formula feeders

[musicfrk2002]

I am not sure my milk ever came in actually...but some advice I have heard from others:
-keep a cabbage in the freezer, stick a frozen leaf on each breast until they wilt then replace
-wear a tight and supportive bra
-someone also said use an abdominal binder instead of a bra

[tatersalad]

I'm so glad you posted this. I breastfed my first until 3 months and hated every second of it, so we came to the decision that I would go straight to formula this time. I've found it really interesting that there is almost no information out there for moms who choose formula over nursing, especially when it comes to engorgement.
I toyed with the idea of doing colostrum only and ultimately decided the ease of formula right from the get go outweighed the benefits for me, but if I'd followed through on the idea I think I would have pumped all the colostrum to bottle feed in addition to formula. That way I could decrease pumps before stopping completely just like I did with breastfed kid #1.
I'm on day 3 post partum and my boobs are mildly engorged, nothing too crazy or painful. I'm wearing a minimizer bra with a sports bra over it, and avoiding any hot water spray on my breasts in the shower. So far so good, and only one night time bottle feed to worry about sharing with hubby. I don't regret making the decision to go formula first and wished I'd done it as a FTM. Is that a FFMC?

ETA: I'm also wearing a post partum girdle again and can't recommend it enough. The compression and support have been amazing for my back pain and abdominal support.

[txngrl31]

Thanks for posting this! I was starting to believe that I was the only one not breastfeeding.

I'm 4 weeks post partum. I breastfed exclusively for the first week, and due to painful feedings and limited milk supply, I decided to first supplement with formula with pumped breast milk being fed every other feeding. By week three, my supply was very low, so I started pumping every other day to relieve pressure. Today, at week four, it feels like there is no need to pump, but I have been getting feelings of fullness and small leakages. I've been wearing a nursing bra at night, and if I wear my normal bras, I insert nursing pads, just in case.

[laurenlou83]

I'll be 4wks PP on Thursday and we switched strictly to FF after about 2wks. I had been pumping and/or feeding constantly the first couple of weeks, so I had a painful couple of days drying up, but now I'm good!
Ibuprofen, ice packs, tight sports bra, my OBs nurse said to wrap an ace bandage around your boobs-the tightness of it helps.
I slowly decreased my pumping sessions, and then cut them completely. I hand expressed a couple of times to relieve some pressure, but mostly left them alone and didn't touch or stimulate them at all.
I'm glad I'm not alone in the FF!! BFing just didn't work for us and I had some major guilt over it for a few days. We are all just much happier now that we are sticking to formula!

[mcp6286]

I'm strictly formula feeding because the medication I take for my IBS is a class C drug and they told me I shouldn't risk passing that on to the baby. In all honesty, I'm happy as a clam over here about it! Both DH and I get to bond with the baby, he can feed her at night (score!), and I've been able to enjoy her first week of life without the stress I watched my BFF go through when she started breastfeeding. I also think this thread is a great idea...it def starts to feel lonely as a formula mom and like tatersalad pointed out, there is so little out there in the way of help/information. My pediatrician told us that babies who are strictly formula-fed from the start tend to be calmer and happier (because they're not hungry and mom isn't stressed) and gain weight better. Hearing a medical professional give some validation to my choice felt really good amongst a sea of people who keep saying things like, "You won't go off your meds for a chance to BF your baby?" Uh no because if I do, I won't be able to get out of bed to care for her!

I have had insane engorgement issues. My boobs are like rocks. I've been wearing sports bras 24/7, drinking peppermint tea, keeping the water off my boobs and slightly colder in the shower, and having DH do LO's skin-to-skin the past few days. It has helped. As much as it kills me, limiting skin to skin has been the advice that helped most. Whenever I just can't take it anymore and snuggle her up on my chest, I'm always rewarded with a resurgence of milk/pain. When my milk came in on Thurs (3 days PP) it was super painful and since has been tapering off a little each day. I'm hoping to be all dried up by the end of this week so I can resume marathon skin to skin snuggles soon!

