https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 05 Jun 2026 10:28:59 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dont-know-if-i-can-continue-ebfing-need-some-support#post-291257 Tue, 11 Sep 2012 18:44:28 +0000 mediagirl 291257@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Shimmer: A friend of mine had twins. She had the same struggles. She EP'ed after 3 months but she fed the twins a big bottle of formula before bed. She swore it helped them sleep better and they are now happy and healthy 4 year olds. They got breastmilk at every other feeding. If she didn't pump enough, they got a formula bottle. IT IS NOT A BAD THING!</p> <p>You're doing a great job. Keep it up Mama!! Supplementing is a good thing if it helps your stress level go down some.</p> <p>ETA: I see others made the same suggestion. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dont-know-if-i-can-continue-ebfing-need-some-support#post-291239 Tue, 11 Sep 2012 17:56:15 +0000 IcebergMom 291239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love the idea of formula bottle at night to keep those babes asleep longer. @Mrs. Bee is a genius! </p> <p>Look at this as a positive thing! Formula exists to help Moms and you just need a little help right now. :) It's not a big deal AT ALL! Don't feel guilty. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dont-know-if-i-can-continue-ebfing-need-some-support#post-291237 Tue, 11 Sep 2012 17:54:03 +0000 Shimmer 291237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you, everyone! Today is a slightly better day, but we're still planning to start a formula bottle tonight... we just have to choose which feeding we'll be doing. </p> <p>I ordered some Fenugreek from Amazon and I'm working hard to keep myself in tip top shape with staying hydrated and rested. DH is fully on board and has been trying to keep the boys at bay so I can get some rest.</p> <p>I'm hoping that the formula bottle will be temporary until I get my supply to increase. If it isn't, then so be it, right? Hopefully I can keep this positive outlook on it tonight when DH is giving them their bottle. I'm pretty sure I'm going to cry anyway! </p> <p>@Mrs. Bee: I'm glad to hear what your pediatrician said. My pediatrician just says "well breast is obviously best but give formula if you have to." The LC that I saw is obviously against formula, so that's not helpful at this point since I already feel guilty enough! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dont-know-if-i-can-continue-ebfing-need-some-support#post-290667 Tue, 11 Sep 2012 09:35:35 +0000 blackbird 290667@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think it is a big deal at all to supplement at night! They are still getting breast milk and a less stressed out mama will lead to more milk anyways. Forcing yourself to EBF may cause more harm than good at this point, considering you are dreading it so much. It totally doesn't have to be all or nothing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dont-know-if-i-can-continue-ebfing-need-some-support#post-290655 Tue, 11 Sep 2012 09:28:53 +0000 calsmom 290655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Bee: Great advice!</p> <p>You are a rockstar. Whatever you decide to do, you are doing what is best for your babies and yourself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dont-know-if-i-can-continue-ebfing-need-some-support#post-290637 Tue, 11 Sep 2012 09:18:45 +0000 Mrs. Bee 290637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My supply wasn't fully established until the 2+ month mark, so I think it'll get better! These are my tips:</p> <p>1) start taking supplements to boost your milk supply like more milk plus, fenugreek, mother's milk tea</p> <p>2) If your kids will take just formula - great! I would do the bedtime bottle with formula because it takes longer to digest, so they may sleep longer on formula than breastmilk.</p> <p>3) If they don't take to formula, mix it with breastmilk.</p> <p>4) Even if they only get two feedings of breastmilk a day, they are still getting most of the benefits. That's what my pediatrician told me, and that made me feel so much better! It doesn't have to be all or nothing!</p> <p>Good luck! you're doing great!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dont-know-if-i-can-continue-ebfing-need-some-support#post-290625 Tue, 11 Sep 2012 09:10:10 +0000 cvbee 290625@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I found the one month mark to be the worst...I think I looked back into my log and had to feed my *one* baby 14 times in a 24 hour period, which happened to be Mother's Day. And he was a slow eater! No wonder you would feel overwhelmed with double that!