Not pumping enough for daycare, WWYD?

[mschanandelerbong]

Nathan is 8 months.  I've nursed and pumped this whole time, and I have a freezer stash, but it's going to run out in about a week and I'm not pumping enough for him.  He usually drinks 3 bottles at daycare, 5 oz each, and has solids around lunchtime.  Once my freezer stash runs out, I'll probably be one bottle short each day.  I exclusively nurse on the weekends and he does fine, doesn't seem hungry or cranky.  But he also wakes up later on the weekends so that's probably why he's ok eating a little less.  Would you try to replace one of the bottles with solids or replace with formula?  I'd like to try solids and see how he does, but I don't want to starve him!  Right now he has solids twice a day, lunch and dinner.  I'd probably try to switch out one of the afternoon bottles.  WDYT?  What are your babies doing these days?

Here's his rough weekday schedule:
7:15 - Nurse
9:30 - Bottle (he seems to really need a bottle at this time)
11:30 - Oatmeal and pouch
2:00 - Bottle
4:00 - Bottle
5:30 - Dinner

[London]

How would you feel about doing bottles 50-50 with BM and formula? It would be help make up the difference from your current pump supply, and buys you some time to figure out if you want to keep up or stop pumping for DC.

[sandj918]

I'm running into this with C right now. I'm supplementing one bottle a day with formula. Right now it's just 1-2 ounces of formula in 2-3 ounces of breastmilk.

[mschanandelerbong]

May 25, 2016 10:41:45 GMT -5 London said:

How would you feel about doing bottles 50-50 with BM and formula? It would be help make up the difference from your current pump supply, and buys you some time to figure out if you want to keep up or stop pumping for DC.

I'm not sure.  I'd have to make sure he would take it.  Don't you have to dump formula that doesn't get used?  I might just rather put the formula in one bottle so I don't risk losing breastmilk.

[uclameghan]

I would see if he could add another solids meal in there and also a sippy with a few oz of water. I feel like we're far enough along to 12 months to start leaning that way. That being said, if he isn't into it, I don't think it's a huge deal to do a formula bottle instead.

Have you considered splitting one of those 5 oz bottles into a 3oz plus solids and then a 2 oz comfort 'snack?' If he's doing well on the weekend, he might just need the comfort of x sessions with a bottle?

[mschanandelerbong]

I think I'll get some mother's milk tea, I haven't tried that yet.

[sandj918]

May 25, 2016 11:23:15 GMT -5 mschanandelerbong said:

I think I'll get some mother's milk tea, I haven't tried that yet.

There's a website: mrsmilk.com and they sell all sorts of milk increasing treats. I have some of the Indian Chai Tea (unopened) that I can't use now. I can ship it to you if you'd like. It's very strong and good with a bit of honey and milk.

[mschanandelerbong]

May 25, 2016 11:25:27 GMT -5 sandj918 said:

May 25, 2016 11:23:15 GMT -5 mschanandelerbong said:

I think I'll get some mother's milk tea, I haven't tried that yet.

There's a website: mrsmilk.com and they sell all sorts of milk increasing treats. I have some of the Indian Chai Tea (unopened) that I can't use now. I can ship it to you if you'd like. It's very strong and good with a bit of honey and milk.

Ok sure, thank you!  I'll send you a FB message.

[London]

May 25, 2016 11:15:38 GMT -5 mschanandelerbong said:

May 25, 2016 10:41:45 GMT -5 London said:

How would you feel about doing bottles 50-50 with BM and formula? It would be help make up the difference from your current pump supply, and buys you some time to figure out if you want to keep up or stop pumping for DC.

I'm not sure.  I'd have to make sure he would take it.  Don't you have to dump formula that doesn't get used?  I might just rather put the formula in one bottle so I don't risk losing breastmilk.

I would refer to a formula feeding mom for the specifics, it's been awhile since A had a formula bottle. I think it does have to get thrown out if he doesn't finish it though.

[healz413]

May 25, 2016 11:31:32 GMT -5 London said:

May 25, 2016 11:15:38 GMT -5 mschanandelerbong said:

I'm not sure.  I'd have to make sure he would take it.  Don't you have to dump formula that doesn't get used?  I might just rather put the formula in one bottle so I don't risk losing breastmilk.

I would refer to a formula feeding mom for the specifics, it's been awhile since A had a formula bottle. I think it does have to get thrown out if he doesn't finish it though.

Yes, at least the Canadian standards are that a formula bottle they have started has to be dumped if they don't finish it within an hour.