[laurenlou83]

I started following Scarymommy on FB and this showed up on my newsfeed this morning. Just thought I'd share with all you ladies
www.scarymommy.com/articles/mom-who-didnt-breastfeed/

[khaze]

Jun 21, 2015 21:05:13 GMT -5 @jemomma said:

For personal reasons H and I decided that we are going to formula feed instead of breastfeed. I will still give baby the colostrum, but once milk comes in we are switching to formula, unless LO turns out to be a champ at the breast, in which case I will give it a shot.

Anyways, do you ladies have any tricks to prevent engorgement once milk comes in? Will you be pumping to diminish supply until you dry up? Any tips at all would be helpful With my previous 2 I pumped and bottle fed until my milk dried up, but that was over the course of 6 months. Any helpful hints to dry up quicker without being too painful?

Thanks in advance girls!

I never breastfed my first, and will not with this LO either.  There is really no way to prevent engorgement, the cabbage leaves can help, or you can try ice/heat on them to help, plus Ibuprofen for pain.  You definitely do NOT want to pump anything, that will just make your milk keep coming in.  Just keep them wrapped up 24/7 in a good sports bra and try not to touch them a lot.  You'll still need some thin breast pads for leaks.  Some people will dry up within a week, I took about 4 weeks to dry up, although I was only in pain for a few days. 

[tatersalad]

@jemomma I actually had to look up formula feeding charts on Pinterest to get an idea of what to expect as far as a feeding schedule. Texas Ranger is over 8lbs and took 25ml at his first feeding after delivery. The nurses said to use that as a baseline to start at and feed every 3-4 hours. He has been averaging between 30-40ml for feeds every four hours.

And I spoke too soon about my engorgement. I went from Pam Anderson at 5am to Dolly Parton at noon. I might try an ace bandage in addition to the bra and sports bra, but they don't hurt nearly as much as they did when I was nursing so that is comforting.

[junch817]

Jun 22, 2015 4:25:39 GMT -5 tatersalad said:

I'm so glad you posted this. I breastfed my first until 3 months and hated every second of it, so we came to the decision that I would go straight to formula this time. I've found it really interesting that there is almost no information out there for moms who choose formula over nursing, especially when it comes to engorgement.
I toyed with the idea of doing colostrum only and ultimately decided the ease of formula right from the get go outweighed the benefits for me, but if I'd followed through on the idea I think I would have pumped all the colostrum to bottle feed in addition to formula. That way I could decrease pumps before stopping completely just like I did with breastfed kid #1.
I'm on day 3 post partum and my boobs are mildly engorged, nothing too crazy or painful. I'm wearing a minimizer bra with a sports bra over it, and avoiding any hot water spray on my breasts in the shower. So far so good, and only one night time bottle feed to worry about sharing with hubby. I don't regret making the decision to go formula first and wished I'd done it as a FTM. Is that a FFMC?

ETA: I'm also wearing a post partum girdle again and can't recommend it enough. The compression and support have been amazing for my back pain and abdominal support.

Can you share what girdle you have? Thanks!

[mcp6286]

@jemomma, my hospital is pro-breastfeeding but I took a hard stance from the get-go and told them that I wanted the lactation consultants kept away because I was 100% firm in my decision. They respected it and luckily my pediatrician is very supportive of FF. As far as peppermint, the tea and Altoids were suggested to me in another thread and they seem to be helping! I hope engorgement doesn't get you as badly as it got me. Mine is finally starting to get better (today's the 5th day) but I still have a ways to go before I can get back into my real bras!

[tatersalad]

Jun 22, 2015 11:16:19 GMT -5 @jemomma said:

Thanks tatersalad, I was wondering about amounts to give at first. Everything I find is so vague, like "2-4oz from birth to 4 months old." Its like, alright that is so not helpful lol.

Were you ladies given a hard time by doctors and nurses while you were in the hospital about your decision? My hospital is very pro-breastfeeding and I really don't want a guilt trip while I am there.

