https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 24 Apr 2026 01:21:29 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/switching-to-formula-and-it-is-breaking-my-heart#post-262235 Fri, 17 Aug 2012 09:50:27 +0000 purrpletulips 262235@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: glad that you were able to talk with your pediatrician and are feeling better. I had to supplement with formula because I wasn't able to pump enough for DD and it killed me emotionally until I realized that not everyone has the luxury of a long maternity leave (especially here in the US) and although DD was dropping/holding steady at a low weight percentage she was physically and developmentally on track and growing like a week (by height-one inch each month for pretty much her first year; she takes after daddy, tall and lean).</p> <p>I wonder if his take on being anti-bottle is somewhat influenced by the long maternity leave that Canadians get? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/switching-to-formula-and-it-is-breaking-my-heart#post-262229 Fri, 17 Aug 2012 09:46:01 +0000 irene 262229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I think I am going to hold off on formula for a while.... I'll still buy some just in case. Our pediatrician also said I need to make myself eat in order to produce good quality milk, even though I may not be hungry. (She's a breastfeeding mom too) I should try doing that.</p> <p>I also asked about adding olive oil to LO's purees (!) and she is OK with it. She said it may or may not help with his weight, but that's ok to try.</p> <p>And to be honest, I think it is more my husband's issue / worry now. He wants to make sure his son is not "below average" / small when he grows up. His worries stresses me out and he's the one who wants me to wean LO off breastmilk and do formula because formula make chunkier babies.. And since it is his son too I can't ignore him. Sigh. I bet if my LO were a girl, he would have been fine with it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/switching-to-formula-and-it-is-breaking-my-heart#post-262224 Fri, 17 Aug 2012 09:41:52 +0000 irene 262224@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you all ! This really helps me emotionally...</p> <p>We went to the pediatrician today and get the weigh-in again. He makes some progress between 6-6.5 months. It seems to still track along the "new low" he is at. Doctor is not concerned. I think it is me and my husband who worries more.</p> <p>I asked about formula and she explained to us that formula and breastmilk contains the same amount of calories. And like @sweetkate said, since LO started crawling at 5.5 months, he's burning more calories. She even showed us her own baby's chart and how it also slowed when he starts crawling. </p> <p>I also asked about the chart they used, and they do use the CDC chart. She pulled out the WHO chart and say his weight closer to the 50%.</p> <p>@chopsuey119: @pastemoo: @LivsMama: @HeatherlovesKenny: @blackbird: @mrsjazz: Sorry I misled you guys - it was our takeaway based on the chapter we read on his book, not Dr. Newman's "advice" on my case. Like @prettylizy: and @MsMini said, Dr. Newman is a well-known expert in the breastfeeding area. Actually La Leche League, Kellymom, IBCLC lactation consultants all would refer to Dr. Newman's researches and studies. He has articles on KellyMom and many Kellymom articles referenced and credited his publications. He was nice enough to even respond back and send me a chapter of his book which he thinks is / could be relevant to my situation. </p> <p>But I have to say though..... if La Leche are "breastfeeding nazis" (you know how they insisted breast is best and how everyone is able to breastfeed and no mom should do formula...etc.), Dr. Newman is "breastfeeding Hitler" :-) He doesn't even think babies should be given bottles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/switching-to-formula-and-it-is-breaking-my-heart#post-261191 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 17:53:37 +0000 brownie 261191@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think, you have a lot of GREAT advice from the other posters.</p> <p> I just wanted to add some of my personal story. My son is Failure To Thrive. He dropped from the 50th percentile to 0.5 percentile on the CDC chart (so a formula fed chart). He also dropped drastically on the WHO chart at the time (he was still on that chart though). I wouldn't have worried EXCEPT that he had green stools and seemed to me to be in pain. I went back to work when he was 8 weeks old and pumped and nursed him. I made a point to nurse every day at lunch. I feel we had a supply problem at about 6 months BUT I have increased my supply since then (like at 12 months). I didn't feel like he was actually getting nutrients from my milk. Now he has the little buddha belly and is very healthy.</p> <p>For us, we did formula for about 4 weeks to supplement the breastmilk. The formula reformulated his gut and he has been digesting better. But, he ultimately started refusing formula and eventually all bottles. So, we went back to 100% breastmilk (and solids). He has gained 1 pound every month from 11 months - 15 months old. That is on solids and breastmilk only. He also reverse cycles, this means we co-sleep and nurse throughout the night. I am not sure I personally could work full time and feed him enough without that. We started that at 6 months old.</p> <p>Moral of my story: you can choose formula, breastmilk or a combination for what works best for your family. A breastfed baby that was low weight can rebound back. There are options for you in whatever area you want to go through. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/switching-to-formula-and-it-is-breaking-my-heart#post-261172 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 17:30:55 +0000 erwoo 261172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>MY LO is 4.5 months and he's always distracted if I don't find a "quiet" place to nurse him or cover him in public (not that I would openly nurse - haha!). Also, when they start solids they may drink a little less milk as well. I wouldn't completely stop based on that doctor's advice. Do what makes you feel comfortable and less stressful. You can do both. I know many moms who do. Some moms only nurse morning and night and formula throughout the day. Some breast milk is better than nothing. Also, you can always talk to your son's pediatrician to see what his/her thoughts are. A lactation consultant can also help with how to efficiently nurse/pump. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/switching-to-formula-and-it-is-breaking-my-heart#post-261139 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 17:00:19 +0000 prettylizy 261139@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsMini: thank you!!! I was just going to chime in and stand up for Dr. Newman. He is brilliant as are his books and videos. I'm sure the book said things like, nurse as often as you can, spend time skin to skin, allow the baby to eat whenever s/he wants to keep your supply up, etc. </p> <p>To the OP, if you love nursing, just stick with it. Your body will make milk, the more you pump and nurse the more it makes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/switching-to-formula-and-it-is-breaking-my-heart#post-261093 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 16:05:31 +0000 MsMini 261093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Um, I don't think that Dr Newman actually said any of this directly to her, he emailed her a chapter of his book and this is how the OP interpreted that. Dr Newman is actually a very well respected expert in breastfeeding in Canada. Just because he is a man and his book makes recommendations that some people don't agree with doesn't make him stupid.</p> <p>He doles out a ton of advice, via email for free, and lots of people have been helped by his advice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/switching-to-formula-and-it-is-breaking-my-heart#post-260944 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 14:31:18 +0000 mrstilly 260944@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ughl! I feel for you, I really do! I had to switch to formula at 7 months due to no supply, and we had a few issues before then, so I can relate to what you are going through. </p> <p>First, what growth chart is your Dr. using? Like pps said, it makes a difference. On the CDC chart (standard for formula) DS was 98% until 3 months then dropped to under 60%. But on the WHO chart (World Health Organization for breastfed babies) DS was still above 95%. The growth of breastfed babies will slow a bit compared with formula fed babies, but this is not bad and doesn't mean they aren't getting enough or are failing to thrive. </p> <p>Second, no doctor can tell you what is right for your family, regarding when to return to work or pumping versus nursing. </p> <p>When I was pumping, there would be times I had to wait 10-15 minutes for a letdown, but then the milk poured out. Sometimes it takes a while. Usually there is an excess of milk in the morning, so that might be a good time to get an extra pumping session in. I would pump before feeding DS, then again after DS nursed until he was full. Also, have you tried playing a video of LO (with sound) while you start pumping? Or looking at pictures? It can stimulate a letdown faster than pumping alone. </p> <p>Formula is not bad, but if you prefer breastmilk, then you should be able to continue. Even if you do end up supplementing, though I don't see anything in your post that indicates you need to right away. </p> <p>If you are working from home, the best thing for right now might be to have your nanny bring LO to you to nurse during the work day if you don't feel like you are pumping enough. Also you could see if there is a place you can borrow or rent a baby weight scale so you can measure before/after nursing sessions to compare how much he eats nursing with how much he's getting via bottle. </p> <p>I have had amazing luck with International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) in my area. They have been the most knowledgeable and helpful over those who have just had some training, but aren't board certified. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/switching-to-formula-and-it-is-breaking-my-heart#post-260636 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 11:10:49 +0000 pastemoo 260636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LivsMama: Those comments really irked me, too.<br /> Only supplement with formula if YOU want to. Actually formula doesn't necessarily have more calories than breastmilk, so if you LIKE nursing you should stick with it. And consider solids (or cutting back on solids if LO eats a lot of solids).<br /> See @regberadaisy: --she has been working and is doing great!<br /> Good luck with the LC. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/switching-to-formula-and-it-is-breaking-my-heart#post-260621 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 11:00:55 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 260621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: I know it's heartbreaking to even think about adding formula when you're nursing. You don't need to do only one or the other - I think a combination of it would be perfect. I work outside of the home, so I don't have the option of nursing during the day. But I pump as much as I can while I'm away, and then supplement the rest w/ formula (if I can't pump enough). On the weekends, I nurse her so I don't usually have to supplement.</p> <p>Oh, and I went back to work at 2.5 months so don't feel guilty for going back at 3 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/switching-to-formula-and-it-is-breaking-my-heart#post-260618 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 11:00:25 +0000 mamimami 260618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Some breast milk is better than none at all. If you need to supplement, do it. But, I also don't know that it has to be an all or none decision. Maybe you can feed him by the breast at least once during your workday?