DF with a bottle as EBF - can I use formula...?

[Martini~]

Dears, quick question to more experienced.

I have just introduced the DF (DS is 3mo, 5,150kg), I EBF. First day tried with boobs as he woke at 10pm by coincidence so I decided to give it a try. He ate something but still he woke as previous nights. Next night I wanted to nurse him, but it was a disaster. He had sucking reflex, and really wanted to latch, but couple seconds after he was stopping sucking because falling asleep so almost nothing came for him. I didn't even felt the let down... I put him down in his crib (not to mention that settling him was really tough) waited 20min until he finally settled well & tried with a bottle of EBM as I have some in the refrigerator. He took 120ml! I have been giving him bottle since than, and yesterday he took already 180ml so almost 6oz so pretty nice feed. As his erratic night wakenings just stopped, I am very committed to keep DF.

My problem is that I am currently using frozen milk and in about 10 days I will have nothing left. My idea was to express milk everyday at 10pm so to give it to him in a bottle later but I am afraid it will not be a great success. First two days I got nothing, than 60ml, 80ml but yesterday once again nothing (I felt milk in boobs, but I couldn't provoke let down). I am also trying to express after each feed but those are really minimal amounts (10-30ml). Today after morning feed I got 100ml, probably because last night I wasn't able to express and the milk was there).

As DF is working, I am very committed to keep it. My ideal plan: do it with EBM if I manage to express. But what should I do if I have not enough milk expressed or situation like yesterday will come...? Can I use formula - what do you think? I have never gave him FF, only EBM.

Would it be so selfish if in a hope for a good night for myself and if I do not manage to express enough milk during day, I will give him some formula milk after he will drink the whole EBM portion:(?

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

It's not selfish at all to give formula if that is what works best, really it is up to you as to whether you want to give formula. I mixed fed all three of my kids and it worked out well. 

[Martini~]

Heidi and do you have any advice when it is the best time to pump? I am pumping at 10pm and it's killing me. Could ask DH to do a DF so I can go to sleep earlier but if I pump at 10pm there is no option. I am on 3-4h EASY (longer stretches in the morning and shorter/cluster in the evenings).

[michaeljacknnugg]

If I could go back and do it all over again, I would only have pumped when *I* needed it and let myself use formula the rest of the time. I wanted to bottle feed once a day and the pumping was such hard work that I gave up.

So if you want to use formula, go ahead! There is nothing wrong with it (this is coming from a .'was desperate to breastfeed' mum) and other babies thrive on it full time.

[*Ali*]

I know many mamas do well pumping straight after the first morning feed as they tend to have filled up overnight (unless of course baby is feeding on them several times). This is especially true if baby takes little or nothing from the second breast.

As pps say many babies thrive on formula so if you want to use it then it is certainly a very handy option. 
The only thing you may wish to consider is the virgin gut theory explained here. For those who have the choice - why exclusive breastfeeding is recommended.

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

I could only ever pump first thing in the morning - both time wise and supply wise it was the only time it worked.

[Martini~]

Thank you ladies, I really appreciate what you wrote. I will decide on formula supplementation. I think I will still be pumping but as I cannot pump 6-7oz when nursing full time even trying very hard:(, I will pump what I can and supplement with formula.

[Martini~]

One more question to you Ladies.

For last 2-3 weeks I am pumping in the evening (10pm) and after morning feed. In the evening I get 100ml, never more. But I started to pump another 100ml in the morning after DS finished. Is he is eating less or I could increase milk supply by constant pumping at 7:30? I am asking as I am afraid he is not eating enough:(((. Btw there are no signs of that - after 7am feed he can now go until 10:45-11:00.

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

If he can go that long after the feed he is surely getting enough.

[Martini~]

Thanks Heidi:)!

[*Ali*]

I agree. Consistent pumping definitely could increase your supply and if he is happy to go 4hrs after that feed I imagine he is taking plenty.

[MumAnzy]

Hi, Inwpuldnt worry of he doesnt seem hungry.  Early morning right after or an hour after I  feed seems to be the highest milk supply.  I now somtimes pump on one breast while feeding on the other during the day.  I do this using the hands free pumping bra (amazon).  It takes about 2 days of pumping and saving to get around to the bottles that you need and then it's a matter of keeping it up.  I do a bottle for DF and have recently started another bottle for middle of NF.  This seems to be helping in making him last longer and do only 1 night feed. I pump the DF early in the morning, and then from what I pump during day plus before DF time at night there is enough for middle of night feed.  If i dont get enough for full bottle for middle of NF I would do bottle plus few minutes on breast. 

Dont feel guilty about formula.  A happy and rested mom is good for happy baby! 

[Martini~]

Depending in the day, I am pumping from 130ml to 200ml. 100ml at 10pm and rarely get more... and in the morning I pump right after feeding so not to affect the next feeding and I can get from 10 to 100ml depending on how much DS ate.

I decided to continue pumping and if it's not enough, add some formula as a topup. Basically having two bottles, first with EBM and when he drain it, next bottle with formula. This way I am not wasting any milk I have pumped. Changing bottle is a bit challenging but DS may eat from 140ml to 220ml for DF so it's always difficult to say how much will he eat:).

Until today we managed to be only on EBM but today is the day as I may have not enough milk. I've tried formula once during day couple of days ago to make sure he accepts it and have no digestive problems.

Thank you all Ladies for your support and kind words once again. I fell less stressed about feeding with formula but on the other hand even more motivated to pump as much as I can:).