Is my baby getting the positive affects from breastmilk if hes not completley on it?

Question

I use a breast pump since im having trouble with him, and im not producing enough milk to feed him entirley on breastmilk so i use formula also, i was wondering if he is still getting the positive affects from breastmilk or does he have to be drinking it eclusivley? (he gets about 4-5 bottles of breastmilk aday) (the rest simulac formula)

Answer 1

Yes! You are doing the best thing you can do for your baby. Some breastmilk is better than none at all. Your baby will be getting all of the nutritional benefits that breastmilk has to offer. Congratulations to you for working so hard to give your baby the best! I pumped with twins, and I know it is no easy task!
You rock, momma!

Answer 2

You wont produce enough unless you're pumping and feeding enough. Pumping can be the cause of you not making enough, since the pump simply will not empty the breast completely, which is needed to stimulate enough production.

When babies fuss because they are hungry, they end up suckling most of the day and night for a couple days. They get a bunch of little snacks, and because they were able to sit on the breast and keep it emptied it causes you to produce more.

Feeding with formula because a baby is fussing and hungry keeps you from producing enough milk. The only way to reverse it is to pump and nursing continuously until your supply goes up. Its hard work, and you'll spend a few days doing nothing but nursing, but its part of the nursing process.

All that said, yes, he still gets the benefits, maybe not as much as he would if he were nursing exclusively, but he still gets a dose of white blood cells, antibodies and all sorts of goodness every time he gets a meal from the breast.

Answer 3

Oh yes!!!

I'm pumping too & I noticed that if I do it more often (every 3-4 hours except at night) & drinking a lot of light hot tea sweetened with condensed milk (1-2tspoons) I get a lot more milk. About 10oz more in 24hr period. Can you try doing that?

I know exactly what you are going through & it's easy for them to say omit the bottle & so forth... You do what you are already doing. Even a little breast milk helping your baby!!! But try to increase your supply by pumping more & drinking more liquids like Green Tea, Black tea (light), water, no milk by itself & no coffee(your baby won't sleep at night!)

Formula is fine too, but breastmilk is still better!

Good luck!

Answer 4

Yes he still gets positive effects from whatever breast milk he does receive. In every ounce you feed your baby he receives antigens, easier to digest fats, carbs and and easily absorbable iron. Its best to drink exclusively from the breast but if not keep up what your doing! Great work mom. Pumping is tough but your doing your baby a huge favor by giving him a good start!

Answer 5

The more he gets, the better, but any amount of breastmilk you can give him is great.

Think of it as you would your own food - if you eat 2 healthy meals per day and one 'junk' meal, it's still much better than eating 3 'junk' meals. The same applies to breastmilk.

Answer 6

Yes. Any amount that he gets is good for him. The longer you can keep feeding, the better. But even if he's only getting one bottle of breast milk per day, that is still much better than none. But of course, the more the better!

Answer 7

Stop using the formula and see a lactation consultant. Your doctor can give you information about consultants available in your area.

Answer 8

He is still getting the positive effects. Pump more often and your supply will increase and you can go back to exclusively breast fed.

Answer 9

any breastmilk you give him is good for him so dont worry im sure you are doin your best

Answer 10

1. How old is he?
2. How do you know he is not getting enough breastmilk??? Is he wetting 8 diapers a day minus the formula?

Your milk supply is not well-established until 4-6 weeks after birth. In addition, adding a bottle is confusing baby. My concern is that you are going to stop nursing because of the above issues when it WAS working.

Breastfeeding is not like bottlefeeding. Gulp, gulp, done- not the way it works. Breastfeeding takes work for the baby to draw the milk out of the breast. Breastfed babies get hungrier earlier because the breastmilk is easier to digest. Breastfed babies nurse for comfort as well as for hunger- and it is common for them to fuss and appear hungry in the early weeks when they just ate.

-it is common for a young baby to nurse all the time- they do that. I will post links in a moment for you to read about this.
-While he is still getting the benefits of the breastmilk- it's not as much.

See a lactation consultant about his latch issues. If you are using a bottle too soon, you are causing nipple confusion. Omit the bottle, only nurse until later and the problem will resolve.

http://www.wiessinger.baka.com/bfing/howworks/hungry.html
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/basics/latch-resources.html
Home > Breastfeeding > The Normal Course of Breastfeeding

Nursing your newborn — what to expect in the early weeks
This information is also found as part of the professional Breastfeeding Logs.

By Kelly Bonyata, BS, IBCLC

The First Week
Weeks two through six
Additional information
The First Week
How often should baby be nursing?

Frequent nursing encourages good milk supply and reduces engorgement. Aim for nursing at least 10 - 12 times per day (24 hours). You CAN'T nurse too often--you CAN nurse too little.

