https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 27 Apr 2026 16:20:03 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/supplementing-2#post-2922795 Thu, 04 Mar 2021 08:52:15 +0000 SweetCaroline 2922795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BadgerMom: @MrsSCB: Thank you both! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/supplementing-2#post-2922794 Thu, 04 Mar 2021 07:37:58 +0000 MrsSCB 2922794@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I switched to formula at daycare/breastmilk at home with my daughter — a little different but starting at seven months I gradually weaned off of pumping, so I pumped twice a day for a few weeks, then once, then at nine months stopped pumping altogether. I just replaced the breastmilk with formula. I also didn’t bother mixing, because she didn’t really care and was fine drinking straight formula. I didn’t change the number of bottles or ounces! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/supplementing-2#post-2922791 Wed, 03 Mar 2021 20:52:09 +0000 BadgerMom 2922791@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh man, I totally understand covid brain fatigue! Frankly, at this age I don’t really know if it matters. I don’t think there are any hard and fast rules at this point. I’d just replaced what I would usually give with formula. If he downs it and still seems hungry I gave her more. I think you just have to trust your gut based on their behavior and other signals. </p> <p>As far as daycare goes, if you have to send prepared bottles I’d just start sending the same amount no matter what’s in the bottle. They can figure it out from there and if they think he needs more, they’ll ask. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/supplementing-2#post-2922788 Wed, 03 Mar 2021 13:25:07 +0000 SweetCaroline 2922788@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Help be my brain!</p> <p>DS is 9 months, drinks expressed breastmilk at daycare, 4 ounces every 2 hours, total of 16 ounces. As I wean from the pump, I want to start him on formula (have somewhat of a stash), but am confused about amount of formula to send.</p> <p>I would like to attempt to give him a straight up formula bottle, no mixing with breastmilk. BUT I know that babies who have formula are drinking much bigger bottles much less frequently (in general). So if I want to replace one of his 4 oz breastmilk bottles, where do I start? Send a 5 ounce formula bottle? Would love to hear your experiences.</p> <p>I don't think this should be this hard, but I'm pandemic'd out and in busy season at work. Can't think! Thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-baby-refuses-the-my-nipple#post-2916324 Thu, 11 Jun 2020 00:22:07 +0000 peaches1038 2916324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Check out paced bottle feeding videos on YouTube and like other suggested, use preemie or newborn nipples on the bottles. Do what’s right for you! 💚 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-baby-refuses-the-my-nipple#post-2916313 Wed, 10 Jun 2020 14:24:54 +0000 Chuckles 2916313@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh, I'm sorry! All feeding issues are so stressful. The same thing happened to me this time around. We had planned to and ended up needing to supplement a bit from the start. At the start, nursing seemed great. But then at about 3 weeks, DD had what seemed to be some bad silent reflux and got an aversion to nursing. Thankfully, she was still willing to take a bottle. Starting around 3-4 weeks, she would only nurse overnight when she's really sleepy and sometimes a bit when she first woke up. And that's still the same at almost 7 months. </p> <p>I had multiple consults with 2 lactation consultants, plus a lip and tongue tie revision. Nothing helped. Once she decided she didn't want to nurse when she was alert, that was it. </p> <p>Anyways, I was like you - I didn't want to drive myself crazy but I also wanted to nurse and pump what I could. It's so hard at home with multiple kids to find time to pump. I just decided that I would pump as many times a day as I could without feeling bad about how much time it was taking. I have definitely gone longer than planned between pumps just because the kids needed attention, and I'd rather give more formula than have kids feeling like I'm unavailable. It was harder when she was younger and I had to pump a lot to get my supply established, but at this point, DD is almost 7 months, and I'm pumping about every 4 hours, which for me feels totally manageable, even with 2 kids and working from home. I'm pumping somewhere between 15 and 20 ounces a day, so it still feels worth it, both just for an irrational emotional attachment to feeding her breastmilk and because financially it's helpful. One more thing to add - for me fighting her about nursing was more stressful and felt like more of an emotional rejection than just deciding to mostly pump and bottle feed. Once I took away the battle of trying to get her to nurse, I felt much better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-baby-refuses-the-my-nipple#post-2916310 Wed, 10 Jun 2020 13:37:38 +0000 LemonJack 2916310@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Lahela017: I agree that contacting a lactation consultant could really help. They were a huge asset to me when I was having issues. Also, if you’re on Facebook, join a local La Leche League chapter. The members on our local site are super helpful and can give recommendations for people to see.</p> <p>I’m totally guessing here, but your daughter might prefer the bottle because it’s easier. I’m not sure what nipple stage you’re using, but I’d keep it at the newborn one (0 or 1). This is what our doctor recommended. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-baby-refuses-the-my-nipple#post-2916305 Wed, 10 Jun 2020 06:52:56 +0000 Lahela017 2916305@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not sure, but if I were you, I'd contact a local lactation specialist for some help. I'm sure they would have some ideas for you to help reach your goals. I know that right now most are doing virtual visits. Good luck!