Is there a way to breast feed and give supplement at the exact same time if you milk has not yet come in?

Question

My wife's milk has not yet come in, and we are supplementing with formula. Can this be done at the same time with some sort of device?

Answer 1

Yes, it's called a supplemental nursing system, SNS, and the lactation consultant at the hospital can hook you up.

HOWEVER, there is no need to supplement until the milk comes in. Babies are born with fat stores to tide them over until the milk fully arrives. Until then, colostrum is more than enough.
In fact, by giving the baby a supplement it cuts the time the baby is spending at the breast suckling and it may signal mom's body that it doesn't need to make milk, setting you up to fail.

I recommend picking up a book on nursing, like The Breastfeeding Book, or The Nursing Mother's Companion Guide. It sounds like you're already making a common mistake in assuming that the baby needs to be supplemented before the mother's milk arrives. Reading up on nursing can help you know what to expect and avoid common pitfalls.

Good luck, and don't be afraid to call the lactation consultants at the hospital where you delivered to get more information.

Answer 2

You've done a wonderful job fighting a difficult battle these past two months! Any milk that he gets will be a benefit to him. SO he's already had a great benefit for 2 mos and any amount of milk you are willing and able to give him will continue to benefit him. ANY breastmilk is always better than none at all. You sound like you really love nursing, but are also finding it very stressful so far. Maybe switching to mostly nursing for comfort and/or at wake up/bedtimes would make you feel less stressed and allow you to enjoy nursing more? Have you only worked with the doctor, or have you talked to a La Leche League Leader and/or a Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) about your supply? They tend to know more about it than doctors. Maybe they would have other ideas you haven't tried. I'm assuming you've worked on breastfeeding management, checked latch, all of that. Have you tried any herbs or prescription meds? Have you considered providing the supplements AT the breast with a supplemental nursing system? This is a bottle/bag with tubing that is taped near your nipple so the child gets BOTH your milk and the supplement at the same time.

Answer 3

The less she breastfeeds, the less milk your wife will produce so it could cause problems with b/f. Also once the baby gets used to the shape of the bottle teat it might not latch to the breast to well. I presume you are feeding the baby colostrum (thats all the good stuff).

Answer 4

Can *what* be done at the same time?