AFM-- I pump 2 of Ellis's 3 bottles while I'm at work and the third is formula. I exclusively breastfeed on the weekend and she gets enough. My assumption has been that this is because she is getting more from breastfeeding than I am getting from the pump.

As for replacing with solids, I really don't know. Ellis is starting to show a preference for solids during the day and I'm wondering the same thing. When do we start letting them self-wean? I'm planning to ask our doctor when we see her for our late 9 month appt in a few weeks.

[eliza040502]

May 25, 2016 11:15:38 GMT -5 mschanandelerbong said:

May 25, 2016 10:41:45 GMT -5 London said:

How would you feel about doing bottles 50-50 with BM and formula? It would be help make up the difference from your current pump supply, and buys you some time to figure out if you want to keep up or stop pumping for DC.

I'm not sure.  I'd have to make sure he would take it.  Don't you have to dump formula that doesn't get used?  I might just rather put the formula in one bottle so I don't risk losing breastmilk.

I send four bottles to daycare - 2 of bm and 2 of formula. I never mix because I don't want to waste bm and formula is supposed to be tossed after an hour out of the fridge.

[eliza040502]

May 25, 2016 12:27:03 GMT -5 pineapplesmoothie said:

But don't you have to dump the breast milk after an hour too, once their mouth has been on it?

Kelly mom posts several studies on this issue. They conclude that it is "probably safe to save the left over milk for use at the next feeding."

[britbratjf]

May 25, 2016 15:38:19 GMT -5 Fearsy said:

I've always been told that food before one year old is just for fun, not nutritional value (although of course there are benefits to solids). So if I were in your situation, I would either pump on the evenings/weekends to make up for it or replace with formula.

But at the same time, they don't just hit 1 and magically start eating all the solids. It's definitely something you work up to. By 10/11 months DD1 was still nursing 4 times a day but she also ate 3 meals and 2 snacks. I think it's a balance. OP I would definitely try and add a breakfast "meal". We do Cheerios & half a container of fruit purée or yogurt.

[mandy522]

May 25, 2016 11:47:26 GMT -5 healz413 said:

May 25, 2016 11:31:32 GMT -5 London said:

I would refer to a formula feeding mom for the specifics, it's been awhile since A had a formula bottle. I think it does have to get thrown out if he doesn't finish it though.

Yes, at least the Canadian standards are that a formula bottle they have started has to be dumped if they don't finish it within an hour.

AFM-- I pump 2 of Ellis's 3 bottles while I'm at work and the third is formula. I exclusively breastfeed on the weekend and she gets enough. My assumption has been that this is because she is getting more from breastfeeding than I am getting from the pump.

As for replacing with solids, I really don't know. Ellis is starting to show a preference for solids during the day and I'm wondering the same thing. When do we start letting them self-wean? I'm planning to ask our doctor when we see her for our late 9 month appt in a few weeks.

Average milk intake starts to taper off between 10-12 mos. on avg a breastfed baby takes 25oz between 1-10 months and then it falls to 17 by age 1, I think? I can't remember. But either way at this point milk should definitely be the primary source of food, so any kind of weaning may be a bit premature.

That being said, my kids love solids as well and I've seen a (small) change in the amount C drinks already. He's definitely still primarily milk, but I can't exactly force him to nurse or take a bottle. I personally would not withhold solids in order to force more milk if she's eating well, but I also wouldn't offer solids first or as a replacement for a bottle.

[junewife]

I know this is stressful! Hugs. Remember that there is absolutely nothing wrong with supplementing formula. With ds1, I was so obsessed with being able to EBF that I had a huge hangup about mixing in some formula to his bottles when I traveled for work. In hindsight it was 100000% not worth the stress.

If I were you, I would work on introducing him to the taste of formula before your stash runs out. Start with a bottle that's 80% BM and 20% formula (if you're afraid to waste a lot of milk, make him a small bottle with 2oz milk and half ounce formula). That way you know whether he'll tolerate the taste, and you can gradually change the ratio to be more formula.

Of course you can also add extra pumps and do things like take fenugreek, etc. But IMHO the extra pumps aren't worth it at this point.

Also, I think you can add another solids meal at DC and maybe send 4oz bottles instead of 5oz. DS2 gets solids at breakfast and lunch (2-4oz each serving) and 3 bottles (3-3.5oz each). Occasionally he's extra hungry and takes a 4th bottle, but even on those days he's not getting 15oz of milk. He's there for 8 hours fwiw.

Good luck!