Nurse at the first signs of hunger (stirring, rooting, hands in mouth)--don't wait until baby is crying. Allow baby unlimited time at the breast when sucking actively, then offer the second breast. Some newborns are excessively sleepy at first--wake baby to nurse if 2 hours (during the day) or 4 hours (at night) have passed without nursing.

Is baby getting enough milk?

Weight gain: Normal newborns may lose up to 7% of birth weight in the first few days. After mom's milk comes in, the average breastfed baby gains 6 oz/week (170 g/week). Take baby for a weight check at the end of the first week or beginning of the second week. Consult with baby's doctor and your lactation consultant if baby is not gaining as expected.

Dirty diapers: In the early days, baby typically has one dirty diaper for each day of life (1 on day one, 2 on day two...). After day 4, stools should be yellow and baby should have at least 3-4 stools daily that are the size of a US quarter (2.5 cm) or larger. Some babies stool every time they nurse, or even more often--this is normal, too. The normal stool of a breastfed baby is loose (soft to runny) and may be seedy or curdy.

Wet diapers: In the early days, baby typically has one wet diaper for each day of life (1 on day one, 2 on day two...). Once mom's milk comes in, expect 5-6+ wet diapers every 24 hours. To feel what a sufficiently wet diaper is like, pour 3 tablespoons (45 mL) of water into a clean diaper. A piece of tissue in a disposable diaper will help you determine if the diaper is wet.

Breast changes

Your milk should start to "come in" (increase in quantity and change from colostrum to mature milk) between days 2 and 5. To minimize engorgement: nurse often, don’t skip feedings (even at night), ensure good latch/positioning, and let baby finish the first breast before offering the other side. To decrease discomfort from engorgement, use cold and/or cabbage leaf compresses between feedings. If baby is having trouble latching due to engorgement, use reverse pressure softening or express milk until the nipple is soft, then try latching again.

Call your doctor, midwife and/or lactation consultant if:

Baby is having no wet or dirty diapers
Baby has dark colored urine after day 3
(should be pale yellow to clear)
Baby has dark colored stools after day 4
(should be mustard yellow, with no meconium)
Baby has fewer wet/soiled diapers or nurses less
frequently than the goals listed here
Mom has symptoms of mastitis
(sore breast with fever, chills, flu-like aching)




Weeks two through six
How often should baby be nursing?
Frequent nursing in the early weeks is important for establishing a good milk supply. Most newborns need to nurse 8 - 12+ times per day (24 hours). You CAN'T nurse too often—you CAN nurse too little.

Nurse at the first signs of hunger (stirring, rooting, hands in mouth)—don't wait until baby is crying. Allow baby unlimited time at the breast when sucking actively, then offer the second breast. Some newborns are excessively sleepy—wake baby to nurse if 2 hours (during the day) or 4 hours (at night) have passed without nursing. Once baby has established a good weight gain pattern, you can stop waking baby and nurse on baby's cues alone.

The following things are normal:
Frequent and/or long feedings.
Varying nursing pattern from day to day.
Cluster nursing (very frequent to constant nursing) for several hours—usually evenings—each day. This may coincide with the normal "fussy time" that most babies have in the early months.
Growth spurts, where baby nurses more often than usual for several days and may act very fussy. Common growth spurt times in the early weeks are the first few days at home, 7 - 10 days, 2 - 3 weeks and 4 - 6 weeks.
Is baby getting enough milk?
Weight gain: The average breastfed newborn gains 6 ounces/week (170 grams/week). Consult with baby's doctor and your lactation consultant if baby is not gaining as expected.

Dirty diapers: Expect 3-4+ stools daily that are the size of a US quarter (2.5 cm) or larger. Some babies stool every time they nurse, or even more often--this is normal, too. The normal stool of a breastfed baby is yellow and loose (soft to runny) and may be seedy or curdy. After 4 - 6 weeks, some babies stool less frequently, with stools as infrequent as one every 7-10 days. As long as baby is gaining well, this is normal.

Wet diapers: Expect 5-6+ wet diapers every 24 hours. To feel what a sufficiently wet diaper is like, pour 3 tablespoons (45 mL) of water into a clean diaper. A piece of tissue in a disposable diaper will help you determine if the diaper is wet. After 6 weeks, wet diapers may drop to 4-5/day but amount of urine will increase to 4-6+ tablespoons (60-90+ mL) as baby's bladder capacity grows.

Milk supply?
Some moms worry about milk supply. As long as baby is gaining well on mom's milk alone, then milk supply is good. Between weight checks, a sufficient number of wet and dirty diapers will indicate that baby is getting enough milk.

...as quoted from www.kellymom.com