Giving Formula to a Breast Fead Baby

Call the Elizabeth Blackwell Center in Columbus and talk to a lactation consultant on the phone for free. ###-###-####. Good luck!

Hi Theresa,

I was able to pump 2x at work during the day, but like the others, I was pretty busy so I gave myself a goal of 8 oz a day. I usually could pump 4 oz on each side during one pump session. If I only pumped 6, I tried to pump the last 2 oz before I left for home. (8 oz was a meal for my daughter.) Once I got home (45 minute drive) I nursed my daughter. Then, I nursed her again before bed. The daycare lady fed my daughter 1/2 breast milk and 1/2 Enfamil for her feedings.

There are foods that help build up milk supply. I know oatmeal helps, and of course water. I found I was able to EASILY produce eight ounces when I had a water bottle with me 24/7. When I didn't get my water in, my pumped milk was less. (There are other foods too, but I don't remember them.)

I hope this helps!

I was also in the same boat. Fortunately my son adjusted well to formula. I used soy formula since it is gentler on their tiny tummies. Also, a lactaction consultant told me that if you let the pump, pump for an extra minute or 2 each time you eventually will pump more milk. And don't forget to drink plenty of water!!

Hi T.,

It's so good you want to keep giving your milk to your baby!!

Contact your local La Leche League group for more tips on pumping. they also have a website. I think they also have a toll-free number 1-800-LA LECHE.

Whenever you are home, or with the baby, nurse, nurse, nurse! That will help keep up your supply. Pump at home too, as other moms have said (Wish I could still read the other responses while I am typing this--forgive me if I am repeating stuff).

Pump while you nurse and a little after as well. (takes some getting used to but possible--baby may startle when hearing the pump for the first time!).

Make sure you are getting adequate water, nutrition and rest.

Can you go back part-time for awhile? work from home a couple days a week?

If baby gets a few bottles of formula it is not the end of the world, just try your best, that's all you can do. Even if he gets only part of his nutrition from breast milk, he's still getting some of the benefits.

Congrats on your baby, and on breastfeeding--good luck with the return to work!

K. Z.

Hi T., I had the same problem. I strictly breastfed my baby and recently went back to work part time. When I pump I only get about 3 ounces at a time. So I was not able to pump enough for the days I went to work. My baby got the pumped milk then a bottle of formula while I was gone. She didn't like the formula at all. It made her spit up a lot more, and she waited until she was very hungry to take the formula bottle. Babies are smart. She knew it wasn't breastmilk. My only advice is pump as much as you can and have him eat that first. He might not like the formula, but he will take it when he gets hungry enough. You might need to try out different formulas and find out which is gentle enough for him. My baby spits up less with the soy based formula. I don't know why...maybe it is more like breasmilk or maybe its more gentle on her tummy. I only pump once also at work. I usually pump about 3-4 hours after I get to work. You will know when to pump because your breasts will start to really hurt. Good luck and I hope your baby adjusts well!

First, check in to your state laws. They just passed a law in Indiana that protects a woman's right to have a number of breaks to pump in a non-bathroom designated area and have acess to a fridge.
If you feed him before work, pump on one side while he nurses on the other. You will get the benefit of a stronger let down stimulated by babies than by pumps.
Make sure you are pumping until there is NO milk coming out, express with your hands as well to kind of "ring it out" from all the way back at the rib cage.
Good Luck! :)

Hi there! Pump at home as well - in the morning before you go, and at work. If you pump an extra 2-3 minutes after the milk flow has stopped, it will tell your body to increase prodiction too. You are doing such a great thing for you little guy - it is very much worth the time to get him your breastmilk.

I don't know the arrangements, but if it is possible, maybe your sitter could bring baby to you for at least one of the feeds? Or could you go to your son to nurse during a lunch or break? Again - even if not for all feeds, this would help if it is possible.

Also - what kind of pump do you have? There are some out there that just aren't very efficient. I know they are more expensive (but still MUCH cheaper than formula!!) but getting a Medela or Ameda/Hollister pump - electric if you can - are well worth it. Keep practicing - look at pictures of your guy and relax when pumping to help your let down. And 4 oz per day is still about 2 feeds for him - depending on how long you are apart from him, you still may not need much formula at all.