</p> <p>I wouldn't discount any of the doctor's advice, but it's mostly hindsight which is not that helpful for you at this point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/switching-to-formula-and-it-is-breaking-my-heart#post-260611 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 10:57:42 +0000 regberadaisy 260611@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Like all the other ladies I'm very skeptical of his "expert" opinion. Not even the fact that he's a male but how can he make all these assumptions without seeing you or your baby or seeing you nurse?? All this via email?</p> <p>And I agree with everything everyone said above about starting purees, and the percentile charts, going back to work, etc.</p> <p>I've been back at work since 6 weeks and M has been bottlefed during the day and I nurse exclusively when I'm with her in the mornings, evenings, overnight and weekends. Is your LO being fed every 2 hours by bottle? When I'm with M on the weekends we nurse probably almost every 1 - 1 1/2hr just because she tends to fall asleep or gets distracted too.</p> <p>And I DEFINITELY agree that it does NOT have to be all or nothing!! M has been supplemented with formula from day one because I simply do not produce enough for her! Now she probably gets 2-3oz of formula 4-5 days out of the week.</p> <p>If you think your supply is an issue have you tried increasing it? Drinking more water, taking supplements, pumping more often etc. I recently added a pump session (along with supplements) after she goes to bed and with that session I am able to provide close to what she intakes during daycare!</p> <p>Also, if you browse the boards you will see many many posts with your similar concern with EBF babies. Moms concerned that their LOs weight gain percentage has dropped along with percentiles, etc.</p> <p>Also, there are plenty of ladies on here who pump exclusively and their babies are thriving!</p> <p>I would not make any drastic changes until you've seen an LC in person and talked to your ped.</p> <p>HUGS I hope you find a solution that works for you &amp; Baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/switching-to-formula-and-it-is-breaking-my-heart#post-260610 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 10:57:25 +0000 mediagirl 260610@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That doctor, I would give him a piece of my mind. If you LOVE breastfeeding, why not continue and supplement with formula? There is absolutely nothing wrong with formula and that way you get to continue the bonding time with breastfeeding and add in formula to make sure he is gaining weight. We did it and it worked great. Good luck to you! I hope the LC is nicer than that doctor.....</p> <p>You just need to do what is right for you and your family and make sure your son is getting the nutrients he needs. What has happened in the past doesn't matter. What matters now is just to make sure he's getting what he needs to grow up strong and healthy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/switching-to-formula-and-it-is-breaking-my-heart#post-260600 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 10:51:35 +0000 KT326 260600@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is he moving around yet? Either crawling or scooting or rolling? If he is doing any of those he is burning calories faster and won't gain as much. I remember reading that breastfed babies gain weight at a slower rate once they hit a certain age. And its okay! </p> <p>You need to do what is best for you. As long as mama is happy then baby is happy. When I went back to work I couldn't pump what my son would eat at daycare. So he gets two bottles of breast milk and two bottles of formula. He still nurses whenever he is with me. You can do both! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/switching-to-formula-and-it-is-breaking-my-heart#post-260598 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 10:50:56 +0000 mrsjazz 260598@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: I don't care how much of an "expert" that doctor is--should and shouldn't don't really apply here. You went back to work because that's what was best for you and your family. Plenty of women, like myself, go back to work and pump and have no problems. That's too much guilt! If you're baby is having problems with weight and you need to supplement with formula, you can still breastfeed part of the time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/switching-to-formula-and-it-is-breaking-my-heart#post-260594 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 10:47:41 +0000 LivsMama 260594@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>that doctors comments really irked me. "we shouldn't have put him on a schedule, and I shouldn't have returned to work by 3 months, and I should have exclusively breastfed him instead of pumping and feeding bottles during daytime " That is not his business. Some babies need a schedule. He didnt know whether or not you HAD to return to work. And giving bottles alleviates stress on the mom at times. I just think they were unrealistic and insensitive.