</p> <p>My support is this: a month after Mother's Day, he was only eating about 8 times per 24 hours. He was so predictable, plus he ate faster. It was much much easier and I love BFing now: it's always ready and easy to serve, with no bottles to pack and wash and deal with. </p> <p>Good luck twin mama! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dont-know-if-i-can-continue-ebfing-need-some-support#post-290607 Tue, 11 Sep 2012 08:57:44 +0000 lawbee11 290607@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have any advice because I haven't even started TTC yet, but just wanted to tell you that you're a rockstar for EBF twins for a month, and don't feel guilty about supplementing! Do what you need to do to get some rest. You're doing great!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dont-know-if-i-can-continue-ebfing-need-some-support#post-290604 Tue, 11 Sep 2012 08:57:11 +0000 aprk 290604@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have any specific advice since we haven't met our LO yet, but I think it sounds like you are doing a great job and your boys are lucky to have you! </p> <p>Don't forget to breathe, and trust yourself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dont-know-if-i-can-continue-ebfing-need-some-support#post-290589 Tue, 11 Sep 2012 08:51:30 +0000 Mrsbells 290589@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Theres nothing wrong with supplementing with formula, and babies still always want to nurse because its comforting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dont-know-if-i-can-continue-ebfing-need-some-support#post-290552 Tue, 11 Sep 2012 08:36:13 +0000 T.H.O.U. 290552@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You are doing a great job! One thing I have learned though my year of EBFing is that a bottle of formula will not kill them. You are nursing enough that skipping one night time feeding and getting some extra sleep will not kill your supply. Many babies start STTN before they are done BFing and the supply stays up it just shifts! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dont-know-if-i-can-continue-ebfing-need-some-support#post-290440 Tue, 11 Sep 2012 05:49:58 +0000 twinmama 290440@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh love, hang in there! I wanted to ebf my babes and didnt even make it out of the hospital without supplementing. My supply just sucks. I only make about enough for one of my twins so they've both gotten a good amount of formula. And they are thriving! I was sooooo stressed about it all for weeks and have tried a lot of things to up my supply. My takeaway was...take care of yourself.... i was super haggard and not enjoying my babies as much as i should have bc of it all. We also do all formula overnight and it hasnt changed my supply really...and it helps our babes sleep longer since they will almost always take more from a bottle than my boob (since they get sleepy nursing). During the day we nurse then I top them off with formula to make sure they are full...otherwise they are hungry again in an hour. Breastfeeding twins is such hard work! Do what works, find a formula you are comfortable with if needed, and dont feel guilty! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dont-know-if-i-can-continue-ebfing-need-some-support#post-290437 Tue, 11 Sep 2012 05:38:53 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 290437@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I remember right about the one month mark, I was so exhausted, she wouldn't stop fussing and my nipples were killing me that I wanted to stop completely. And I only had one baby!! I always heard to give it 6 weeks before giving up on breastfeeding so I pushed through, but I did give one bottle of formula at night so my husband could feed her and give me a break. I'm so thankful I did that! I got the rest I needed and he had an opportunity to bond with her. </p> <p>Big hugs to you!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dont-know-if-i-can-continue-ebfing-need-some-support#post-290415 Tue, 11 Sep 2012 02:34:23 +0000 Penny Lane 290415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Aww hun, you're amazing! I cried almost constantly because of BFing for the first week and a half of LOs life... and I only had one! I've had to bottle feed with expressed milk for 3 of the last 4 weeks (his entire life!) and he does fine switching between bottle and breast. And in the end, all that matters is that they're getting fed! You are NO less of a mother if you have to use formula at all.