changing from mixed feeding to formula only

[marthahm]

am running out of milk. have tried everything to increase it but no good. dd is 11 weeks old and has had to start formula as underweight. on expressing with good pump only get 1 oz each side. does this mean i can just drop feeds rapidly as well as drop expressing (was expressing between feeds). terrified of ending up with mastitis

[LIZS]

Well done for getting thus far . Do you want to stop ? Expressing is a technique and in tiself and bears no relation to the amoutn your baby has direct from breast. You may yet be able to reestablish a good supply if you would like to^ despite this, in which case ring one of the Breastfeeding Counselling numbers asap for advice if you haven't already. If you are choosing to stop then I'd do it gradually, one feed at a time, with a space of a few days in between to allow your supply to adapt.

[laundrylover]

I agree with LIZS although you don't say what you have tried so far so maybe you've already seen a counsellor?

It would make more sense to feed your DD on the occasions when you are currently expressing as she will get more milk this way and your supply will respond better.

When you say she is underweight what do you mean exactly?

Sorry if you have been though all this before on MN but I haven't seen any previous posts from you.

[marthahm]

hi laundrylover and lisz. have tried EVERYTHING -i think...(after finding out she had dropped from 75th to 9th centile with just bf).
bed rest,demand feeding every 3 hours, expressing in between feeds with double pump, drinking special teas, taking fenugreek, brewers yeast, omega 3 and 6 and multivitamin. drinking way more than 2 litres water. eating carbs at least every 3 hours.
i did want to feed for 6 months but each feeding session is now taking 2 hours on average-1 hour at least swapping breasts when lo gets frustrated. then giving ebm, then formula, then sitting down to express after. it's not working, i'm getting anxious and exhausted and worry about running out of milk if i do anything. she takes about 5-8 floz after feeding from me. i then only get 2oz from expressing-even in middle of night. so...enough is enough
you both reckon 1 feed every few days?

[laundrylover]

First off Martha I wouldn't worry too much about the drop off as long as she is still putting on weight each week. That said I did mix feed my first as I felt pressurised into it. Soooo why not carry on mixed feeding and get the best of both worlds? I would suggest bfing when out and about (she will get quicker soon!) and during the day in front of the TV/with a good book etc. and then formula at bedtime and through the night if needed. Or alternatively you could bf at night if it's easier and you're co-sleeping etc.

I would say to stop expressing completely and definately during the night!!!! You won't get mastitis this way but your boobs will be nice and full for a lovely morning feed.

Does this make sense as I am contradicting my earlier advice of more frequent bfeeds! This way you get to take away your stress and still bf for a while longer if it works out - I did until 8 months.

If you do want to stop completely then give yourself a huge pat on the back for getting this far.....if you want to mix feed then keep us posted on here.

BTW if your boobs do start to feel uncomfortable take Ibruprofen as it's anti immflamatory.....

[LIZS]

Sounds as if you've put yourself through the mill but all that was on the advice of ? . tbh the 3 hourly feeds advice doesn't sound like it was sufficient to stimulate your supply

I'd go for one feed at a time, if you are decided, but intially drop the expressing for a few days. btw the bf helpliens may be able to give advbcie on this too.

[Twinklemegan]

Good advice from laundrylover. I have recently been through a very similar experience. If you do feel OK about giving up breastfeeding eventually (and it does sound like a huge amount of work you're doing at the moment - well done!) then why not start by giving up expressing - it's such a dreadful faff. Keep on offering both breasts at every feed before giving formula. It could be that you can sustain this level of breastfeeding without your milk dropping off any further for quite some time.

Above all, again if you truly are OK about the possibility of your milk drying up, then try to relax and enjoy the breastfeeding you have left. At least make the last few weeks of breastfeeding really positive and enjoyable. Try to think less about how much milk your DD is getting from you and more about the lovely bonding experience. On a practical level, this will wind down the breastfeeding gradually so you're unlikely to end up with mastitis.

However, if you're not sure you are OK about giving up the breastfeeding then get yourself some help and advice ASAP.