My hospital is so pro breastfeeding it is ridiculous. The first bottle of formula they brought me to use in the delivery room was EXPIRED. I told them I had packed my own formula and bottles and was happy to use those, but they apologized profusely and hunted down some that was okay to use. The nurses looked at me a little funny when I asked so many questions about how much and when to feed since they knew I was a second time mom. Once I explained that I had exclusively breastfed/pumped with my first and just wasn't up to the struggle of managing that again along with a toddler they were all very understanding.

[alayne926]

I ff with DS and will do the same with this LO. Personal choice by DH and I.

I found that sports bras 24/7, cold, and backwards showers were really the only thing that helped with engorgement. I think I really only had like 3-4 REALLY painful days and then they started to get back to normal.

My hospital was very pro-breast feeding, but I just put on my paperwork formula and didn't hear another word about it.

[Deleted]

Jun 22, 2015 6:29:59 GMT -5 mcp6286 said:

I'm strictly formula feeding because the medication I take for my IBS is a class C drug and they told me I shouldn't risk passing that on to the baby. In all honesty, I'm happy as a clam over here about it! Both DH and I get to bond with the baby, he can feed her at night (score!), and I've been able to enjoy her first week of life without the stress I watched my BFF go through when she started breastfeeding. I also think this thread is a great idea...it def starts to feel lonely as a formula mom and like tatersalad pointed out, there is so little out there in the way of help/information. My pediatrician told us that babies who are strictly formula-fed from the start tend to be calmer and happier (because they're not hungry and mom isn't stressed) and gain weight better. Hearing a medical professional give some validation to my choice felt really good amongst a sea of people who keep saying things like, "You won't go off your meds for a chance to BF your baby?" Uh no because if I do, I won't be able to get out of bed to care for her!

I have had insane engorgement issues. My boobs are like rocks. I've been wearing sports bras 24/7, drinking peppermint tea, keeping the water off my boobs and slightly colder in the shower, and having DH do LO's skin-to-skin the past few days. It has helped. As much as it kills me, limiting skin to skin has been the advice that helped most. Whenever I just can't take it anymore and snuggle her up on my chest, I'm always rewarded with a resurgence of milk/pain. When my milk came in on Thurs (3 days PP) it was super painful and since has been tapering off a little each day. I'm hoping to be all dried up by the end of this week so I can resume marathon skin to skin snuggles soon!

FYI pregnancy category C meds means nothing about the meds safety in breastfeeding, the safety rating systems are totally different cause the mechanics of med transfer from pregnancy thru the placenta is different than the transfer of meds thru your blood stream thru the mammary epithelium to create breastmilk. 

I'm saying that not necessarily for you, but in case someone else reads this and thinks that the med they need for breastfeeding might not be safe cause of the pregnancy classification of the medicine.  So be sure to get the most up to date info on the transfer of any drug in breastfeeding by calling the Infant Risk Hotline at the Texas Tech School of Medicine.  It's run by Dr. Hale the expert on drugs in lactation.

[Deleted]

Now to dry up milk, since the majority of moms who start out breastfeeding are formula feeding by 6 mos post partum, most will experience wanting to dry up their milk, some faster than others.



They used to prescribe med or give a shot to dry up milk for those who chose formula. Unfortunately the side effect of stroke for moms in high % led to that no longer being a common practice.



Wear a firm supporting bra. Do not bind the breasts, that is old school advice that may lead to painful clogged ducts and mastitis. Just wear good support without decorations or places that pinch or bind.



Limit any touching rubbing massaging breasts or facing shower. these will encourage milk to leak out. A little bit of leaking is nbd, but pumping signals a let down and tends to prolong any engorgement as your body thinks you removed milk and now want more milk. Some moms do encourage a bit of leaking or hand expressing if they are about to explode and just can't take it anymore.



