https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 24 May 2026 17:44:34 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-to-the-end-or-supplement#post-1271308 Tue, 10 Dec 2013 10:09:04 +0000 Mrs D 1271308@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Revel: @hilsy85: @bhbee: Thanks ladies, its encouraging to hear what that others share my opinion!</p> <p>@bhbee: this is exactly what I was thinking....some has to be better than none. So better to give some for longer!</p> <p>I do plan to nurse her morning and night until I cant - I dont foresee changing that unless I have to! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-to-the-end-or-supplement#post-1271247 Tue, 10 Dec 2013 09:35:58 +0000 bhbee 1271247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>agreed with all the PP - our birth class teacher, who was also a breastfeeding support leader, told us something like one BM feeding a day was enough to provide immunological benefits and such </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-to-the-end-or-supplement#post-1271206 Tue, 10 Dec 2013 09:16:32 +0000 hilsy85 1271206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I woudl also start supplementing now, I'd rather have my LO get some breastmilk for longer than exclusively breastmilk for a shorter time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-to-the-end-or-supplement#post-1271182 Tue, 10 Dec 2013 09:04:21 +0000 Revel 1271182@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've heard at least that baby reaps the benefits from getting some breastmilk, that it's not an all or nothing sort of thing, so in your situation I would do what I could to prolong providing some breastmilk - which sounds like it's maybe supplementing now and then dropping to one pump in January? The pump before bed is also a good plan to keep up your supply, particularly since your LO STTN. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-to-the-end-or-supplement#post-1271153 Tue, 10 Dec 2013 08:49:29 +0000 Mrs D 1271153@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: yes, that would be an option. I also thought about just committing to one bottle of formula a day to get her used to it.</p> <p>I am planning to keep up 2 sessions at work as long as I can but unfortunately the nature of my job (public accounting) in January is just brutal and I worry about being able to keep it up. She is a great sleeper, currently sleeping from 8:30-6:30, as such I have been getting up at 5am to get in an extra session. I then nurse her when she wakes and two times after work. If I do cut the second work pumping session I can always add a session at 10pm before going to bed. And yes, she takes three bottles while I am at work! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-to-the-end-or-supplement#post-1271113 Tue, 10 Dec 2013 08:34:21 +0000 regberadaisy 1271113@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've always had a low supply so we supplemented from the start. But I looked as formula as a back up. We kept a tub of powdered at daycare and they knew that if we didn't send enough bm that day to give formula as the last bottle of the day. </p> <p>Is that an option for you? That way you are less stressed about pumping enough. Because let's face it; stress = less output.<br /> But I would try to keep up at least 2 pump sessions a day. Only because at that age she is still eating more than 2x while you're away from her. So if you take it down to 1x your supply might take a hit. Is she a good sleeper? Is pumping after she goes to bed an option? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-to-the-end-or-supplement#post-1271091 Tue, 10 Dec 2013 08:22:53 +0000 Mrs D 1271091@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septca: This is exactly what I was thinking...might as well start introducing it now and get the ball rolling. The immunities were also why I was thinking if she could get "some" BM for as long as possible its gotta be better than getting ONLY BM for a shorter period! Thanks for your opinions - its good to know someone else thinks of it like me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-to-the-end-or-supplement#post-1271081 Tue, 10 Dec 2013 08:16:44 +0000 septca 1271081@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you should start supplementing now if you know you will have to down the line. I know of many baby who rejected formula when it was introduced late in the BFing game (like, 7+ months old) because they were so used to BM. You might as well get your baby used to a bit of formula now to (1) alleviate the stress pumping is putting on you, and (2) set your baby up for supplementing down the line. I EBF my 10.5 mo the cost of my sanity some days. Next baby, I plan to introduce a bottle of formula every now and again so they will take it if I need to supplement (I am *not* repeating the pumping stress I have had with DD). </p> <p>In terms of benefits, I think the longer you can give some BM, the better. Even if you aren't EBFing, your baby will be getting immunities and BM goodness from your milk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ebf-to-the-end-or-supplement#post-1271071 Tue, 10 Dec 2013 08:08:49 +0000 Mrs D 1271071@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So...K is 3.5 months old and I am now back to work. I know I will be able to make it until K is 4 months old EBF. I am very concerned that in January (due to lack of time at work and stress) I am going to struggle to keep up with her demands. I have approximately a 70oz freezer stash.</p> <p>My question is...should I stick with breastmilk only until my stash runs out and I am unable to keep up then start supplementing? Or should I start supplementing now? I feel like if I started supplementing immediately (i.e. January 2) I may be able to make it longer with some breastmilk then if I try to go 100%.</p> <p>It may sound silly but I can see getting so stressed at work with trying to get in two sessions (which I am doing now and is already difficult) whereas if I drop to one session I may be all around more comfortable/enjoyable and able to stick with it for longer?</p> <p>I have been trying to and see if there is research regarding the benefits of, for example, EBF for 5 months or EBF for 4 months plus 3 months of 50/50?...So far I have not had luck in finding anything. </p> <p>Wondering if any other Bee's have looked into it! </p>