</p> <p>ETA, how long has it been going on for? Most babies have nursing strikes at some point. If it's just been a couple days so far, try not to get worried yet, just keep offering the breast and then pump as needed to keep your supply where you want it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-baby-refuses-the-my-nipple#post-2916304 Wed, 10 Jun 2020 06:42:32 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2916304@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly, go to formula. I know it may not be the route you envisioned, but the baby will be just fine and you will be able to get the flexibility you need to take care of yourself. &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-baby-refuses-the-my-nipple#post-2916302 Tue, 09 Jun 2020 21:48:17 +0000 bhbee 2916302@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is it a new development? How long has it been going on? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-baby-refuses-the-my-nipple#post-2916301 Tue, 09 Jun 2020 20:17:32 +0000 CatchAFallingStar 2916301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We decided to combination feed this time around with our third. I’m on medications for anxiety and depression and also just wanted the extra help of other people being able to feed her. Well, she’s 2 1/2 months now and absolutely REFUSES the breast. I don’t want to wean!! I don’t want to pump 24/7!! What do I do? Any advice is so greatly appreciated. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/combination-feeding-from-the-beginning#post-2769369 Wed, 23 Aug 2017 11:48:20 +0000 Mama Bird 2769369@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I combo feed my oldest after one month. I'd just offer a bottle if he wasn't full right after a feeding. In theory it's not a good idea to do this right from the start because it keeps you from developing a good supply, but there were so many things wrong with my supply at that point, that doing more frequent feedings instead would not have helped. It wasn't that hard logistically, and we got the best of both worlds. He still had milk but I never had to worry about bad pumping output, or about someone else feeding him while I'm away. I did hate that doing both meant more bottles to wash... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/combination-feeding-from-the-beginning#post-2769240 Tue, 22 Aug 2017 16:02:15 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2769240@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did this without intention as DS was born premature at 35 weeks. They had us nurse first, then supplement with formula and DW would pump to establish supply....I forget exactly how long we did this but it seemed like a month or two. Literally the night he was born he nursed then I fed him a bottle in the nursery. We continued to split feedings with bottle and nursing and my wife breastfed him until a year old. </p> <p>Now we absolutely plan to do this with any subsequent children as it gave way more flexibility in feeding and allowed me and grandparents, etc to help to take some pressure off my wife. They had a great nursing relationship and he never developed a specific preference to either. Not sure if we just got lucky but we will try doing this again for sure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/combination-feeding-from-the-beginning#post-2769228 Tue, 22 Aug 2017 15:10:26 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2769228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Charm54: I remember you saying you were going to pump for your 2nd! Glad to hear it worked out the way you wanted, that situation sounds pretty good to me!! And thanks! :) </p> <p>@SweetiePie: @Rocker2014: i also had no idea this was truly possible. I thought it only worked if you basically ebf for a long time first.</p> <p>@gingerbebe: that's somewhat along the lines of how I thought it would start out, thanks for sharing!! My second would have been relatively easy to bf, if I had been my normal self, too. Hoping I'll get lucky again. </p> <p>@SteelerGirl: thanks I'll check it out!!</p> <p>@Alba4: Agreed. I feel like pumping is probably quicker if it's just half half so I may go that route. I am much more concerned with how my older two adjust and maintaining my sanity than I am with the baby getting breast milk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/combination-feeding-from-the-beginning#post-2769045 Mon, 21 Aug 2017 18:09:34 +0000 SweetiePie 2769045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rocker2014: This is so good to know, thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/combination-feeding-from-the-beginning#post-2769020 Mon, 21 Aug 2017 15:01:28 +0000 Rocker2014 2769020@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2littlepumpkins: Yes, I pretty much did this!</p> <p> @SweetiePie: This can be done, I did it!</p> <p>I work full time in a setting where I did not feel comfortable pumping (Correctional facilities - they would have accommodated me but I didn't want to) but wanted to try breastfeeding. I worked with an LC starting the day after LO was born and breast fed full time for the first four weeks to establish a supply. Starting around week 5, I substituted one breastfeeding session for a bottle of formula in the daytime. Each week, I substituted another breastfeeding session for a bottle of formula, until by week 12 (when I went back to work) LO was on formula during the day and breastfed morning/night/overnight. We kept this routine up until 13 mos when LO self-weaned!</p> <p>A few key things for me were making sure that I kept the same schedule on the weekends as the weekdays and making sure that I did consistently breastfeed (or pump the few times I went away) every morning and night. I also think that establishing a supply by breastfeeding full time for the first month helped out quite a bit!