Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Flip

Original poster

How can i cut out the formula?

9 replies

Newbeginning1 · 01/02/2010 20:06

DS is 5 weeks old and is mainly bf but was having 1 bottle of formula at night until he was about 3 weeks old. I then managed to cut out the bottle of formula but over the last week due to being out etc and the time it takes him to feed he's been having 1 formua top up per day roughly. When we're out i will always feed him as much as i can before i then finish filling him up with formula.

I really want to cut out the formula when we're out so i'm trying to express but i can only ever get 30mls off and thats after an hour of expressing. I'm also taking fenugreek to build up my supply but i'm not noticing much of a difference.

Whats the best way for me to cut out the formula? Am i best to try expressing say every hour so that i can stimulate more milk and then the milk (if any) that i get off i can top DS up with?

I'm worried though that when i'm expressing as has just happened that when he wakes up and tries to feed he has to really work for it and there's not a lot for him. Am i best to wake him say every 2 hours so that then i'm topping him up rather than him waking up ravenous and then once my supply is increased then start spacing the feeds out more?

OP posts:

thisisyesterday · 01/02/2010 20:09

if he is only have one bottle a day i would just stop giving it.
the best way to increase your supply is to feed more.
so just replace the formula feed with a breastfeed.

most small babies will accept a bottle even after a big breastfeed because it comes easily and it's hard to stop. it doesn't mean they need it.

you shouldn't need to express at all unless you really want to. just feed him more frequently

hellymelly · 01/02/2010 20:11

Why was he having the formula? Your supply should build up quickly if you feed on frequently, expressing is not as effective at increasing supply as a baby is.Can you not breastfeed when out and about?You get used to it,honestly,even if you feel shy at first.
My babies fed pretty much every two hours anyway at his age,so don't focus so much on when the feed should/shouldn't be.just feed him when he wants it,for as long as he wants and your supply should be fine,you don't need extra formula,it will just decrease your milk supply.

Wigeon · 01/02/2010 20:14

Sorry if I'm being dense, but why are you topping him up? If he seems really hungry then have you just tried feeding him more often / feeding on demand? The theory is that your breasts should keep up with whatever he demands. Are you feeding from both breasts at each feed? That might help too.

Don't get too depressed at the expressing - babies are way more efficient than breast pumps (in my experience). If you can't pump off much, it doesn't necessarily mean there isn't much there - your baby will probably be able to get it directly much more easily.

When you say you are worried that your baby "really has to work at it", what does he do? Tiny babies are often all over the place, thrashing about, arms and hands getting in the way of feeding, coming off and then going back on again etc etc, so it might just be normal feeding behaviour, rather than there being nothing there.

Is there a breastfeeding cafe / support group near you so someone could watch you feeding and give you a bit of advice and support?

Good luck.

Wigeon · 01/02/2010 20:15

Cross-posted with everyone else! Agree with everyone else too!

Original poster

Newbeginning1 · 01/02/2010 20:44

He was having top ups when we were readmitted to hospital after his birth as my milk hadnt come in and he was ravenous and even when my milk came in i fed him once for 6 hours non stop and he just wasnt satisfied. I then cut it out and the use of formula has been because we were out and it takes him 2 hours to feed on the breast and if we're out then its not possible to feed him for so long.

I've just tried feeding him and he's getting so frustrated that there isnt any milk there for him and from previous experience he will continue to nurse and nurse but just wont fill up until my boobs have had a rest to properly fill up.

As i'm on my own i need to express to let other people look after him so i can have a break so im not just a walking talking feeding machine.

OP posts:

Moomma · 01/02/2010 21:37

Poor you! I had this with my DS who was very small and lost a lot of weight. He would feed forever and ever in the beginning, then settled down to about an hour every three hours when he got to about seven or eight weeks - much more manageable, though I did used to stress about having to feed him in public and spending hours in a cafe or wherever doing it. He's twenty weeks now and does a feed in twenty minutes, so don't worry, it does get better. If you want to taper off the formula, do it in small amounts by cutting down 10 mls at a time, so you are gradually increasing the amount you're providing. And try pumping from the side you are going to be giving him second so it has a chance to fill up while you are giving him side one. If he's a leisurely feeder, you should have enough time.

Expressing is very frustrating and you just have to persevere if you're determined to do it; with time it gets easier and more productive and less of a hassle.

Sounds as if you are doing brilliantly and well done for trying to cut out the formula when other people might just have given up.

Original poster

Newbeginning1 · 01/02/2010 22:32

Thanks Moomma. I have persisted with breast feeding him it breaks my heart seeing him crying and looking exhausted because he wants to be full so he can sleep so i've given in and given him some formula. I'll definitely do as you say though and cut down gradually as i think this will be less stressful for him and for me and then hopefully my supply will increase gradually then rather than me feeling such pressure to magically produce more milk overnight.

The sound of him feeding in 20 weeks sounds like bliss by the way - i cant wait for DS to get quicker.

OP posts:

Moomma · 01/02/2010 23:03

Neither could I, but as it turns out I really miss the longer feeds and enjoy it when he does snuggle up for a long one! As with everything, try to enjoy it while it lasts - once things have settled down and you can enjoy BFing, get comfy on the sofa, watch some TV and relax. Don't get too stressed about getting out and about if you can manage it (but if you're dying for a break, go for it!). Enjoy being with him when he's tiny; he'll be a big lad before long.

I absolutely know what you mean about them looking tired and exhausted and I wouldn't get too stressed about giving him some formula now and then, but basically all of this will pass in time (and not very much time, if you think about it...). I've found it stressful at times too, but I much prefer feeding him to giving him a bottle of formula, so I persevered, and I'm so glad I did now. Hugs to you, and stay positive.

Wigeon · 02/02/2010 13:50

It does sound like you are doing really well considering the problems you had in the early days - good on you keeping going with the breast-feeding. I do think that if you BF, you have to have realistic expectations about how much you can be apart from your baby in the first few months - basically you can't really.

Agree with others that expressing should get easier in the coming weeks, so maybe give it a go in a few weeks time and enjoy being inseparable for now. It must be tough being on your own - can people help you out with with everything apart from feeding to give you a bit of a rest now and again?

Flip