Topping up breastfed baby with formula

[ShelbyPa1991]

I have a 2 week old and we have just managed to start breastfeeding successfully due to latching issues before so we’re now using nipple shields.
She’s been awake every 20-30 minutes tonight wanting to feed so I’ve had to top her up with formula so I can get some sleep and some relief for my nipples. part of me feels guilty, does anyone else do this for their little one?

It sounds like cluster feeding. It’s usually just for a week or so while your supply adjusts.

have you tried pumping to increase your supply?

That’s what I thought, but I’m so overwhelmed and sore that I had to give in and give a little formula.
I’ve been pumping after feeding but had very little come through in the pump, although this is all still very new and I know I need to give it some time for these things to happen.

My baby is nearly three weeks and we are supplementing breastmilk with formula. The hospital actually told us to do this as baby was badly jaundiced and formula is easier for their liver to process, but also because the best way to get rid of jaundice is to make sure they are having loads of food. Hospital told us to make sure we were getting plenty of nappies (wet and poos) - if not, baby is not eating enough. I have a decent milk supply but LO is a very hungry baby, the formula also means we all get more sleep. We have just starting using HiPP formula which is organic.

I’ve had friends who resolutely stuck to only breast and their babies end up dehydrated and poorly from that (one in hospital) - FED is best! Your baby is still getting the goodness of your breast milk and is getting a full tummy from the formula so they are happy :)

I’d also recommend MAM nipple shields and Lansinoh nipple balm - life savers. Using those plus doing more formula on one day to give myself a break did wonders for my soreness which meant breastfeeding was easier, check your latch with the midwives next time they come round too.

If you can feed your baby lying down you will get more sleep. Read up about how to cosleep and your DH shouldn't drink or smoke if he's in the bed with you but it's a lifesaver with a tiny baby. You don't have to do it all the time if you don't want to but when they are cluster feeding (or later on teething) it makes things much easier.

Also, remember, at this stage your job is to feed your baby and nothing else, during the day sit on your sofa eating hobnobs (oats reputedly increase your supply 😉), drinking plenty water/tea/juice, keep your baby on your breast and binge watch crap/read trash/scroll your phone. Let your DH (or a grandparent if they are in the house and helping) do the housework and nappies etc etc. A baby who is asking for food all the time is doing their job to stimulate your breasts to produce milk. This is what they are suppose to do although obviously it's exhausting but in a few weeks your supply and their demand will equilibrate.

formula is easier for their liver to process

This is nonsense, why on earth would a human baby find it easier to process cow's milk than human milk? But it is true that a formula feed of a tiny jaundiced baby that is getting sleepy and so not fussing for the breast can wake them up enough to start demanding to feed properly again. But the OP is saying her baby is asking for food so that's not the issue here, it's that's she's exhausted.

I’m not a medical doctor and presumably neither are you, but I believe from the conversation with the paediatric consultant there is some evidence that there can be substances in breast milk that can inhibit processing of bilirubin. Our baby was not struggling to wake for feeds so it was not to do with that. However as it was a consultant who told us this we were inclined to trust her and it very much helped our baby! As baby has gotten over jaundice and my milk supply increases we are planning on switching out formula for expressed breast milk as sometimes bottles are more convenient.

Either way, OPs baby is hungry and the poor OP is exhausted because of the feeding patterns, so it’s probably best the baby is fed and OP can get some rest… but as expected typical Mumsnet pressure to exclusively breastfeed. I had obstetric led care at a centre of excellence and every medical professional we spoke to (doctor, midwife etc) said fed was best and now issue supplementing with formula if it meant everyone was happier.

Get some silver nipple cups. They are amazing and really helped to heal any soreness when it did arise. Sounds like your little one is cluster feeding to get your supply to meet their needs going forwards. The first few weeks are for ‘building the factories’ so to speak so stick with it, you’re doing an amazing job!! My little one cluster fed for the first 3-4 months, especially during growth spurts. Time consuming and demanding but very worth it in the long run.

Do what feels right for you OP, feeding intensely is normal at this age but some babies are more intense than others and the pattern some want to feed in can be totally unsustainable without some bottle feeding. I have breastfed both our babies. The first to 6 months ish with huge difficulty and poor weight gain. The second I started formula top ups at 3 weeks because he was ravenous and not gaining weight properly despite following all the advice and feeding on demand. He stayed on one formula top up a day until we weaned him at 5.5 months, and now he is back to BF alone with weight gain rocketing. You know what’s right for you. Formula can be really helpful if you feel it’s needed.

No reason to feel guilty for giving formula op. It’s this that causes women to sacrifice their own physical and mental wellbeing.

For DC1 who wouldn’t ever latch, i tried nipple shields for a bit. He seemed to take to them better, but they only helped for a little bit as he then started moving his arms more and knocking them off. For DC2 i went straight to formula.

Go see a lactation consultant for the help with latching and perhaps to make feeds more effective. Nipple shields can be a useful tool but used without expert guidance can make things worse as well. Find an IBCLC as soon as you can

That’s ok, when you pump after feeding even if not much comes out it’s still signals your body to make more. I agree with the pp who said feed lying down. You can rest while you feed. It does get easier though.

Also recommend the silver nipple cups for recovery! As well as Lansinoh nipple balm, nipple shields and definitely getting help from a lactation consultant if you can afford it. Feeding lying down is definitely a life saver if you can make it work so early on (look up safety advice). It will all settle and is worth the effort if you want to breastfeed long term. Good luck!