Breast Feeding and Formula Feeding

[Hamiltonshan]

Hi All,

I Currently have a four week old baby boy and breastfeeding.

I have had no problems with breastfeeding and all the midwifes and health visitors comment on what a wonderful feeder he is.

I'm just concerned he might not be getting enough milk, as every-time I express any milk I only can get 3ozs and really struggle to get anymore.

How have other parents found feeding with formula aswell as breastfeeding? And any tips on doing so?

Also tips for trying to produce more breast milk?

I'm not sure what route I want to take yet in terms of breastfeeding and formula feeding, so just wanted some advice on two options!

Thanks

What you get when you express is no indication of what your baby is getting. Lots of people can't "perform" for a pump but have no trouble feeding their babies. It's natural to produce much more for your baby, whose smell and touch and sucking you respond to naturally, than for a hard plastic funnel.

From what you've said it doesn't sound like you have any problems with milk supply or that there is any need to introduce formula. Your baby would soon let you know if he was unsatisfied or not thriving and it seems like he is. If you want to introduce a bottle just so he can move back and forth between bottle and breast, feel free - you could feed what you're getting when you express or use formula. I would suggest not more than one bottle of formula a day until you get to 8-12 weeks though, just to ensure your supply isn't affected. Some people can add formula feeds without any impact on supply in the early days, but some can't and you don't know which camp you fall into until afterwards.

Oh, and if your baby is feeding well, all you need to do to ensure sufficient supply is give them free access to the breast and make sure you take care of yourself - eat lots and drink plenty of water.

Measuring what you can express isn’t a good indication of how much milk you’re making. Weight gain will tell you much more about whether he’s getting enough. Is he putting on weight ok, has regained his birth weight?

Both my DC were exclusively breast fed and were between 75th and 91st centiles, I could never express more than a sad puddle.

Women may be happily BF thriving twins....and be unable to express more than a drop or two. If your baby is doing well, then you're in this large category of women who have difficulties expressing. You could probably learn to hand express and get a good technique going, if you wanted to, and it can be useful to do this (or get a pump that works for you).

In the meantime, however, it's pointless worrying you are not producing enough...because you clearly are 😀. Your body is producing for your baby, not the pump

I wouldn’t worry about how much you are able to pump, it won’t give you a correct indication of your supply. A baby is much more efficient at getting milk from you. Some women on my breastfeeding group have never been able to pump more than an ounce at a time. Apparently a hacka pump is meant to amazing

As long as baby is gaining weight well and has plenty of wet nappies then you are definitely producing enough. Best way to get supply up is to feed feed feed. Babies cluster feed to build the supply. Introducing too much formula can hinder building your supply at this early stage as you’re not signalling your body produce more. Although like a PP advised I don’t think one bottle a day would hurt at all. And absolutely make sure you are looking after yourself too. Congrats on your newborn

As everyone has said expressing is not a good indicator of supply. If baby is gaining weight appropriately presume all is fine! Secondly 3oz is actually a fairly good output from a pumping session!