If you are going to nurse for colostrum and then transition to formula as your milk comes in, you may find that you initially need to pump some, but you would aim to pump less oz and less amt of time every day to lower supply more slowly. Bonus anything you get when pumping you could give baby, or freeze for their first cold even. Some take the tack that if they are going to make milk they might as well use it and pump a bit to maintain that supply a bit longer even as they transfer to formula. All of these things are options to consider.

Skin to skin with baby raises mom's prolactin breastfeeding hormone and the smell and touch and cries of baby encouraged let down. So short term lowering of skin to skin with baby can really help to lower supply.

Cabbage leaves cold in your bra helps with engorgement. Change as often as they get limp or hot.

Being slightly dehydrated for a day or two can slow milk production considerably. Like don't kill yourself, but since you need 25 oz more water to make milk, then cut back to just your own 8 glasses of water a day.

Sage lowers supply, you can get a sage tea.
Peppermint also lowers supply,it's a temporary reduction, but in combination with not removing milk from the breast, that should help considerably. You can get it as a tea with sage or plain or just get a bunch of peppermint candy or peppermint extract to add to your own tea or drinks.

Usually it's worse for about 3-5 days. Some are lucky in that without nursing their milk comes in and goes out all in the same about 12 hour time period.

Cool compresses and motrin to help with swelling and inflammation as well as pain.

Good luck.

[mcp6286]

@amyg, thanks for clarifying...I prob should have specified that we saw three different specialists prior to getting pregnant to determine how to handle my medications during pregnancy and were told that this particular drug is more dangerous when passed through breastmilk than it is during pregnancy. I def advocate everyone doing research in their own unique situation! I know that I certainly felt better when multiple doctors at prestigious hospitals all gave me the same answer!

[Deleted]

Jun 22, 2015 15:56:05 GMT -5 mcp6286 said:

@amyg, thanks for clarifying...I prob should have specified that we saw three different specialists prior to getting pregnant to determine how to handle my medications during pregnancy and were told that this particular drug is more dangerous when passed through breastmilk than it is during pregnancy. I def advocate everyone doing research in their own unique situation! I know that I certainly felt better when multiple doctors at prestigious hospitals all gave me the same answer!

So was it rated L4 or L5 for breastfeeding?  Just being nosy.  There are very few drugs that have that rating.  You can pm me if you want to answer, or just ignore me. lol!

[mcp6286]

Jun 22, 2015 16:00:31 GMT -5 @amyg said:

Jun 22, 2015 15:56:05 GMT -5 mcp6286 said:

@amyg, thanks for clarifying...I prob should have specified that we saw three different specialists prior to getting pregnant to determine how to handle my medications during pregnancy and were told that this particular drug is more dangerous when passed through breastmilk than it is during pregnancy. I def advocate everyone doing research in their own unique situation! I know that I certainly felt better when multiple doctors at prestigious hospitals all gave me the same answer!

So was it rated L4 or L5 for breastfeeding?  Just being nosy.  There are very few drugs that have that rating.  You can pm me if you want to answer, or just ignore me. lol!

No I don't mind! It's an L4, still in clinical trials. There's a very strict prescribing program for it, even when one isn't pregnant or nursing. Only certain doctors can prescribe it and only after proving with extensive testing that their patient is in the top 6% of sufferers in the country based upon severity level. It has extremely severe potential side effects in adults and so due to its high toxicity level, all of the specialists and my GI agreed with the available literature that I either needed to discontinue the drug (not really an option) or FF.

[holliberry28]

I'm 3 days postpartum and because I had such guilt supplementing with formula, LO lost weight and became dehydrated. I feel like a terrible mom and will pump and give formula until/if I have a better supply.

I feel like i starved my poor baby and
My breasts are too huge for him to get enough milk. Everything I read before said first few days they are fine with what your body produces, but I don't think this was the case for me.

And everyone I asked said that they didn't supplement. Now I feel ridiculous that my guilt over giving formula could have made my baby sick.

Thankfully, after 2 good feeds, LO is sleeping and peeing and looking better and calmer so hopefully can figure this out.

