https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 19:53:34 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/supplementing-support#post-2287122 Thu, 10 Sep 2015 08:25:13 +0000 Ms. RV 2287122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@charlotte: No great information-- just my personal experience. LO and I spent three nights in the hospital (because she was born not too long after midnight, so the first one didn't count). She was absolutely inconsolable her last night in the hospital. She kept wanting to nurse, but it wasn't making her happy. I ended up sending her to the nursery because I was at my wit's end. They didn't supplement her, just kept her soothed. My supply was fine once my milk came in (for one wonderful week). Colostrum wasn't enough for her that one night, but she regained all but one ounce for her birth weight by five days old. You can supplement your LO that early, but there's a reason why they give you two weeks to regain birth weight. It really stinks when they can't be soothed at that age, but I would hold out a few days.</p> <p>Oh-- did your LO latch when she was shaking her head? My LC says that's because they can't find the nipple. Mine could never find the nipple unless there was milk on it or a nipple shield. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/supplementing-support#post-2287109 Thu, 10 Sep 2015 08:17:47 +0000 ldh112 2287109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That is so hard! I'm sorry- that happened to me with my newborn but I was told it was just her attempt at cluster feeding to get my milk to come in. I didn't have another baby to compare the experience to so I just took their word for it. Is there a lactation consultant you could talk to at the hospital? Those ladies were helpful to me in assessing whether I was producing colostrum. If I recall, my milk slowly began to come in on my last day in the hospital (day 3).</p> <p>Did you bring formula with you or did they give it to you? I only ask because it wasn't offered to me. I started supplementing 2 weeks after birth due to various milk transferring issues. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/supplementing-support#post-2287024 Thu, 10 Sep 2015 06:44:24 +0000 charlotte 2287024@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can anyone help with advice for supplementing a newborn ? My first was fine with colostrum and waiting until milk came in. I had a c-sec yesterday am w/ LO2 and assumed everything would go the same as with big brother ....</p> <p>Skin to skin and first latch was great. She "nursed" for 30 min per side. Then as the day went on she seemed to get more fussy and would root but then shake her head and scream at the breast. Nothing seemed to make her happy. I tried to hand express and hospital grade pump and not a drop came out...no milk and not even colostrum. The nurses told me NBD, she's only lost 2% of her weight and bili #s are great. </p> <p>She cried pretty much all night off and on despite clean diapers, holding, nursing attempts, Etc. I just gave her an oz of formula and she burped, spit up a tiny bit, and passed out quietly and happily on my chest. Do I have my answer? I know the nurses mean well and I know her stomach is marble sized right now but do some newborns need supplementation from day 1/2??! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/supplementing-support#post-2286983 Thu, 10 Sep 2015 00:00:49 +0000 Ms. RV 2286983@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ldh112: It's funny- I prepared myself for having to 100% formula feed if I had to go back on a medication I was on prior to TTC, but I never prepared myself emotionally for having to supplement for low supply. That took a while to accept. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/supplementing-support#post-2286922 Wed, 09 Sep 2015 21:29:39 +0000 ldh112 2286922@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms. RV: I hear you on wanting to still do even just one feeding with breast milk a day. I worry that eventually my supply will tank or she will choose the bottle over breast. I'm getting better at taking it a day or week at a time, reassessing as needed :) I do feel like I can say I've tried everything and know that I gave it my best shot. My emotions still get the best of me at times - this has definitely been the hardest part of being a mom so far, for me anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/supplementing-support#post-2286885 Wed, 09 Sep 2015 21:06:09 +0000 Ms. RV 2286885@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'll join in.</p> <p>LO's age: 1 month tomorrow</p> <p>Reason for supplementing: Low supply. After only an ounce gain from 5 days old to 12 days old, did a weighed feed and found LO got one ounce after a half hour. Her latch and swallows were awesome, I just ran low.</p> <p>Are you pumping? Yes! Feeding at the breast was so stressful that she only gets formula and EBM. I just started a power pump boot camp tonight in a last ditch effort to increase supply before I go back to work.