Should I starting cutting back on the BF?

[Mischief]

I'm at a wall, I am almost exclusively expressing but Oliver is starting to want more food.....he is having 200ml upwards for his morning feed, and about 250ml in the evening before he goes to bed, sometimes more.

I am managing to keep up to him at the moment, and even get to freeze 150ml every 2 days or so, depending on how much he wants to drink....

The CHN suggested that I start giving him a bottle of formula of an evening, as 1 - it should help him sleep longer, cause his tummy will be fuller 2- my supply will keep up with him durning the day if I'm not feeding him the the evenings.

If I do this, I wont stop expressing the same amount that I am now, but at the same time I'm feeling guilty about starting him on formula, even though some days I feel like throwing in the towel with expressing all together, I havent!

So what is everyone elses opinion? All EBM, or 1 feed a day of Formula?

[Areca]

I think the best thing would be to talk to a breastfeeding counsellor. They can talk to you about which route you would like to take and give you helpful, knowledgable advice. DD is 7 months old, EBF (from the breast) and doesn't sleep through the night. It's perfectly normal. Also not all FF babies sleep through the night. Your CHN sounds like she needs to update her knowledge.

Here is a list of numbers for counsellors.

Telephone Counselling
All capital cities and some other areas run a Breastfeeding Helpline on a roster system. You can also look under Australian Breastfeeding Association in your local White Pages (Some books may still have us listed as Nursing Mothers' Association of Australia). The Helplines are available 7 days a week. Counsellors are answering calls in their own homes so please take this into consideration when calling.



BREASTFEEDING HELPLINES
ACT/Southern New South Wales (02) 6258 8928
New South Wales (02) 8853 4999
Queensland (07) 3844 8977 or (07) 3844 8166
Townsville (07) 4723 5566
Cairns (07) 4058 0007
Toowoomba (07) 4639 2401
South Australia and NT (08) 8411 0050
Northern Territory counsellor contact line (08) 8411 0301
Tasmania (03) 6223 2609
Tasmania - North (03) 6331 2799
Victoria (03) 9885 0653
Western Australia (08) 9340 1200

[Chickadee]

Look, I'll be honest. I don't know what you should do. But I do know that expressing is hard work. It is draining both physically and emotionally. So I want to offer a big round of applause to you for sticking with it so far :yelclap: :yelclap: :yelclap: , but also to say that if you do decide to reduce the amount you express that might be a good thing for your own well being. I don't know, you need to judge for yourself how you are doing. I was exhausted by it very quickly. If giving formula at night will let you do more daytime bf, instead of expressing, then I would seriously consider it.

[the_queen]

Like Carmen said, ring the ABA, or a proper Lactation Consultant.

You're a champ for exclusively expressing, an absolute bl**dy legend :yelclap: :yelclap: It's hard work, and I know that feeling of "wouldn't it be easier to just mix up some formula!!". I think your ECHN is wrong though when she says that one bottle of formula won't affect your supply. Quite a lot of "I had to wean because my supply dropped" stories start out with "I started giving him 1 formula feed at night".

Do you have an electric or manual pump? I'm sure you know the ABA hires out pumps, if I was you I'd be getting myself one of those "double milkers".

Sorry I can't give you more advice - but the ABA definitely can. Have you joined up with them? You can speak to a counsellor even if you're not a member, and they are very up to date with their information.
Good luck matey :thumbsup:

[kadownie]

Wow- that's great that you are expressing for your little one- lots of hard work- but worth the health benefits in my opinion.

Why did the CHN suggest to switch to formula once a day? It sounds to me that you aren't comfy giving your bubby formula, which is why you are expressing. Maybe have a think about why you are expressing, and what you believe the benefits are for you and your bubby. Even when you are giving your bub breastmilk, the formula can take away some of the goodness and health benefits of the breastmilk.

I'm not trying to upset anyone (I know the whole breastfeeding and formula thing is such an emotive topic- and I have breastfed and given bottles when needed to my twins- and understand the feelings that can be aroused) I just think it's important to have a look at our beliefs and why we are doing things.

Anyway- you asked what we thought about exclusive EBM or one bottle of formula- my opinion is to stay with the EBM

[Mischief]

Thanks guys for the support and encouragement.

I'm expressing because I dont feel emotionally comfortable with breastfeeding. But I know the goodness of BM and want to give my baby the best I can.

I am considering doing the one bottle of formula a day, but I would still express the same amount of times a day as I am now....and just freeze the extra feed.

The CHN suggested that I start giving him a bottle of formula because as I am expressing it is harder for my supply to boost to give him what he needs...esp now as he is often drinking 200ml or so at a feed, and afer my initial 300+ of a morning I only get 100ml per session after that. She thought it would be a good idea for me to start getting him used to the taste of formula, as there will come a time where I will have to suppliment as I will not have enough milk.

I'm going to hold off on introducing a bottle of formula at bedtime until ext tuesday though...that will mean Oliver is 12 weeks old....and I'm hoping to continue with only one bottle a day until he is 4 months old. At that time I am considering starting him on some solids...esp as he is showing all the signs of wanting food, including making chewing motions with his mouth when we eat (so cute)...and hopefully if he is ready and wants FOOD, I will be able to go back to giving him all EBM.

Oh, the joys of motherhood! Who would have known it was so hard! LOL Wish I had a tap on these boobies of mine so I could just turn it on and drain them, instead of having to spend an hour pumping each time! :rolleyes:

[mamachops]

I think there are a few points here.
If you exclusively express, over time your supply may diminish for 2 reasons. Because most pumps cannot drain the breast as well as a baby, at periods of increased demand it is that complete draining that encourages your body to produce more milk. Also over time, never completely draining the breast signals the body to 'dry up' your supply a bit. So although your supply is sufficient now, it may not be down the line.

I believe your CHN may have been suggesting a FF at night in an attempt to keep bub satisfied at night. This is because formula takes much longer to be digested than BM and sometimes encourages a baby to sleep longer at night.

I don't however think that you would keep up your supply if you replace a feed. You may wish to give half BM, half formula at night, but since you are not BFing it probably wouldn't make a difference.

If you wish to keep your supply up whilst exclusively pumping, I would strongly suggest you hire/buy a hospital grade electric pump. The hand and home electric pumps do not increase your supply (see initial point), although the more frequent you pump the better your chances of keeping up the supply.

Anyway, just my 10 cents worth. I tried the night time formula feed, and all I got out of it was very smelly wind and nappies:eek:

[Areca]

I just wanted to add that there are ways you can increase your supply (fenegreek, mothers milk tea etc). Ultimately it's your choice but it could help to talk to a counsellor, they will be able to advise you so much more and help you to pump successfully for longer!

Also, I didn't say this before but way to go on pumping!!!!!

[Mischief]

Well today is the magic 12 weeks. WOW, I cant belive that Ive been expressing for over 6 weeks.....I cant belive its here....and now I dont want to introduce that bottle of formula.

I really would love the extra sleep at night, but I dont want to run the risk of upsetting Olivers little system by introducing the bottle of formula either. And there is no gaurentee that he will sleep any longer either.....

Oh its so confusing.....I think I'll keep going for now, doing what I'm doing, and if I feel the need I will introduce a bottle of formula....

[Mischief]

Oh I forgot to mention....I'm taking Oliver for a weigh and measure tomorrow with the CHN. If he has gained well and is still in the top 3% for his height, and just above average for his weight, I guess that is a great insentive to keep going with the expressing, because it must be OK for him!

:)