decreasing formula increasing breastmilk

[freedom2011]

I would like to ask for some help increasing the amount I am breastfeeding. Dc1 is 7 weeks. She is eating 5 times a day, first breast feeding then 100 ml top ups of formula. Most of the time I feel like she doesn't empty the breast so will be pumping post feed to get it all out. I've got the weaning from formula plan from kellymom. And I don't mind getting up to express through the night. But dc1 sleeps through at the moment from10pm to 6 am and whilst I realise this can soon change I don't want to mess it up. I asked the Dr if it's not too early to be leaving her so long and he just said no, let her sleep and be grateful. The 5 meals a day is also great. So should I just pump until I get up to being able to top up with expressed milk rather than aiming for 10 feeds a day as recommended by Kelly mom site? DH is also not keen to mess up the present rhythm for our own conveneso not that

Pressed post too soon Dh not keen to mess up rhythm for our convenience and because he thinks I'm going to get tired and miserable.

5 times a day is not very often a typical breastfed baby feeds 8-12 times a day. If you want to get back to just bf you need to increase the number if times you feed in a day. You can do this around your baby sleep times so feed every 2 hours in the day.

freedom, I think it will help to talk this over with a breastfeeding counsellor on one of the bf helplines.

I don't understand the 'convenience' of what you're doing though sorry :)

You are breastfeeding. You are expressing. You are topping up with formula.

Where is the convenience?! What a hassle :(

If you want to continue breastfeeding, then you really need to consider breastfeeding more often. 5 times a day with 100 ml formula top ups at age 7 weeks is a surefire recipe for reducing milk production to the level of very little.....that's just the way it works. 5 times a day isn't sufficient for most women to make enough milk. And 500 mls of formula a day is a huge amount for a baby of 7 weeks - it must be the majority of her needs unless she is a very big baby.

I really hope you can work things out, but you absolutely need to know that what you are doing now is not a way to get back to full bf.

thanks McBaby. today I tried that and she does seem happy to go on the breast more often. and when I check after she has come off, there is more milk left in the breast. so today I reduced the forumla from 500ml to 480ml and breast fed more often. I will see how it goes for a few days and reduce it another 20ml or so.

tiktok - yes, good tip - I am indeed seeing a breastfeeding consultant on thursday. DD was over 9lb3 at birth and in the 1 month check up in the 90th percentile for height and weight so not tiny but not off the scale gigantic either. I guess by convenience I meant - eating at set times but especially for DH - sleeping through the night. I guess we thought trying to slowly wean her away from so much formula would mess up having set feeding times and knowing when we could go out and do stuff. I guess I can keep the set times and just offer the breast in the other inbetween times when she seems hungry.

thanks for your answers.

I'm in exactly the same situation freedom. I don't have much advice but my complete sympathy with you and how difficult it is.

My ds was 9lb5oz at birth (now 12lb at 4 weeks). He was dehydrated and put on formula top ups in hospital. He's now taking 120ml 4-5 times a day, breastfeeds never seem enough for him. He sleeps 11pm-4am and breast feeds about 6 times per day. I have a toddler too so can't physically spend anymore time feeding, I'm struggling just to shower and feed us all at the moment! I desperately want to reduce the formula but just can't see how when he is taking so much.

Let me know how it is going for you and if you have any tips.

waggamamma thanks a lot for the sympathy and works of support. that really helps. sorry to hear your ds was dehydrated and needed the formula top ups. my dd had an infection and was on the childrens ward for the first week but i was advised to stay on the delivery ward to recover which meant getting across the hospital to try and feed her when they called and no bonding or skin to skin. DD was also given formula top ups by the hospital. I think that got us off to a less than great start and I didn't act quickly enough to get her off the formula once I got home. anyway - no use crying over spilt milk (ha-ha)

I can't imagine how hard it is for you wagga with a toddler as well. I don't have any tips based on real experience as I have only just started but I am using the plans and advice on these links.

kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/basics/decrease-formula/
kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/low-supply/ - the how to increase bit is at the bottom
I am seeing a breastfeeding consultant on thursday to check latch