Question about supplementing

jenny11.9 Posted: Jan 19, 2004 01:33 PM

Question about supplementing

Sophie had her 2 week appt today and though she gained 'enough' weight, the doctor said he'd like to see a few more ounces as she was a preemie...so he said he wants me to supplement 2 oz of either breastmilk or formula 3 times a day for about 1 -2 weeks and we'll take it from there.

So here's my question. Or questions. Seriously? If I have to pump 2 oz for three times a day doesn't that mean I am going to be a slave to my breasts for about 24 hours a day? He said to feed the baby normally - then offer the 2 oz of bottle - when she sleeps, pump and then when she wakes feed again. I mean COME ON. has anybody had to do this? Will I have enough milk for all this? I did get the Medela Electric Pump so I have the means to do it, I just haven't yet (except in the hospital when I had no milk). I would love to just give formula but really want the baby to stay on 100% breastmilk until at least a month....

If I do use formula - stupid question - how do you do it? Does it need to be warmed? I've never used a bottle.....does the breastmilk in the bottle need to be warmed? Can it stand on the counter for any period of time like a few hours? HELP!!!!

phyl Posted: Jan 19, 2004 01:43 PM

Re: Question about supplementing

hey there- I support you 100% with BFing..having bf Julianne until sept when SHE gave it up

ask your dr HOW he wants you to suppliment since your baby is practically attached to you 85% of the day as it is
see if says formula- ans ask him which brand he recommends. He ALSHO should have a can or bottle of formula to give you
They get cases of this stuff. Take however many he offers you. This stuff is expensive

again, only if YOU are comfortabel with this and the dr says formula

if so, You can mix formula in a regular bottle. I use playtex nursers..you have to buy drop in liners for playtex- but that I thought was worth it since that insures that it is sterilzed.
pick any nipple that says it itmitates a moms breast...you want an easy flow nipple.
(other BTDT moms chime in if I am wrong)

you clean the bottles, caps, and nipples either in the toip shelf of the dishwassher or use hot water ( as hot as u can stand it) and a bottle brush. Use very little dish detergent and rinse well ...air dry.

put in the liner, then about 2 oz of WARM water, then measure the scoops of formula . (decide if you are making 2oz bottle or 4 oz)...then add more WARM water. put the nipple on, cap it and shake it. you need to use WAM and not HOT water so that the formula mix will dissolve and not clump up

you can now use it immediately...or refrig it and use it later that day...I think it will keep for 24 hours. look on the label of the formala mix.
and yes, you can keep it on the counter...but I would not recommend leaving it there for more than 1/2 hour.

if you refringe, you may want to heat it up b4 giving it to baby. I use an old jelly jar. Fill it with HOT water and drop the bottle in it.
wait a few min and then test the mil ( on your wwrist) to see the temp..and then give to baby.

room temp is ideal...altho Julianne did take cold bottles

HTH!!!

Victoria Posted: Jan 19, 2004 02:27 PM

Re: Question about supplementing

I think Phyl answered the bottle questions. Here is what I did to supplement. I went through this with Annalise the first week since my milk took a while to come in. Since I did not have an option to pump and give her BM because I had no milk, I offered her an ounce of formula after each feeding for 2 days. I think she had a total of 1oz. over the 2 day period. Then I started pumping when she was 4 days old. This helped increase my milk supply dramatically so I no longer needed to supplement her. It was a rough few weeks since I was nursing or pumping what felt like most of the day. I felt it was worth it 100%. If you want to keep BF'ing, you can do it with minimal supplements (of formula or BM) until your supply increases. Some other great suppply boosters are fenugreek vitamins, mothers milk tea and oatmeal. I froze the milk I pumped and defrosted it to feed her when I needed to run out or wanted my DH to take a night feeding. To defrost it I put the bag or container into a glass of hot water until it seemed defrosted. Then you have to shake it well to be sure there are no hot sposts. Fresh BM can be left at room temp for 8-10 hours. If you are going to freeze it then you have to do it immediately after pumping or within a day of when you put it in the fridge.

Emmasmom Posted: Jan 19, 2004 04:30 PM

Re: Question about supplementing

Since Emma would not latch on, I pumped and fed for 8 weeks. I very quickly learned that your body will produce as much as you ask of it (as I did not want to pump during the night but did not want to give large amounts of formula). So the more you start pumping, the more your body will produce. Lots of luck. It will get easier.