</p> <p>Work status?: On leave for two and a half more weeks.</p> <p>BFing how often?: She gets two feedings worth of EBM per day. This is all I can muster from six pumping sessions.</p> <p>Taking any supplements?: Fenugreek, Mother's Milk tea, oatmeal for breakfast every day</p> <p>How are you feeling? So much less stressed now that we went to EBM. I like knowing exactly how much she's getting with every feed. I cried nearly daily about low supply before this. I'm at peace with supplementing so long as I can maintain one feeding per day. Healthy baby and sane mommy are my top priorities. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/supplementing-support#post-2286866 Wed, 09 Sep 2015 20:23:51 +0000 Eko 2286866@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ldh112: Turns out that my LO has milk allergy and reflux issues. I ultimately quit bf'ing all together. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/supplementing-support#post-2286788 Wed, 09 Sep 2015 17:21:00 +0000 ldh112 2286788@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Eko: Did you ever figure out what feeding style works best for your baby? When I could pump some, I added it to the formula bottles without issue. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/supplementing-support#post-2286786 Wed, 09 Sep 2015 17:18:16 +0000 ldh112 2286786@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am just seeing this thread and bumping it after my recent thread. :)</p> <p>LO's Age: 11 weeks. (supplementing since 2 weeks)</p> <p>Reason for supplementing: transfer issues/disorganized suck (no lip tie/tongue tie)</p> <p>Are you pumping?: No. I have not been able to pump more than an ounce or so even with a hospital grade pump I rented. She nurses so frequently still that trying to mess with the pump just isn't worth it.</p> <p>Work status?: Taking time off until the new year.</p> <p>BFing how often?: She feeds about 7-9 times a day. I always BF before giving formula, giving 2 oz of formula after every other day time feeding (don't ask me how I came up with this regime, her weight gain has been good so I've just stuck with it)</p> <p>Taking any supplements?: I'm taking Motherlove's More Milk Plus but the LC and my midwife have not necessarily thought my supply was the issue, though I am sure her low transferring has thwarted my supply's potential. I eat oatmeal daily as well.</p> <p>How are you feeling?: Less stressed and anxious about it than at first but I still wonder daily if she is getting enough. I feel sad still at times that feeding is such an ordeal and that BF didn't evolve into something easier for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/supplementing-support#post-2223922 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 13:43:01 +0000 Eko 2223922@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm glad that this got bumped! LO is 4 weeks and I started supplementing once LO was a week old due to low supply. I exclusively pump. While pumping is not fun I like the freedoms it provides. LO gets 50/50 formula and milk. </p> <p>Question: how do you supplement in the formula? I have been giving LO straight breastmilk bottles at night and formula during the day. I'm starting to think that the switching is upsetting his belly and wonder if it makes sense to just mix both at every bottle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/supplementing-support#post-2223892 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 13:12:16 +0000 lady grey 2223892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@macintosh: I had to suppliment with my LO too. If you think you have insufficient glandular tissue you should look into taking Goats Rue. I didn't find out about it until after we were done bfing but will def take it with my next baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/supplementing-support#post-2223882 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 13:01:51 +0000 daniellemybelle 2223882@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not supplementing anymore but I'll join in because when this was me, I was always so interested to hear what other moms did and what worked for them.</p> <p>LO's Age: We supplemented from 5 days to 12 months.</p> <p>Reason for supplementing: Chronic, unexplained low supply from the start. The most LO ever transferred during a weigh-feed-weigh was 2.5 ounces (that was really great for me) and the most I could ever pump in a sitting was about the same.</p> <p>Are you pumping?: For several weeks, I pumped after every nursing session. I also replaced one nursing session with pumping to "measure my output" on not-so-great advice from a LC. Eventually I gave up pumping for my sanity- if I had to be away from LO she would have formula. I only pumped if I was away from her for like 12 hours or more.</p> <p>Work status?: I SAH until 7 months (I guess it was an extended maternity leave) and then I WAH part-time.