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How can I stop supplementing?

My breastfed baby wasn't satisfied, wasn't gaining weight, was losing weight, was dehydrated, wasn't having enough wet or poopy diapers, and acted like he was starving to death even though he nursed almost constantly. I would nurse him for 40 to 50 minutes at a time and then 10-20 minutes later he wanted to nurse again. The longest he ever went without nursing was 2 hours. So at about 3 weeks I started supplementing. I have pcos, which makes it harder for me to produce enough milk (some women with pcos don't have trouble with it). I went to 2 different certified lactation consultants and tried everything under the sun- herbs, oats, reglan, metformin (it can help some women produce more who have pcos and are insulin resistant), pumping, etc.

He is 8 weeks now and I still BF at least every two hours and then supplement and pump (nothing comes out when I pump and it is a hospital grade pump). He is finally gaining and is a much happier baby. But I want to quit supplementing. I'm tired of the dirty looks I get in public because I give my baby a bottle after I nurse and I'm tired of all the rude people on forums that make me feel like crap for supplementing (some are nice and actually helpful and supportive). And I hate buying expensive formula. And people keep trying to tell me that I can't keep doing both, that I need to do one or the other. Why does BF have to all or nothing?! Still I want to try only BF again. I think maybe now that I'm recovered from some complications from the birth I had that I will have more energy to deal with it.

Sooo, how do I stop supplementing? Do I back off of it gradually or just throw out all the bottles at once? And how do I deal with the screaming baby? I've tried skipping some supplemental feedings and he cries and screams and will BF but still acts as if he's still very hungry. It feels so cruel to not feed a hungry baby. I know, I know, the more I BF, the more milk there will be and then he won't be hungry. But how do I get through that time until there is enough milk (if there ever will be)? It just feels like abuse to not supplement at least a little bit to get him to the next BFing. I feel like such a horrible monster because I can't feed my baby the "normal" way. :(

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Anonymous

Asked by Anonymous at 6:23 AM on Feb. 15, 2012 in Babies (0-12 months)

Answers (5)
  • Well obviously for the health of your baby you can't stop supplementing. I always did both. I nursed at home and fed formula when I worked of was out. It was the best of both worlds. I never noticed any dirty looks. Who cares anyway? Screw em!!!!
    mompam

    Answer by mompam at 7:45 AM on Feb. 15, 2012

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  • Have you tried a supplemental nursing system? That's what helped me get to the point where I was producing enough milk for my 4th. It isn't the easiest thing in the world, but for me it was worth it. I used it for 3 weeks and then was producing enough on my own for him and nursed him until he was 11 months.
    missanc

    Answer by missanc at 7:45 AM on Feb. 15, 2012

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  • It makes no sense to me to stop supplementing your baby because of perceived negativity from the public. If that is what he needs to gain weight and grow then why would you even entertain the notion of not doing it?

    I'm completely supportive of you wanting to increase your milk supply in addition to supplementing but, really, is it benefiting your child to stop feeding him adequately?
    BrawnwynII

    Answer by BrawnwynII at 8:07 AM on Feb. 15, 2012

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  • I would advise you to see an IBCLC for help here, they can help determine if you have a true supply/production problem, and if supplementing is necessary. LLL can also help. When you were EBF, he was losing, a lot? How were diapers during the time before you supplemented? BF does not have to be all or nothing, and if you are in the small percentage of women who cannot breastfeed, or exclusively breastfeed, that does not mean that you are a bad mother, or anything bad about you. You are doing what you feel is best for your child to grow and thrive, how can that be bad?
    Krysta622

    Answer by Krysta622 at 7:23 PM on Feb. 15, 2012

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  • Nursing every two hours is normal. Indeed, that's not very frequent for a newborn... expect 17-20 hours a day of nursing. The only thing that was alarming in your list was the dipe count and dehydration.

    I agree with Krysta. You need to see an IBCLC. You may nbever be able to stop supplementing, frankly. I wouldn't worry much about it. The ONLY bad mother is the one who beats her baby. PERIOD.
    gdiamante

    Answer by gdiamante at 12:20 AM on Feb. 16, 2012

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