https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 04 May 2026 17:16:22 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-pumping-enough-give-bottles-or-food#post-2377240 Thu, 03 Dec 2015 16:32:08 +0000 Mrs. Pickles 2377240@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I may do 1/2 of your freezer milk and 1/2 formula so you don't burn through the freezer stash as quickly but that's just me</p> <p>and I second dc yoga bee: you're a rockstar! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-pumping-enough-give-bottles-or-food#post-2376057 Wed, 02 Dec 2015 17:53:58 +0000 dc yoga bee 2376057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I second @Adira: babies are better at emptying the breast than the bottle. When I find my supply drops when I haven't been able to pump at work I nurse more often on the weekends. It sends that signal to make more milk to my body, and it helps boost my supply back up. I would nurse more frequently when I can, or supplement with formula since it's my understanding most nutrients should come from the milk. My ped said the same thing about the milk intake must be adequate because baby is growing great. She's always super elated, and I'm like I have no idea how much milk she gets from me, and she always drinks one more bottle than I pump at work.</p> <p> I also just want to add- you rock momma. Working one job is hard. Two? You're a rockstar. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-pumping-enough-give-bottles-or-food#post-2375978 Wed, 02 Dec 2015 16:46:36 +0000 blackbird 2375978@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: But I have only one Saturday and Sunday off *for the rest of the month*. I work Sat and Sun of the 5th, 19th, and the 26th. So I imagine he'll just be hungry but unable to actually build up my supply. And i don't want him waking up extra at night b/c he's hangry</p> <p>meh. maybe i just want until it's a legit problem lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-pumping-enough-give-bottles-or-food#post-2375963 Wed, 02 Dec 2015 16:35:26 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2375963@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If your Dr is ok with his gain, I would continue to just let him nurse on weekends and just start solids as planned. The weekend is a great time to build up that "demand" with extra nursing even if there isn't a ton of milk there (plus the comfort of nursing for them). If you start supplementing with a bottle if baby isn't truly hungry or need the calories it could cause other issues. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-pumping-enough-give-bottles-or-food#post-2375951 Wed, 02 Dec 2015 16:29:53 +0000 blackbird 2375951@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DillonLion: so, we did ask our ped. And she said she felt his milk intake was adequate b/c he's growing great. And i asked about him having too many solids because he is *really* enthusiastic about them. She said to give him as much as he wants (within reason, obv). But he's quite healthy so I'm not concerned about a bottle versus solids on the weekends that I am with him all day.</p> <p> @snowjewelz: That's a good point. I work most weekends so I'm already pumping as it is. </p> <p>@gingerbebe: yeah, I was worried about that =\</p> <p>@oliviaoblivia: Yikes, that would be scary! I'm trying to forsee what may happen in a bit but I'm doing the two job thing until March/April so it's not like a "hang in there, just a few more weeks scenario" thing. </p> <p>The math is just simply telling me that 150 ounces is now 120 ounces and it's going to be gone in a couple of months and that's all there is to it, heh. </p> <p>@Adira: well, and we're talking like...1 day a week, I am with him all day. Sometimes. Sometimes i work both Saturday and Sunday, too. I don't have another day totally off with him until next weekend...I could see how hungry he is and save a formula bottle for pre-bed. I dunno. I think there's a chance he just ends up trying to nurse a LOT more frequently to make up those 4 oz and I don't think that sounds enjoyable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-pumping-enough-give-bottles-or-food#post-2375680 Wed, 02 Dec 2015 13:14:45 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2375680@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I lost milk when DD2 was 5/6 months. She refused all bottles and formula so we ended up offering a ton of solids. It wouldn't be my first choice, but she has really thrived since.<br /> I'd introduce some formula now to help him transition.<br /> DD2 had never had a bottle when we realized my milk was depleting and it's one if the things I regret, not preparing her for an emergency. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-pumping-enough-give-bottles-or-food#post-2375652 Wed, 02 Dec 2015 13:00:22 +0000 gingerbebe 2375652@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would introduce formula now, maybe 1 of his daycare bottles a day or mixed with BM, so you don't have a situation where he rejects it and then find yourself in a pickle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-pumping-enough-give-bottles-or-food#post-2375604 Wed, 02 Dec 2015 12:22:57 +0000 Adira 2375604@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When my supply has diminished, I didn't add an extra bottle on the weekends when I was with them. Babies are more efficient at emptying the breast than the pump is, so it's possible he's still getting enough when he's with you. And if he's not, he'll probably want to nurse more often.</p> <p>I wouldn't dramatically increase solids to make up the difference. Continue to supply his normal amount of milk while you are gone, but it wouldn't hurt to introduce formula now if you know you will run out of breast milk and want to make sure he'll take formula without any issues. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-pumping-enough-give-bottles-or-food#post-2375585 Wed, 02 Dec 2015 12:14:15 +0000 DillonLion 2375585@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My understanding was that babies need to get most of their nutrients from milk (breasmilk/formula/combo) until they turn 1. I would take that to mean I wouldn't fill in the gaps with solids, but instead add more milk of some variety (either breastmilk or formula). But I could be mistaken if anyone else wants to chime in. It might also be worth it to ask your pedi about this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-pumping-enough-give-bottles-or-food#post-2375581 Wed, 02 Dec 2015 12:13:08 +0000 snowjewelz 2375581@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about giving 1 bottle of formula during the week instead? Since what you pump out is not equal to what he can get out, he can probably get more out of you directly on the weekends, and you can just nurse more if you want to? I'm afraid if he's getting that bottle on the weekends, it will hurt your supply even more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/not-pumping-enough-give-bottles-or-food#post-2375554 Wed, 02 Dec 2015 12:04:45 +0000 blackbird 2375554@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So...I work two jobs now, so sometimes I am gone from 7am til 10pm or later, like 2am. I pump when I can, but it's not as much as T eats. I pump 2x/day at my regular job and halfway between shifts at the hospital Plus, he is eating a good amount of solids, so even when I'm with him and we just nurse, he eats less than he used to. So my supply has dropped </p> <p>We are still packing (3) 4 oz bottles every day for daycare, and if I'm gone that evening, he takes about 6 more ounces, for a total of 18 oz while I'm gone. I'll make anywhere from 12-14, usually. </p> <p>So my question is...do you think we should start giving a bottle on weekends now, even if I am home with him? Because I'm short about a bottle a day...and I have a freezer stash for this reason...and i guess my concern is that he will be too hungry if he just nurses. Or will constantly be trying to eat, in order to be full. Should we give a bottle? More solids? I'm not sure what to do in the meantime. My schedule is pretty random and I'm just trying to get by.</p> <p>I also wonder if we should think about introducing a bottle of formula now, versus later....because the freezer stash will probably run out in 2 months?....he's 6 months old right now </p>