LOis nearly 7 months old and we've been supplementing for about a month, a few weeks after I started a new job (after being home with LO since he was born). At first it was a few oz of formula to add to his daytime bottles and now we've added in a bottle before bed. I know it is a supply demand remationship, but I feel like despite my best intentions we are giving more and more forma (4-10 oz depending on day). Part of my feels guilty and like I should be better about pumping before bed, squeezing in another session at work, etc. But at the same time I feel more relaxed and less obsessed about things which I think makes me a better parent and partner. We've barely started solids, so perhaps once he is getting more calories they way he'll need less supplement? Interested to hear other people's experiences. Did you find supplementing to be a slippery slope?
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We made it to a year, but the ratio of BM to formula changed more and more as my supply decreased....but it was intentional as I cut down on pumping sessions the closer we got to a year
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@DillonLion: you have been such an inspiration-I followed along your pumping journey and am so impressed with your dedication!
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Yes and no. E was riding below the 3rd percentile for so long, it was pretty clear that he'd be a primarily FF baby. I still nurse, though, and dare I say, I enjoy it even more without the pressure!
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I think it's always going to be a slippery slope- it naturally, for most people, will lower supply because baby eating less = you produce less. I think you have to fight/work VERY hard to go from supplementing to EBF. However, I think FF can take off a lot of stress which does help your supply. I think you need to decide what you're happiest doing and commit to that- then don't stress yourself out about it. You're doing a great job!!!!!
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@maybebaby: wow, thanks!!
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My situation is different because I was never able to EBF. You don't have a chronic low supply problem like I do if you made it this far without supplementing! All the demand in the world was not increasing my supply. With a lot of diligence, herbal supplements, lactation cookies, etc I have about 50% supply and that has been stable for several weeks now. I don't think the fact that we supplement is going to change that as long as we keep nursing regularly. But I'd say, yes, it is a probably a slippery slope in your case, only because it seems you are supplementing in place of nursing or pumping more. But that's not a bad thing! Do what works for you.
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@kjpugs: I definitely wouldn't have said this as well. But this is what I believe as well.
We started supplementing at 9 months old because my son was Failure to Thrive. He got formula for 1 week exclusively because I was on travel. Then we supplemented just while I was at work. But about 2 weeks later, he refused the bottle completely. So we ended up going back to breastfeeding and solids exclusively. We did add some formula to the breastmilk (per our doctor's orders). That went okay for a few more weeks.
I was able to do this because I just changed jobs that freed me up to go over and feed him more. I don't know what we would have done if I had stayed at my other job.
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I was so stressed out pumping at work/breast feeding during the week and almost EBF on the weekends that I wasn't enjoying being a mom. I gave up pumping at work, R gets 3 bottles of formula/frozen BM a day, and I nurse before bed.
Yes, supplementing was a slippery slope for me because I felt more guilty about not pumping enough for a long time. But I am much happier and relaxed now.
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@swedishfish: I think that is what I have realized too. It was so important to me to EBF in the beginning, but it was all consuming. I think at this point it is far more important to be a present parent and cherish the nursing relationship that we can maintain without stressing about it. So glad it is working for you!
@kjpugs: Great advice
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