[holliberry28]

Jun 22, 2015 20:19:21 GMT -5 @jemomma said:

holliberry28 never feel guilty about feeding baby, whether it is formula or breast milk. I'm sorry you and LO are having a tough time Don't be so hard on yourself, there is definitely a learning curve to all of this whether you are a first time mom or a third time mom, there are always questions and things you will encounter that you're not sure how to handle. Just make sure you are consulting with a doctor if you are truly concerned about baby's well being. I hope things get better for you!

Thanks @jemomma. We saw our pediatrician today and she was very supportive as long as were consistent 2 oz every 2-3 hours, hell do much better. Go back on Wednesday for a follow up.

[b0710]

**** dirty lurker here***

Hi ladies, I'm a mom of 2, and expecting my third in November. I had a breast reduction and tried to no end to breastfeed my first, but am missing some parts With my second I went straight to formula and it was a million times easier. Anyways, lots of great suggestions from previous ladies about how to reduce the milk. I didn't have that much, but I wanted to add that decongestants also help reduce your milk, since they're designed to dry up your body. I used them for about 5 days, plus cabbage leaves, tea, and no pumping or expressing. Hope that helps

[turtletyme]

Hi guys! Just popping in to say hey because I go here now. Like @holiberry28 my LO had weight loss and a little dehydration. She was crying through my attempts to BF and the pump was dry. The ped told me we need to focus on her weight gain and DH and I decided we should just go with formula. My milk still hasn't come in.

Do we need to stick with one type of formula (what we got in the hospital) or is there still time to choose one myself?

[txngrl31]

We use Enfamil Newborn. I bought a bunch of nursette bottles for when we trek out or head out of town.

[mcp6286]

Jun 24, 2015 3:13:02 GMT -5 turtletyme said:

Hi guys! Just popping in to say hey because I go here now. Like @holiberry28 my LO had weight loss and a little dehydration. She was crying through my attempts to BF and the pump was dry. The ped told me we need to focus on her weight gain and DH and I decided we should just go with formula. My milk still hasn't come in.

Do we need to stick with one type of formula (what we got in the hospital) or is there still time to choose one myself?

We use Enfamil Gentlease because it's our pediatrician's fave but I've got free samples of other brands that I'm def going to try. That stuff is expensive! Our pedi said that since Hayley tolerates the Gentlease well, trying regular newborn formula is fine too. However, she did caution us that no matter what brand we use, that the powder is much easier for babies to digest than the ready-to-use stuff. We got a couple packs of ready-to-use from the hospital, which will be our emergency stash, but the pedi said not to use it if we can prepare the powder instead.

Make sure to ask your dr office for samples at every appt! I've scored 5 free cans of formula this week alone (they get tons of full-size samples from the manufacturers)! That's like $125 saved right there!

[shahoi]

How are you momma's doing that are in the process of drying up your milk? I'm wanting to start the process, but very nervous of getting mastitis in the process.

[baytosa2013]

We are officially exclusively FF. she will still latch and I have a tiny bit of milk that that she gets but it's more for comfort and bonding.

To make it more complicated LO has a cow milk protein sensitivity so we are on the Similac Alimrntum. She's not reacting to the powder well so we changed to the ready to feed. Next step is neocate if this doesn't help the screaming and gas. That stuff is $56.00 a can!!! We are for serious going to be poor if we have to go to that. I don't know how we'd afford it. We make too much to qualify for assistance and the similac coupons are primarily for the powder. Of course I have enfamil coupons that I can't use lol

[mcp6286]

Jun 24, 2015 8:06:36 GMT -5 shahoi said:

How are you momma's doing that are in the process of drying up your milk? I'm wanting to start the process, but very nervous of getting mastitis in the process.

It took me 6 days but I'm finally dried up and back to my normal bras. I was seriously about to jump and cheer for joy! It doesn't take everyone that long though. What helped me most was a high-support sports bra with nursing pads in it, icing my boobs several times a day, and lukewarm showers where I kept my back to the water. Good luck...you can do it!