</p> <p>I did do one pumping session daily for the first six months or so - after waiting years my best friend ended up adopting a baby a few days younger than LO and the pumped milk was for her. Other than that, I never pumped. </p> <p>According to my LC, this won't work biologically for everyone, but we had a fantastic experience with it. I definitely think it is worth trying. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/combination-feeding-from-the-beginning#post-2769019 Mon, 21 Aug 2017 14:48:20 +0000 SteelerGirl 2769019@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I found this helpful<br /> <a href="http://corporettemoms.com/combination-feeding-tips/" rel="nofollow">http://corporettemoms.com/combination-feeding-tips/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/combination-feeding-from-the-beginning#post-2769017 Mon, 21 Aug 2017 14:44:33 +0000 Alba4 2769017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I combo fed both my boys. Neither could latch well due to their posterior tongue-ties and even after having a frenulectomy. I pumped for 6 months with DS1 and for only 3 for DS2. When I started to feel like I was spending too much time pumping is when I quit. I valued cuddling my babies or spending more quality time with than giving them BM. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/combination-feeding-from-the-beginning#post-2768816 Sun, 20 Aug 2017 09:59:31 +0000 gingerbebe 2768816@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2littlepumpkins: After my experience with DS1 (it was bad), with DS2 I went in planning to supplement aggressively at the beginning at the first sign of jaundice (DS1 had to be in NICU for several days), BF on demand the first two weeks, but plan on one scheduled formula bottle per day and any other time I was just too tired. DH handled the one formula feeding. I did work to get in 6 good full feedings or pumpings every day for 6 weeks because that's how long it takes for my milk to establish at it's full potential. So if the baby ended up snacking on me I went and pumped a few minutes afterwards, etc.</p> <p>After two weeks of feeding on demand, I put DS2 on a 3 hour feeding schedule (aside from growth spurts and any other time he decided he was hungry). This allowed me to pick the feedings I wanted to BF, pump for, or FF since I knew when they would happen. A growth spurt week meant more formula. MOTN feedings usually required one bottle feeding of pumped milk because they would zonk out at the breast within 2 minutes and not take enough to be full. Mornings I could<br /> BF and pump a little extra. I usually pumped at 930 or 10 before I went to bed and froze it as stash while DH gave DS2 the formula Dreamfeed. If we were out and about, formula. Grandma wants to give a feeding, no problem. The 3 hour interval trained my body to have enough milk at the right time and once that was done I could schedule a feeding to drop gradually.<br /> I loved it. I had better supply the second time and could have EBFed if I wanted to. But it was so convenient - the baby was a great nurser, had no issues with bottles, and didn't mind breastmilk or formula or a mix of both. I went back to work with a full freezer of stash. I pump weaned at 9 months, we stopped nursing shortly thereafter except for bedtime, and he still had frozen breastmilk at least once or twice a day until he was 13 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/combination-feeding-from-the-beginning#post-2768805 Sun, 20 Aug 2017 07:36:39 +0000 SweetiePie 2768805@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2littlepumpkins: very interested in this!<br /> In my ideal world I would BF once in the morning and once in the evening and FF everything else. NO pumping besides the first few days to get a supply going.<br /> I don't know anyone who has actually done this so I don't know if it's even possible. </p> <p>I also had no problems with supply for my first, it wasn't an oversupply but it was abundant. I never had a good BF relationship but a big part was my PPD (he could latch, drain, etc). And pumping was awful for my mental health as well. When he was 4-5 weeks I also had to make a huge effort to dry up. </p> <p>I'm leaning towards just FF from the getgo unless someone can tell me my ideal dream above is possible. I might contact my LC from last time to ask her, since she's well aware of my situation (she urged me to stop BF and pumping last time because she saw what it did to my mental state). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/combination-feeding-from-the-beginning#post-2768800 Sun, 20 Aug 2017 06:38:44 +0000 Charm54 2768800@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did - For dd2, I pumped and formula fed pretty much 50/50.</p> <p>I started pumping Day 1 and pumped 6x a day for a week or two to get my milk in. After that I pumped only when I had the time (I EPed DD1 but couldn't commit to that with dd2). She had formula from day 1 also. I didn't really keep track as to when she had BM or formula or keeping a 50/50 split, she just got whatever I had ready to go in the fridge. </p> <p>I was a bit worried because my LC had drilled in my head that if I didn't pump 8x a day for 8 weeks I would never establish a milk supply but that wasn't the case for me. My body got used to pumping 3-4x a day fairly early on and I had to consciously make an effort to dry up when I was ready.</p> <p>Congratulations again !! So exciting :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/combination-feeding-from-the-beginning#post-2768792 Sun, 20 Aug 2017 03:59:38 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2768792@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Has anyone successfully done this? Like 50/50? Based on my previous pp experienced (one pumping a little while and the other trying to dry up but taking awhile to do so) I don't foresee having a super fragile supply but not sure.</p> <p>Any advice for starting out? I think I would even be ok pumping rather than nursing if it were only 50/50 anyway, but it is less convenient. </p> <p>Just trying to decide if this can be done without too much stress or if I should just commit to one or the other. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/your-tips-for-supplementing#post-2747879 Thu, 15 Jun 2017 11:58:49 +0000 krispi 2747879@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had to supplement from the beginning. For us, it was a supply/demand issue. We started supplementing the first night, because although I was feeding her constantly, she was still screaming. (I had some other medical issues from delivery that led to a long delay in her first nursing session, and I think that had a lot to do with it too.) At her first visit, the pediatrician recommended nursing first and then if she still seemed unsatisfied, offering a bottle to see how much she would take. We eventually settled into a routine where we supplemented with formula for her second feeding of the morning and her last feeding before bedtime and we nursed for all other feedings, and we kept up with that until I went back to work. </p> <p>When I went back to work, pumping made my supply decrease further, so we gradually increased the ratio of formula. Thanks to supplementing, we were able to primarily breastfeed until 4 months, and I nursed her until 6 months, when she self-weaned. I think she just wasn't getting much milk at that point.</p> <p>I probably could have pumped more or tried harder to increase my supply, but supplementing worked just fine for us, so I didn't want to add any additional stress to our routine. And I was still happy that she was getting the benefits of mostly breast milk during that time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/your-tips-for-supplementing#post-2747751 Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:59:27 +0000 maddyz 2747751@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My relationship to pumping was totally different with my second. With my first I never really pumped enough when I was at work. But LO2 has been a totally different story. I started pumping in the evenings before I went back to work to get my body used to the pump and to making extra milk and for a while i was pumping 8oz more then he was eating (he wasn't taking enough from the bottle during the day and I was making SO MUCH milk).</p> <p>Just wanted to say it might be different this time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/combination-feeding-older-baby#post-2747612 Wed, 14 Jun 2017 19:49:18 +0000 FaithFertility 2747612@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SteelerGirl: I did this with DD when she was 8 months I nursed her first thing in morning, then she had formula in a straw cup at her sitters she would not take a bottle, I nursed her when we got home and bedtime and any MOTN wakes if there were Any!<br /> On weekends I kept the same schedule<br /> It worked great for us! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/combination-feeding-older-baby#post-2747584 Wed, 14 Jun 2017 18:25:15 +0000 caterw 2747584@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did this for DD1 from 9 months to a year. I nursed in the morning, in the evening, and any time I was off. I am a crappy pumper so my supply had already dropped when I went back to work. I was able to produce enough for the times that I had her and occasionally had to supplement a bottle on my off days too. Just before a year I started transitioning from formula to WCM and kept nursing 2x/ day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/combination-feeding-older-baby#post-2747560 Wed, 14 Jun 2017 16:51:28 +0000 MrsSCB 2747560@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you plan to nurse at all in the morning or evening before and after daycare? It might be hard to keep up your supply only nursing on the weekend, but if you can do mornings and evenings, too, that could help! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/combination-feeding-older-baby#post-2747543 Wed, 14 Jun 2017 16:28:15 +0000 Pollywog 2747543@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My SIL did. She found she wasn't making enough to completely meet LOs needs on the weekend, so she needed to give bottles during the day or pump at least once at work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/combination-feeding-older-baby#post-2747508 Wed, 14 Jun 2017 15:31:38 +0000 SteelerGirl 2747508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm going to switch from EBF to combination feeding when my baby is ten months old. She will be getting formula while I am at work, but I would like to continue nursing on weekends. Has anyone had experience with this? Will my supply still be there on weekends if I'm not pumping on weekdays? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/your-tips-for-supplementing#post-2747416 Wed, 14 Jun 2017 13:55:19 +0000 littlejoy 2747416@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We supplemented with LO1. </p> <p>I think there are a few things I wish I had done differently ...</p> <p>Most of all, I didn't really see any of those "this is how big your baby's belly is at this age" graphics until I had already started giving her more formula than she probably needed. Obviously, it likely had an impact on my already low supply. </p> <p>We introduced formula sometime between weeks 1-3 (because she was losing weight). We did supplementation via an SNS for quite awhile - so my supply wouldn't take a huge hit. </p> <p>Eventually, we just moved to nursing + bottles when needed. </p> <p>I was able to BF about 90% of her needs at first, but it slowly faded until she was nearly 90% formula fed at 1 year. </p> <p>I think it's important to look at WHO standards for weight (a little lower, since it leans more towards BFing), and remember your specific child will have their own specific needs. I freaked out so much that I wasn't giving her enough (which, I wasn't - I genuinely had low supply), but I think in retrospect, she was getting too much formula. </p> <p>One last thing: our bodies tend to build more gland tissue with each pregnancy, so there's a chance your supply will be greater this time around. </p>