</p> <p>It sounds like your boys are about the same age as my LO, and he's been doing the same fussy thing, feeding every 2 hours and barely sleeping at all between the feeds... It's probably just a growth spurt and will be over soon! </p> <p>You're doing amazingly! Infinite hugs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dont-know-if-i-can-continue-ebfing-need-some-support#post-290395 Tue, 11 Sep 2012 00:49:31 +0000 tequiero21 290395@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>congrats on ebf this long! i have always supplemented from the beginning. my supply didn't really kick in until a few weeks later. but even still, for a few months now (my kids are now 5 months), i supplement with 1 bottle of formula a day. it's the last feeding of the night (around 11pm). (was the beginning of the morning around 1am, but their schedule has changed a bit as they got older) that's when i pump. i used to get up again to pump within 3 hours so i had 2 sessions to build my stash. but now, i wait until my kids get up again around 5 to just breastfeed. too tiring to keep pumping. i found that supplementing just once a day helped me build a 4-5 day stash with some in the freezer. plus, i could control how much they ate. it seemed like they weren't really drinking until they got really full. so if i fed them 4 oz, at least i know they got that much and they lasted a lot longer in the evenings. (right now, i feed them around 7oz at night) plus their naps weren't good and feeding them bottle didn't make them sleep better so i definitely got more rest feeding them at night.</p> <p>i think around the one month mark, i was only getting like an oz to 2 oz a session. and i was so happy with that haha. if you keep at it, it will increase since demand is there - i now pump an average of about 8oz - ranging from like 5-14 oz depending on how long i wait.</p> <p>i say for your sanity's sake, supplement until your supply kicks in. i worked my way down to 1 bottle a night. there are some days i can use expressed milk and have no formula. then my fridge supply decreases and i just add back the formula and build up my stash.</p> <p>good luck!!! hang in there and don't beat yourself up if you have to supplement. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dont-know-if-i-can-continue-ebfing-need-some-support#post-290384 Tue, 11 Sep 2012 00:12:59 +0000 Mrs. Pen 290384@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>oh sweetie!!! </p> <p>First off - I dreaded night feedings too and I only had one baby! I think that feeling is totally normal!</p> <p>Secondly you are seriously amazing for EBF'ing twins! seriously... so incredible. You have already done an amazing thing by these boys going a month.</p> <p>Don't feel discouraged or less of a mama because its hard - it is hard on all of us!! </p> <p>There are some days I don't want to keep doing it either... I hope over the next few days it gets easier.</p> <p>Once my son hit the 6 week mark, EBF got remarkably easier. He started eating more on schedule and less sporadically. Sometimes just a little time makes a huge difference.</p> <p>But if you need to quit now - we're here for you and of course you are still an amazing mama!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dont-know-if-i-can-continue-ebfing-need-some-support#post-290380 Tue, 11 Sep 2012 00:04:30 +0000 Mrs. Train 290380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Shimmer: I cried so much over breast feeding my twins. When I accepted supplementing as an option it was a huge relief. I picked their afternoon bottle because then they would nap for 2-3 hours and it was heaven. It also gave me the break I needed. I still did the night feedings but that was also a huge stress. If you choose to supplement at night it at least gives you a chance to have someone else feed them while you sleep. </p> <p>It will not affect your supply!! You will have plenty it will just give you a well needed break! You are doing a great job! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dont-know-if-i-can-continue-ebfing-need-some-support#post-290370 Mon, 10 Sep 2012 23:50:00 +0000 mamabird 290370@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You know what's best for your babies :) Never doubt yourself, you are doing awesome! Wanting to supplement for your babies just shows how great you are, you want to be the best you can be and you need sleep for that :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dont-know-if-i-can-continue-ebfing-need-some-support#post-290368 Mon, 10 Sep 2012 23:42:19 +0000 brownie 290368@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You are amazing! My sister had twins. She had to supplement every feeding and made it to 6 months with them. So, I think an evening supplementing is fine. Also, you may need one or two just so you aren't so exhausted. It sounds like they both may be going through a growth spurt and you haven't caught up yet. You should breastfeed as much as possible to catch up but like you said, sleepy stressed mommy doesn't do well either.