[laurenlou83]

Jun 24, 2015 7:33:38 GMT -5 michyme123 said:

Jun 24, 2015 3:13:02 GMT -5 turtletyme said:

Hi guys! Just popping in to say hey because I go here now. Like @holiberry28 my LO had weight loss and a little dehydration. She was crying through my attempts to BF and the pump was dry. The ped told me we need to focus on her weight gain and DH and I decided we should just go with formula. My milk still hasn't come in.

Do we need to stick with one type of formula (what we got in the hospital) or is there still time to choose one myself?

in our hospital they give Enfamil but once we got home we switched to Similac because we had a shit ton of $10 and $5 off coupons and would just buy on sale with those coupons. Love me a deal. So yes, you can switch it up

I had a bunch of samples: enfamil and Similac, both gentle and regular. Our ped told us it is okay to switch it up between them. She said to just pay attention if he gets more gassy or fussy, but typically babies are fine with switching between them. So far he has been the same on all them. After our samples are gone I am going to try the Target brand since it's cheaper!

[alayne926]

Jun 24, 2015 9:10:11 GMT -5 baytosa2013 said:

We are officially exclusively FF. she will still latch and I have a tiny bit of milk that that she gets but it's more for comfort and bonding.

To make it more complicated LO has a cow milk protein sensitivity so we are on the Similac Alimrntum. She's not reacting to the powder well so we changed to the ready to feed. Next step is neocate if this doesn't help the screaming and gas. That stuff is $56.00 a can!!! We are for serious going to be poor if we have to go to that. I don't know how we'd afford it. We make too much to qualify for assistance and the similac coupons are primarily for the powder. Of course I have enfamil coupons that I can't use lol

Can you get a prescription from the pedi to get it covered by insurance?  

[laurenlou83]

Jun 24, 2015 10:22:33 GMT -5 alayne926 said:

Jun 24, 2015 9:10:11 GMT -5 baytosa2013 said:

We are officially exclusively FF. she will still latch and I have a tiny bit of milk that that she gets but it's more for comfort and bonding.

To make it more complicated LO has a cow milk protein sensitivity so we are on the Similac Alimrntum. She's not reacting to the powder well so we changed to the ready to feed. Next step is neocate if this doesn't help the screaming and gas. That stuff is $56.00 a can!!! We are for serious going to be poor if we have to go to that. I don't know how we'd afford it. We make too much to qualify for assistance and the similac coupons are primarily for the powder. Of course I have enfamil coupons that I can't use lol

Can you get a prescription from the pedi to get it covered by insurance?  

I would definitely look.into this!! A friend of mine had to use that same formula with her now 3yo and her insurance covered it. She just needed a letter from her Dr.

[baytosa2013]

Jun 24, 2015 10:22:33 GMT -5 alayne926 said:

Jun 24, 2015 9:10:11 GMT -5 baytosa2013 said:

We are officially exclusively FF. she will still latch and I have a tiny bit of milk that that she gets but it's more for comfort and bonding.

To make it more complicated LO has a cow milk protein sensitivity so we are on the Similac Alimrntum. She's not reacting to the powder well so we changed to the ready to feed. Next step is neocate if this doesn't help the screaming and gas. That stuff is $56.00 a can!!! We are for serious going to be poor if we have to go to that. I don't know how we'd afford it. We make too much to qualify for assistance and the similac coupons are primarily for the powder. Of course I have enfamil coupons that I can't use lol

Can you get a prescription from the pedi to get it covered by insurance?  

She did call it in last night as an RX but I called our insurance (RX plan) yesterday and pretty much none of the stuff that could be considered over the counter is covered.  The Dr can try to call and get a pre auth but even then with our plan a brand non-formulary is a minimum co-pay of $75 which doesn't help us.  If it would be covered under the $25 or $30 copay then sure but I doubt it.  I have to call the pharmacy today to get it run under insurance to see what comes up.