[britbratjf]

May 25, 2016 17:11:55 GMT -5 Fearsy said:

May 25, 2016 16:38:56 GMT -5 britbratjf said:

But at the same time, they don't just hit 1 and magically start eating all the solids. It's definitely something you work up to. By 10/11 months DD1 was still nursing 4 times a day but she also ate 3 meals and 2 snacks. I think it's a balance. OP I would definitely try and add a breakfast "meal". We do Cheerios & half a container of fruit purée or yogurt.

Right. But my point is that until one year old, the main source of nutrients is breastmilk or formula, not solids. You work up to it by one year old, when the transition is made. Not at 8 months.

True. I should have added in addition to the other suggestions of the 3 oz bottle & 2 oz snack idea thrown out. It's probably a good idea to have daycare start doing a second meal.

[PamBeeslyHalpert]

b thank you so much for sharing all of this!!!

I've mentioned before my concern for my niece who is 5 weeks older than Oliver and had had weight gain issues from day 1.
Recently MSIL said she was tired of breastfeeding and replaced a meal with solids and a 4oz sippy cup of formula. The main issue was that my niece would just bite the sippy cup and would end up drinking maybe 1oz and ended up "asking" for more solids (2-3 4oz containers 3-3 times a day). I tried telling MSIL that she shouldn't be replacing milk with solids, and she might have to start BF more since the baby refused a bottle. She didn't really listen and I didn't want to intrude too much since I don't really know how hard BF can be since I had to EP.
Well, turns out she had her 9 month app and she dropped a lot in the weight curve and the pedi said it was very likely due to lack of milk intake. My niece was just filling herself up with solids and not nursing or drinking enough formula.

I know it's an extreme case and I'm sorry for the long message, but just be careful when introducing too many solids. Milk still needs to their #1 food for nutrients.

[mowkey]

May 26, 2016 7:39:14 GMT -5 pineapplesmoothie said:

I can't believe the babies will eat so much solids. Mine eats maybe an ounce of the Gerber baby food in the rectangular pack, 2 times per day. One is like 2-3 meals. My baby is not feeling the food quite yet, I guess. Amazing how different they all are.

This is us. She maybe goes through one pouch per day.  She does love eating whatever I am for dinner though.

[mschanandelerbong]

Thanks guys. I think I'm going to get some formula to have on hand and follow his cues with the solids. So my next question is...what kind of formula should I try?? If you BF and give formula, what brand do you get? (I gave DD1 some formula but I can't remember what brand, mom fail.)

[BookishMomma]

May 25, 2016 11:15:38 GMT -5 mschanandelerbong said:

May 25, 2016 10:41:45 GMT -5 London said:

How would you feel about doing bottles 50-50 with BM and formula? It would be help make up the difference from your current pump supply, and buys you some time to figure out if you want to keep up or stop pumping for DC.

I'm not sure.  I'd have to make sure he would take it.  Don't you have to dump formula that doesn't get used?  I might just rather put the formula in one bottle so I don't risk losing breastmilk.

This has always been my philosophy. I don't mind if I have to dump a little bit of formula, but dumping BM makes me ragey.

ETA: We've supplemented since Henry was about 2 months old, just to get him used to formula, since I had a hard time keeping up with supply with DS1. Ironically, my supply is fine this time around. But giving the occasional bottle of formula helped me build a freezer stash while I was on maternity leave. Now I'm back at work 3 days a week. On those days, Henry usually gets one bottle of formula at some point, in addition to pumped BM. When I'm home with him, he just nurses, unless I need a break, in which case DH gives him a bottle of formula or frozen BM. Often it's formula because DH is too impatient to thaw the BM and heat it to the right temp while Henry is crying. My supply has been fine throughout all of this except for one time when I was sick it dipped for about a week, then came back up when I got better.

Anyway, all this to say that breastfeeding is not an all or nothing lifestyle. 

In terms of formula brand, we do Baby's Only. But we've also tried Enfamil and that worked fine, too. 

[BookishMomma]

May 25, 2016 18:07:31 GMT -5 junewife said:

I know this is stressful! Hugs. Remember that there is absolutely nothing wrong with supplementing formula. With ds1, I was so obsessed with being able to EBF that I had a huge hangup about mixing in some formula to his bottles when I traveled for work. In hindsight it was 100000% not worth the stress.

+1 I stressed myself so much about this with DS1.

[eliza040502]

We use Honest Co. (And Bf). We started with Babys Only, but after a while it seemee to cause a lot of spit up.

[healz413]

We use nestle good start because it was on sale when we had to buy formula at about 3 weeks old and I was having a hard time with that so I just chose the formula that was on sale.