Answer 3

I breastfed my baby as much as I could & pumped at work... but by the time she was 6 months I just couldn't take it any more :( I was pumping maybe an ounce a day, and I was stressed out more than anything over not being able to pump enough. So in the end, I ended up just letting go of pumping, and eventually of breastfeeding all together. My husband has been the stay-at-home parent since she was born, and he fed her bottles of enfamil lipil. She's just fine now, and was just as content with the bottle as she was with nursing.

If the pumping situation & work is making you stressed out, then maybe you should reconsider. I really miss nursing my little one... but I am a much more sane, happy mama than I was when the whole pumping/milk production issue was making me crazy. LoL.

Answer 4

I am in the exact same boat as you!! I am going back to work next week, and do not have a supply for my son. To supplement, I use Goodstart with comfort proteins. It is milk based. I was told it is one of the more gentle formulas. I would suggest pumping every time your baby eats and drink LOTS of water and get good rest. I am now pumping my 'brains' out and just beginning to get my supply back......very slowly!! I know it's frusterating, but remember every ounce of breastmilk your baby gets is beneficial, even if it's one bottle a day!! GOOD LUCK, I know how you feel!!!