</p> <p>BFing how often?: LO is 20.5 months now so she is weaned but we made it to 19 months nursing :)</p> <p>Taking any supplements?: I tried everything! EVERYTHING! What worked the best for me was adequate water, plenty of sleep and calories (hard to come by!), and lactation cookies or lactation cookie ingredients (brewer's yeast, flax seed, almond milk) in oatmeal. Supplements never really helped and I actually think fenugreek suppressed my supply.</p> <p>How are you feeling?: I struggled so much emotionally with BFing but once we hit the 12 month mark and we could switch to WCM and nursing was about comfort rather than sustenance, it got so much better! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/supplementing-support#post-2223854 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 12:41:55 +0000 snowjewelz 2223854@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oo I didn't see this till now! I'm joining!</p> <p>LO's Age: 7 mo this Sat </p> <p>Reason for supplementing: Low supply/don't have time to pump as often due to busy season at work </p> <p>Are you pumping?: Yes... I used to pump 3x at work, and when I was battling low supply I'd pump another 1-2x at home! Now I only pump 2x at work </p> <p>Work status?: WOH</p> <p>BFing how often?: She eats twice MOTN, I nurse her before work, and nurse her again after work, before bed </p> <p>Taking any supplements?: No, just trying to eat oatmeal, drink water, etc </p> <p>How are you feeling?: I was soo determined to EBF till 6 mo so I did whatever I had to do to pump more before then. After she turned 6 mo, with busy season at work, I felt more at peace supplementing with formula so I don't have to stress out pumping enough for her and it's been such a stress relief! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-woh-how-long-did-you-nurse/page/2#post-2212227 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 12:25:37 +0000 mfa_lady 2212227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sungirl: That's so awesome! Cool to hear that it was different for you with different kids (and, it sounds like, slightly different techniques). You guys are giving me hope that I CAN keep it up for longer, and reminding me that no matter what, it's going to be great for her. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-woh-how-long-did-you-nurse/page/2#post-2212187 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 11:56:56 +0000 sungirl 2212187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Voted twice since different with each kid. DS1 - started supplementing at 6 months and made it 9 mos before totally switching to formula. DS2 - made it a year, didn't supplement, but started introducing WCM at 11 months. Wanted to keep nursing morning and night but after quitting pumping at one year I pretty much dried up.</p> <p>I hated pumping so I never really pumped at home. When I cut back to pumping twice a day at work with DS1 that's when I needed to supplement. With DS2 I kept pumping 3x per day in order to keep up and thankfully was able to build a decent freezer stash early on that I could pull from starting at around 9 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-woh-how-long-did-you-nurse/page/2#post-2212176 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 11:50:36 +0000 mfa_lady 2212176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mamabolt: So amazing!</p> <p>@Pirouette: OMG. I think I would lose it if my LO started reverse cycling! </p> <p>@maybebaby: Love hearing this. Thanks for sharing!</p> <p>@BabyTsMom: Way to go, mama! </p> <p>@sometimesshesings: Awesome job. Thank you!</p> <p>@NovBaby1112: That's awesome. Good for you!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-woh-how-long-did-you-nurse/page/2#post-2212150 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 11:29:20 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 2212150@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@junebugsmama: That's awesome! Yes, I agree, it's so much better to see the actual output. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-woh-how-long-did-you-nurse/page/2#post-2211792 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 06:31:03 +0000 NovBaby1112 2211792@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I nursed until 10.5 months and then she weaned on her own. Pumped for about another month after that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-woh-how-long-did-you-nurse/page/2#post-2211737 Wed, 17 Jun 2015 23:46:56 +0000 sometimesshesings 2211737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I nursed until 27 months and pumped until 16 months. But we dipped into the freezer stash pretty early and started supplementing with cow's milk around 12 months.