</p> <p>I swear that formula fixed my baby (he had gastro issues). And we are breastfeeding at 16 months old and going to go until he is 2 years old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dont-know-if-i-can-continue-ebfing-need-some-support#post-290367 Mon, 10 Sep 2012 23:39:18 +0000 lemondrop 290367@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There is nothing wrong with supplementing with formula!! I had to supplement my single boy for his first month- I can't imagine how you are handling it with two! </p> <p>It took me a while to regulate my supply, and still some months I am able to pump more, and others less. Even at 8 months, I still keep some formula on hand and occasionally give it at bedtime to help him sleep better and longer. I've had no trouble mixing formula and breastmilk, he takes both. </p> <p>There is no shame in feeding your babies however it works best for you! They are still getting the benefits of breastmilk and hopefully you can get a little break, because with twins you sure need it! Hang in there :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dont-know-if-i-can-continue-ebfing-need-some-support#post-290359 Mon, 10 Sep 2012 23:22:57 +0000 tysonja 290359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>to answer your question, our LO never had trouble switching between breast and bottle. he is hungry enough to accept both :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dont-know-if-i-can-continue-ebfing-need-some-support#post-290357 Mon, 10 Sep 2012 23:21:56 +0000 tysonja 290357@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>you are amazing already!!! I wouldn't feel bad supplementing when you need to if it will help you to continue to breastfeed them for most of the feeds :) a better rested mama will have better supply and be able to enjoy her sweet babies more! :) if they are getting mostly breastmilk at this age they are already getting all the wonderful nutritional and emotional benefits of bf'ing :) </p> <p>maybe after awhile things will settle down and you will be able to go back to EBF :) but if not, i wouldn't feel bad at all! esp with twins! </p> <p>i bf at each session but supplement with formula at each session too. working on my supply by pumping after feeds and after he sleeps, but he is already 3.5 mnths :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dont-know-if-i-can-continue-ebfing-need-some-support#post-290351 Mon, 10 Sep 2012 23:09:31 +0000 MamaCate 290351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh my gosh, I think it is amazing that you have been able to EBF two for a whole month already! Could they be going through a growth spurt? I am just wondering if it calms down in a few days if you will feel differently. </p> <p>But, to answer your question, I have not supplemented by two of my coworker new moms have and they seem to be doing fine with continuing to nurse outside of the formula and didn't have too much trouble with supply. </p> <p>I agree that having a little break would sound appealing..and happy mom, happy babies is the bottom line! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dont-know-if-i-can-continue-ebfing-need-some-support#post-290342 Mon, 10 Sep 2012 22:46:53 +0000 singingbee 290342@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i can't seem to get this to post! </p> <p>Hang in there! I think you are doing an amazing job! </p> <p>My mom always supplemented with formula and we were born 1 at a time. : )</p> <p>I think a happy mommy goes a long way. Hugs!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dont-know-if-i-can-continue-ebfing-need-some-support#post-290336 Mon, 10 Sep 2012 22:28:50 +0000 Shimmer 290336@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So my boys are almost a month old now (crazy how fast that went!). I've been EBFing with the exception of maybe 5 bottles of formula between the two of them since they were born.</p> <p>I am going out of my mind.</p> <p>The boys have been getting increasingly fussy and have been showing hunger cues every 1-2 hours. I'm exhausted. I feel like I've failed for even considering formula at night, but i worry that my supply will suffer from lack of sleep and increased stress. I've started dreading nursing at night and that makes me so sad.</p> <p>I pump once in the morning and normally get around 3 ounces. If I pump at any other time, I get next to nothing... So I don't have enough milk to supplement with a bottle of expressed milk instead of formula.</p> <p>Is it terrible that I am considering supplementing for a night feeding or two? If you do it, how do you make sure your LO still wants the breast? Did you have any issues introducing formula?</p> <p>Any other advice is welcome too. I'm so discouraged right now :( </p>