Help w/ formula - long

Hi Everyone
I think I need to change my babys formula. He was 2 weeks yesterday. He has been on Similac Advance Liquid since the birth. I'm also BF but mostly bottle feeding. I'm having some trouble w/ that. On Monday I ran out of the liquid formula so I gave him the powder & ever since then he has been fussy, gassy, irritable, can't put him down, loose stools one day & none the next. But he only acts like this every other day since Mon. And when he's like this he'll only sleep on me when I hold him high on my chest. As soon as I lay him down he cries. I only gave him the powder for one day, my DH ran out that night to get the liquid. Do you think it's the formula or something else? he has been fine untill then. Could it be both the formula & B. milk? I'm trying hard to BF but he just falls asleep & then wants more so I give him a little formula. I feel like I'm not making enough for him.
Sorry so long but I was hoping someone may have gone through this before.
Oh & he has no temp. & he does sound very gassy. Anyone have any advice?

If you are having problems with bfing you should see a LC asap. You only have a very short window to fix any issues. Your body will not make enough milk if you just bfing occassionally and you could lose it all together.
I, personally, have never heard of a baby getting upset with powered vs. liquid formula unless the power was not mixed correctly. Are you sure you used enough and mixed it enough? Was it the SAME exact brand? Similac makes a bunch of types- maybe it wasn't the advanced?

It was definitly the same formula & I was very careful w/ mixing it. I'm finding out a lot of people I speak w/ had the same problems w/ powder. Also my cousin's newborn is also having problems w/ the same formula.
I'll send DH out for the good start.

About seeing a LC- where is a good place to find one? Would it be OK to just pump?

ok let's see if we can help you out! a few questions for ya:

do you know how to get your little one latched on? is that the problem you've run into?

have you spoken to anybody about breastfeeding or did anybody show you how in the hospital?

how often (if ever) do you nurse?

how much formula does the baby eat?

Maybe we can figure out some solutions for you....

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Posted by jenny11.

do you know how to get your little one latched on? is that the problem you've run into?

At the hospital I had a very difficult time. The LC came once I didn't find her very helpfull but the nurses helped me also. I was in a lot of pain & could not sit comfortably. It was very frustrating for both of us but I kept trying. It was very painful at first I felt like his mouth was so small he was just latching on to the nipple.

how often (if ever) do you nurse?
I've been try every couple of hours when he seems like he wants to eat. He will take for a while but than falls asleep. When I remove him he screams like he's still hungry but won't latch on. I end up giving him a bottle. We are getting a little better at it.

how much formula does the baby eat?
about 2-3 oz every 3 hours or so.
I've been trying to pump and give him that also even though it's not much. I think it's the pump. I have the Isis manual & hate it. It's more frustrating than BF. It takes a long time even though I see my milk is coming out. It also leaks out the bottom.
I don't think I'm too concerned about him actually BF I just want him to have my milk instead of the formula.


Maybe we can figure out some solutions for you....

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I hope so. I am getting very frustrated. I seriously didn't think BF would be this hard.

ok first thing I would do is try to contact a lactation consultant. I think the La Leche League has a listing on their website of people in the area, or you can call the hospital you delivered at and speak with one there. Sounds like you might need somebody to come to you and help you with the latch. Breastfeeding is VERY frustrating and don't let anybody tell you 'it comes naturally' - it doesn't. Not to the baby or the mommy. I remember feeling totally inept and frustrated, just crying while the baby kept falling asleep, bobbing, crying, sucking my nipples - it was awful. But slowly we got used to it and now she latches like a pro!

So that should be your first step. There are also tons of books out there, and I would suggest the Nursing Mothers Companion. Excellent reference book. Not latching can cause severe pain, soreness, cracking, bleeding, frustration, exhaustion and of course, eventually giving it up 100%. It's not too late to change all this!

Once you have the latch down:

It's totally normal for him to fall asleep. He's just a baby! There are some tricks though to keep him going. Try to rub under his chin, tickle his feet, take off his clothes down to his diaper and undershirt. You can rub the back of his head with your fingertips...whatever you find gets him moving.

It sounds like you are already supplementing. You are doing a great job. Just continue to put him to your breast first, and then give him the bottle since you have already started with that. Hopefully you will get to the point where he is either getting enough from the breast, or you are able to pump enough to feed from a bottle.

The manual pump isn't gonna do it. Are you a SAHM? I highly suggest getting an electric pump. If you are really serious about feeding him breast milk this is the best way to express it. I know it's expensive, but it's worth it. You can also look into renting. I don't know how much that costs. I am sure you can get a pump on ebay for less money - take a look there first. Once you start pumping regularly, your supply will increase and you should be able to store some for feedings.

In the meantime, your baby is going to become more eager to nurse! (as long as you get that latch-on right) and he's not gonna fall asleep so much! In fact, he'll start diving for that boobie by around 7-8 weeks! And he'll latch all on his own.

I know it s so hard, and it will benefit you to find some support groups on line, speak with a consultant, and ask a ton of questions. IMO it's totally worth the aggravation that this causes. And remember, that even while you are giving formula, you are still giving breastmilk so he's getting those nutrients!

Good luck and keep us updated!

IMO a LC is your best bet to help you. I went to Dawn Frank in Babylon. not cheap but worth it IMO. With her help I was able to go from ALL formula feeding to ALL BM. Molly never latched much after the bottle was given in the hospital but she is on all BM. Yes, you can pump and use a bottle to give your baby breastmilk. You MUST pump A LOT in the beginning...heck I still pump 7X per day (down from 8Xs). It takes dedication but it can be done and is done by lots of women. If I can help you please let me know.You usually need a hospital grade pump to build a milk supply. then you go to your PIS after it is already fully established.

Also, some insurance companies will help you purchase a breast pump.

Thanks soo much for all of your help. I really do appreciate it. The baby seems to be feeling better today. I switched him to the Good Start formula. I am nursing him first though it just seems like it's not filling him up. Is that possible. Like I said before I think he's had enough because he'll fall asleep but when I move him he cries like he's still hungry so I give him a little formula.
I am a SAHM. I should look into a pump rental first? Where are they available for rent? What is the difference between a hospital grade & a PIS? Is that just the electric pump like the medela pump in style?
Sorry for all the questions, I don't know much about the pumps.You girls have been soo helpful & reasuring when eveyone else just tells me to give it up.

First call your insurance company and ask if they cover a hospital grade breast pump rental...you may need a supervisior to answer the question. I used Dawn Frank in Babylon for my pump rental, not sure if her price is more expensive than others. You can also go to www.medela.com and they can help you find a LC in your area. I rented a Medela Clasic. It was not cheap. I paid $75 per month for a 3-month upfront rental, plus $26 for the kit you need. But I already had some of the kit with my PISA. If not, the kit would cost around $40 or so. It is a heavy pump, not portable like the PISA.

When your baby 'looks' hungry again, do you try to nurse again? some babies need to nurse A LOT and that will help to get your supply up too.

You need to build your supply up. Most likely a hospital grade pump can do that for you quicker than the PIS. The PIS is to be used AFTER you have a good healthy milk supply. The PIS or PISA (advanced) is a consumer grade pump and should only be used by a single-user (meaning do not purchased a used one). The motor is different on them. The hospital grade pump is more powerful. I don't understand all of the mechanics of each though- Dawn can answer that better than I can.

Try to eat oatmeal based stuff for a few days too. Fenugeek really helps me maintain my supply. It doesn't happen overnight, but your supply will increase.

Don't give up!! It is a lot of work I know.