</p> <p>I took way more breaks at work back when I was pumping, so I never minded it much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-woh-how-long-did-you-nurse/page/2#post-2211713 Wed, 17 Jun 2015 22:04:35 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2211713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BabyBoecksMom: I love that advice about not hating the pump. It's so simple but it's like a light bulb went off for me. My baby is 6m and I just went back to work a few weeks ago. So far pumping is going great, especially because my output is still much higher than my silly bottle challenged baby can drink. I know it won't last, because as he gets older he'll nurse less as he eats maybe, plus bottles will probably click for him! </p> <p>Anyways, I've been having that attitude like argh I hate pumping what a drag but I think it's just I feel like that's what everyone says! It truly isn't that bad and I get way more breaks in my busy shift than normally! Plus I feel amazing to be able to produce the bottles and see it so tangibly. It's like super powers! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-woh-how-long-did-you-nurse/page/2#post-2211676 Wed, 17 Jun 2015 21:05:09 +0000 BabyTsMom 2211676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I WOH part-time, and nursed until 6 months. Until then, we didn't supplement. However, LO self-weaned at 6 months and frankly I was having a hard time pumping while at work due to a very unpredictable schedule, so I think it was perfect timing for him to self-wean. I didn't pump after he weaned for said erratic work schedule. No regrets whatsoever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-woh-how-long-did-you-nurse/page/2#post-2211664 Wed, 17 Jun 2015 20:53:54 +0000 maybebaby 2211664@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>15.5 mo and I had to start supplementing at 6 months. It was a hard decision but ultimately best for us and I was so glad we were able to keep up nursing! I stopped pumping at a year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-woh-how-long-did-you-nurse/page/2#post-2211638 Wed, 17 Jun 2015 20:30:44 +0000 Pirouette 2211638@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just weaned at 18 months! :grin: Stopped pumping by 12 months, and had no supply issues. I did have an oversupply though, and lo stopped drinking the pumped milk so she started reverse cycling at 6 months. Which basically meant there was no reason to pump after 6 months but I did it once a day anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-woh-how-long-did-you-nurse/page/2#post-2211633 Wed, 17 Jun 2015 20:27:39 +0000 Rocker2014 2211633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mfa_lady: you're welcome! And even though she gets plenty of formula, LO LOVES to nurse! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-woh-how-long-did-you-nurse/page/2#post-2211624 Wed, 17 Jun 2015 20:18:10 +0000 mamabolt 2211624@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO is 3 next week and still nursing. I pumped until 13 months and never had to supplement. I was very lucky to have great supply. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-woh-how-long-did-you-nurse/page/2#post-2211615 Wed, 17 Jun 2015 20:05:44 +0000 mfa_lady 2211615@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Amelieisme: It is tough stuff, isn't it? I feel like pumping (and the setup + cleanup + washing + packing) is a second job! Which, I guess...it kind of is. :) Good for you for making it so long! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-woh-how-long-did-you-nurse/page/2#post-2211614 Wed, 17 Jun 2015 20:04:55 +0000 mfa_lady 2211614@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rocker2014: THANK YOU for sharing, and for saying that. I have just recently started really enjoying nursing, and I don't want to have to stop if pumping ends up not being worth it. We're nowhere close to that yet, but so great to know I can still keep it up. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-woh-how-long-did-you-nurse/page/2#post-2211613 Wed, 17 Jun 2015 20:03:48 +0000 Amelieisme 2211613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I made it to about a year with both of my children. I had to supplement my first at 6 mo and my second at 9 mo. I stopped at a year though partially because of supply and not having the will to keep on fighting! It is hard work! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-woh-how-long-did-you-nurse/page/2#post-2211607 Wed, 17 Jun 2015 19:59:34 +0000 Rocker2014 2211607@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mfa_lady: LO is 8 mos today, and we've been supplementing with formula since I went back to work at 12 weeks. It isn't possible for me to pump at my job, so LO gets formula during the day and nurses at home in the mornings and at night. We've been doing this schedule for 5 mos now, and it works wonderfully for us. No stress about output, but she still gets breastmilk daily. Supplementing does not have to mean the end of a great breastfeeding relationship! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-woh-how-long-did-you-nurse/page/2#post-2211589 Wed, 17 Jun 2015 19:41:41 +0000 mfa_lady 2211589@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artsyfartsy: Haha! My DD is 5.5 months old and I refuse to switch her from the Medela slow-flow nipples. I know she COULD eat so much faster, but I don't want to get her used to that! LOL. Good for you for getting to 9 months! </p>