Wanting to continue BF but hardly getting any milk when pumping!

[Jessicac4]

My little boy has just turned 8 months, he has been ebf since day one and we’ve never had any problems! He is now on 4 BF a day alongside 3 meals. I LOVE BF and plan to do it for at least a year if not more.

I have just started back at work, luckily I’m only there 2 days a week and only miss the night time feed but I am struggling with pumping, I have a hand and electric pump and most night I can’t even get 20ml off which is really deflating.

I was just wondering if anyone had introduced a formula feed for just two nights a week and if it worked well or not?

I never pumped more than a puddle, went back to work on shifts 4 days of 10 when DD.was 8 months. My supply was well established, she continued to BF for quite some time.

Pumping is not possible for everyone - it's not a reflection of supply. At that age and frequency of missed feed I would say you'd be fine to introduced formula and then just feed as soon as you are back together. Well done for making it to this far!

Have you tried different flange sizes? Apparently that can make a big difference to the output.

I had to get a hospital grade pump in the end - it cost £47 a month to hire a medela symphony, but thats because i pumped 6-8 times a day for 6months. It might not be worth it if you only need it a couple of times a week.

My DD BF for 10 months before deciding she dosent want it anymore. It's so sad but I'm trying to pump and I did before and I'm not getting anything. I know she's fed well for the past 10 months so i don't think pumping is a reflection on supply x

When I went back to work, it's topped up with formula if I couldn't pump enough. I never actually managed to pump very much but my supply seemed ok. I have read that pumping can work better for some than others. I've had friends who seemed to be able to pump loads and others who were like me and never managed much. Have a read about paced feeding and get slow-flow bottles, that can help prevent bottle preference. It's definitely doable. I went back to work at 7 months pp and breast-fed to 13 months. Good luck!

Thank you for all your lovely comments, feeling a lot better with this decision now!xx