The other mom mentioned that her little one held out on eating - that is ok, and yes, they will sometimes do that - he may wait until you get back and then nurse like crazy. Also - be sure to nurse him right before you go (at home or the sitters) and then right when you pick him up - you may find you don't need many bottles. If you do supplement with formula, don't be discouraged about it. All the breastmilk you give him, pumped and from the breast is incredibly beneficial for him and you!!

Finally - a pump (even the good ones) will never get all the milk from your breast - the baby is much more efficient and able to get more milk from the breast. So don't be concerned to think that is all the milk you have - I know a lot of moms have that concern when pumping. Good luck and be proud of giving your baby the best!!

If you need to add in extra pump times you can pump while you are driving to/from work. I use a hand pump now, but I have also used a double electric with a battery pack. Just tuck the pump sheild under your bra to hold it in place (arrange before taking off). When my baby was young I pumped before leaving (pump one side, nurse the other), when I first got to work, and at the end of the day. I quickly built up a freezer supply and gradually cut down on pumping. We never had to supplement. A good pump is important. I have the Medula pump in style, expensive, but worth the money! Good luck! Also recruit your husband to help keep up with the washing of pump parts and bottles, it can be overwhelming at times.

Start NOW by pumping AFTER the baby nurses!! Keep that in freezer. Mix breast milk with formula so it's not so hard on his tummy.50/50
Make a schedule.
*pump in the morning before you leave for work (after baby gets his share)
*pump at work
*feed him at home pumping after to get every last drop for the next day
Legally you can pump as often as you need to while at work if time allows.

Try it it works!
R.

I recommend renting/purchasing a hospital-grade pump. Much more efficient. Good luck!!

L.

#1 you can increase your milk flow with differant foods
#2. Beware of formula, I just read yesterday that 3 major formula makers in the USA have found Melomine in their formula and it is making children ill like over in China.
#3. Is it really a have to go back to work thing ? 6 weeks old is way to young to be left in a day care.
#4 You were wise to breastfeed your child but stopping so early in the game may be bad for him.Formula is not a good choice, you might try to see if you can find a farmer that has goats, Goats milk is excellant, my Mom had to give it too me when she couldn't breast feed me and I was always in the top percentile on growth, plus they said I was very bright and active for such a small child.
Good Luck

I went back to work when my little one was 5.5weeks old. I pumped twice a day, but pumped/nursed right before leaving for work (timing is everything) and then as soon as I got home as well. I also threw in some extra pumping sessions in the evening (after feeding) to build up a supply. You also may want to try half formula and half BM mixture, if you have to supplement. Might make things easier for baby boy. Good luck. It's hard, but you can do it. Don't forget to drink TONS of water!!

I was in your shoes as well several months ago. I was lucky though I was able to pump twice a day. I eventually dropped back down to once a day as my work load picked back up at the office. After my pumped milk supply ran out, I put my daughter on Enfamil formula. It mixes up better than Similac and my daughter seemed to like it better. She had no problems consuming half formula and half breastmilk. Today is her birthday and she still nursing morning and night and has either 3-4 ounces of pumped breastmilk and Next Step Enfamil formula or all formula at daycare. I too only get about 4 ounces when I pump once at work. Good luck.

The only other thing I can add that might help is to pump right before you go to bed. I did this with my first daughter and it really did help build up my supply. I also agree with nursing and pumping in the mornings. It helps to empty the side. Your body really will pick up the pace the more you pump. Remember you can freeze what you are pumping now and they can use it later. I also found that when I got home from work my breasts were so full that I usually had to pump to make myself more comfortable, so after the first day or two you will also have that milk to help.

Good luck!!

A.

My little ones were both nurse and formula feed from the get go... I had family members who can't stand babies nursing, so out of respect I didn't do it around them. Anyways... personally I haven't had troubles with feeding both. But after about 3-4 months after returning to work my supply did go away and they ended up on formula all the time. My supply was the best for my youngest... we made it to almost 9 months.

I have 4 little ones 14 yr, 4 yr, 3 yr and 18 mo. They are all healthy and the docs always told me as long as they aren't going hungry they are doing good. With the 3 yr old, he did get more gas then the others one formula, so we had to give my My Little Tummy drops to help with that.

Good luck wiht returning to work and your choose!

Pump on one side every time you are nursing to build up your supply. Sorry I can't give you any advice on formula; never gave it to either of my children.