Unfortunately, over the last few weeks, my milk supply has started dwindling. I'm not sure if it's going back to work, the stress at work, or what, but I am not producing like I used to. I am also concerned that Annie isn't eating quite as much as she needs to at her age (which is 3 months as of today!!! :)). I am trying to bump up her feedings to 4 oz. bottles throughout the day, and there is just no way I am going to produce that. And unfortunately, I do not have the frozen supply I would like to use in the meantime of trying to revamp my milk supply (I started an herbal supplement today called Fenugreek, which is supposed to help with milk production!).
So, after talking with the pediatricians office and the Breastfeeding Clinic, I've decided I have to start supplementing with some formula for the time being. Also, I have to start giving her bottles in the evening too (either of breast milk or formula) because my milk supply is much less in the evening - I know I only produce about 2-2.5 oz. or so at her 5pm and 7:30pm feedings, which is just not enough. The Breastfeeding Clinic suggested that I at least try to give formula and breast milk in separate bottles (if she will take the formula on its own) since supposedly mixing reduces the effectiveness of breast milk. So last night was her first full formula bottle at her 7:30pm feeding...and she took it like a champ! Didn't even make the "ewww, what's this?!?" face that I expected her to. So, of course, I thought everything was going well transitioning to one formula bottle per day.
But, unfortunately that wasn't the case! We, luckily, have gone 3 months without having Annie fuss throughout the night....until last night. She went to bed around 8pm, and woke up crying at like 9pm, 11pm, 3am, and 5am. We could tell her tummy was hurting her. She has had issues with gas in the past, but she was definitely in more pain last night. So, the only thing that has obviously changed in the last 24 hours is the fact that she took a formula bottle. I used Enfamil Infant formula...no special kind, just the plain infant formula. Has anyone else had this happen where their baby reacted bad right away to formula? I am going to call the doctor to see what I should do, but I also wanted to see if anyone else has gone through this as well and what the solution was for them. I have a sample of a "gentle" type of formula from Gerber I think it is, so that could be a solution.
Anyway, just wanted some feedback from people that may have dealt with this when transitioning to formula...thanks! :)
I think it definitely takes some trial and error with formula- and also a little time. We used Gerber gentle formula and I liked it much more than Similac or Enfamil. Even so, I'd say it took a few days before her tummy was used to it.
ReplyDeleteI had to start supplementing around 4 months too- I was like you, I couldn't get more than 2-2.5oz most of the time when I pumped. I know how frustrating it can be! You do what you can and in the end, formula really isn't so bad, aside from the price tag. :)
Thanks for the information Amy! Ya, I do wonder if it will just take some time for her to get used to it, so that's why I'm wondering if the doctor will just tell me to stick with regular Enfamil for a few more days. Since I have the free samples of Gerber gentle, I may as well try it tonight and see if it's any better. Trial and error, like you said :) I'm happy I have gotten at least 3 months of exclusively breastfeeding in - she'll still be getting mostly breast milk for now, which I'm happy about. Thanks Amy!
ReplyDeleteThe same thing happened to me when I went back to work. It's definitely frustrating! Is there any way you could squeeze in an extra pumping session during the day to try to increase your supply? (I know, easier said than done when you are trying to juggle a hectic work day!) One thought I had - Jack had reflux when he was a newborn and I read that Annie does too. The only thing that ended up helping him was when I cut out dairy and soy, but it took a couple weeks to get it out of my system and for the reflux to improve. He wasn't allergic to it, just really sensitive to it, and when I supplemented with formula I had to give him Alimentum since it doesn't have dairy or soy in it. Maybe Annie is sensitive to dairy and soy too? Just a thought you could run by your doctor. It's so hard to figure out what's going on with babies, and so difficult to see them uncomfortable, but hang in there - you are doing such a great job! This will all work out! - Christa
ReplyDeleteThanks Christa! Luckily, I do have a job where I can pump when I need to (well, most days at least), so I should try to work in one more pumping session. I actually tried to cut out dairy and soy about a month ago (after talking with Emily actually!), but it actually seemed to make her fussiness and stuff worse than when I do eat dairy and soy (although, I think she may be more sensitive to soy than dairy). Thanks for all of your input! :)
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