</p> <p>anwyays, I would keep nursing and introduce solids if you havent yet. And like pps said, there is no reason to go one route versus the other. You can still nurse and just supplement with formula. Is your pedi concerned with his weight gain? If hes not, keep at what you are doing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/switching-to-formula-and-it-is-breaking-my-heart#post-260592 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 10:46:31 +0000 blackbird 260592@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Psh, telling a woman she shouldn't have gone back to work when she did....sensitive doc, eh? Good luck with the lactation consultant! </p> <p>At 6 months, your baby might just need some real food (purees) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/switching-to-formula-and-it-is-breaking-my-heart#post-260589 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 10:44:51 +0000 T.H.O.U. 260589@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know its hard but formula is food and if he needs more food, then give it to him! </p> <p>I was so big on EBFing but once LO has started solids, I have realized forumla isn't so bad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/switching-to-formula-and-it-is-breaking-my-heart#post-260581 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 10:35:03 +0000 HLK208 260581@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: DS was BF and at 6 months he was also in the 25% for weight. But I also supplemented with formula 2 times a week since I'd worry about how much milk he was getting from me. Could you try doing a combination of both since you enjoy nursing? If you have to fully switch to formula, don't feel bad. Today's formula is so much more advanced and more similar to breast milk than it use to be! Do what you feel is best!</p> <p>@chopsuey119: "That doctor's a man. I wonder how much of a breast feeding expert he really is?" Haha I thought the same thing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/switching-to-formula-and-it-is-breaking-my-heart#post-260579 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 10:33:35 +0000 pastemoo 260579@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also I was concerned about the fat percent of my milk (it changes)--babies do well on fattier and less fatty milk--their weight gain is only correlated toVOLUME of milk and not to fat percent. Yay!<br /> <a href="http://kellymom.com/nutrition/milk/change-milkfat/" rel="nofollow">http://kellymom.com/nutrition/milk/change-milkfat/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/switching-to-formula-and-it-is-breaking-my-heart#post-260578 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 10:31:25 +0000 pastemoo 260578@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't switch unless breastfeeding is hurting you. Check out the difference in WHO (breastfed) baby and CDC (formula fed) baby growth charts.<br /> <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/who_charts.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/who_charts.htm</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/switching-to-formula-and-it-is-breaking-my-heart#post-260573 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 10:24:49 +0000 Maysprout 260573@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You don't have to do one or the other, lots of women supplement with formula while still breastfeeding. Also is your LO eating any purees or solids? 6 months is a good time to start increasing their solids intake, avacados are a great source of healthy calories. My LO dropped a little bit but she is ahead physically so by 6 months she was crawling around and losing her baby fat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/switching-to-formula-and-it-is-breaking-my-heart#post-260567 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 10:17:27 +0000 chopsuey 260567@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That doctor's a man. I wonder how much of a breast feeding expert he really is? -.-<br /> There are tons of women who return to work and successfully pump and nourish their babies..<br /> I think it's good that you contacted a lactation consultant and your pediatrician.<br /> If you do go the formula route, don't feel guilty about it! You nursed for 6 months! There's nothing wron with formula.<br /> Keep us posted on how things go! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/switching-to-formula-and-it-is-breaking-my-heart#post-260552 Thu, 16 Aug 2012 10:06:46 +0000 irene 260552@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO is exclusively breastfed, and my milk production has been good/adequate. He gains well in the first 3 months (75-90%), then I don't know what happened he dropped to 25-50% (closer to 25%) on the 6 month check-up. He's 6.5 months now and he is still not making a lot of progress (we have a scale at home).</p> <p>We did have quite a few hiccups during the process. He had a few episodes of nursing strikes (which usually lasted 1-4 days), then I am not sure why, but there are a few times I wasn't able to pump even though there was milk in my boobs, as if my letdown is semi-broken. I know stress could cause it but there were some times that I wasn't even stressed and milk still wouldn't come out.</p> <p>We have been quite concerned about his poor weight gain. I emailed Dr. Jack Newman (breastfeeding expert / pediatrician) in Canada about it and he sent me a chapter on his book talking about it. Our take away is, we shouldn't have put him on a schedule (training him not to cry when hungry), and I shouldn't have returned to work by 3 months (Canadians get 1 year maternity leave!), and I should have exclusively breastfed him instead of pumping and feeding bottles during daytime (I am guessing he would be able to get more hind milk directly from me rather than getting from a pump). Then his change of behavior also plays into it (my LO would get very distracted when nursing, popping off and looking around when he still could be hungry).</p> <p>Husband and I had a talk last night, and he thinks either I need to nurse him exclusively (I work at home and a nanny comes to our home), or we should be supplementing or switching to formula completely so that he continues to grow instead of stalling. </p> <p>It really breaks my heart because I enjoyed breastfeeding, and it is not like I don't have enough milk. It is just that somehow my milk is not good /fatty enough. I cried just now as I was pumping. I always thought we'll wean when he's ready, I never thought we'd stop breastfeeding like this.</p> <p>I have called the lactation consultant at the hospital and have also made appt with pediatrician tomorrow to see what she thinks.</p> <p>What do you think? Did similar things happen to you? Did your LO have a good weight gain in the first 2-3 months, then drop drastically in percentage? </p>