I breastfeed and give formula but I feel so guilty, although I give max two bottle in 24hrs, please advice.?

Question

I feel so gulity that I'm not being a good mummy for not breastfeeding my daughter all the time. I give her max two bottle's of formula in 24hrs which I know is not a lot but it feels that my milk is slowing what can I do to increase my breast milk but still be able to give her formula? I hope someone can advise me. thank you

Answer 1

dude don't feel bad, if your not producing enough milk she needs that formula. I supplimented with formula also, when i returned to work when my daughter was 3 mos old i had to give her formula during the day.
its fine, she will flourish with both

Answer 2

Your milk is slowing down because you are feeding her less and less. This isn't a judgment, but why are you supplementing formula? If you are doing it because you don't have enough milk, there are lots of things you can do to increase your milk supply. If its for other reasons, don't worry about how much milk you are producing, your body will make what your baby needs. My 11 month old son only nurses once a day for a few minutes and there is always milk there for him and I'm not swimming in it either!
To make more milk:
Nurse constantly on one side and pump continuously on the other. Then switch the next day.
By the 3 rd day you should be back up to full feedings.
You can try hot showers and warm washcloths on your breasts to help bring the milk in.
Drink more water. Even if you are drinking the exact recommended amount, drink more. You can't have enough water.
Add a few calories to your diet (if you are slim and don't eat heavy, otherwise try high protein meals).
Ask your midwife/ob-gyn for more advice.
Or you could go to our brand new breast feeding question asking forum for any questions you may have.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/breastfeedingdoneright/

Answer 3

First of all, good for you!!!! Every little bit of breastmilk that you give your baby provides so much benefit. You're doing great!

Breastfeeding is supply and demand, so you are probably making enough for what you need minus the two bottles, but if you want to increase your supply, perhaps you could pump for those two bottles instead? When it is feeding time, pump milk and maybe also first thing in the morning. Feed her on demand on nights and weekends (or whatever your work schedule would allow). For supplements, you can try the following. Some work great for one and not at all for another so you may need to try a few:

fenugreek, 3 capsules 3 times daily (do not take if you are allergic to chickpeas or peanuts)

mothers milk tea

red raspberry leaf tea (it must be the leaf)

oatmeal or any whole grain (not instant)

brewer's yeast (this is the ingredient in beer and root beer that works, but I'd hate to recommend alcohol!)

Answer 4

Breast milk is pretty much a supply and demand kind of thing. The more she nurses the more you make. The bottles may be decreasing your supply as she is getting her nutrition from another source.

Welcome to the wonderful world of guilt by the way. Anything you do or don't do will be cause to stop and feel as though you did not do enough, could of done it different or better. Keep in mind that you are doing the best you can for your baby and you and don't beat yourself up too much. It would be nice if we all lived in a perfect world where we had all the time, patience, rest, education, help, etc..., but since we don't we make do w/ what we have, the best we can.

Answer 5

The only way to increase your milk supply is to breast feed more often or to pump your milk. Babies who are only formula fed can be as healthy as babies who are exclusively breast fed. Combining both breast feeding and formula feeding is fine. Giving her 2 bottle of formula will naturally slow your breast milk production since your daughter does not need as much breast milk. If you have the means to buy a good electric breast pump, you can pump while someone else feeds her the formula. After a couple days, you will begin to produce more milk which you can store in the refrigerator for 8 days, in the freezer for 3-4 months, and in a deep freezer for 6 months. Breast milk can also be kept at room temperature for up to 10 hours. If you choose to give her 2 bottles of formula per day, that does not make you a bad mom and you should not feel any guilt in that decision. Your breast milk production will adjust to fill her needs for the remainder of the day. While it is true that breast milk is best, that does not translate to formula is bad.

Answer 6

Please don't feel bad. Your not being a bad mummy by giving your little girl formula instead of breast milk. Every woman is different in the amount of time that her body allows breast milk to be produced. I myself was only able to breastfeed a month before I had to switch over to formula completely. I asked my doctor and he told me exactly what I typed above. If you are really very worried about it, speak with your pediatrician when you next take your daughter in for a check up or for her shots. I'm sure they wouldn't even mind you calling and asking a question. Many areas have nurses especially trained to help new lactating mothers. Good luck and God bless.

Answer 7

Don't feel bad, alot of mothers do both. I did both for my childern. To increase your breast milk but still give her formula just pump a few extra times a day. Breast milk works on supply and demand, so if you're pumping it / feeding the baby, it will continue to come in. Good Luck!!

Answer 8

You have nothing to feel guilty about you are just giving her 2 bottles of formula a day, she is still getting the breastmilk the rest of the time. I think it sounds like you are doing a great job, and have nothing to feel guilty or bad about.

Answer 9

u need to pump more if u don't use the milk u lose it... u are suppose to pump every 4 hours.. if not then your breast will engorge( get hard) and will stop producing milk..as long as your breastfeeding your body will produce..

Answer 10

First off, stop being so unnecessarily quilt-ridden. Many moms choose to use both methods and it works just fine for baby. What "is" important is the love you give your daughter...sounds as if you're doing just great, mom!