Have you tried the herbal suppliment *fenugreek*? It's a supply booster and works wonders (for most people) within a couple of days. You can get it at most pharmacies that have a natural section. Even Walmart carries it.

for info...

http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/milksupply/fenugreek.html

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I ran into the same issue with my daughter. And I was home with her! I just could not produce the amount of milk she needed/wanted. She would get frustrated with me. So we began supplementing with formula. Eventually she gave up completely on me since I really just wasnt "doing it for her" and the bottle was. She was happier and that made me happier. I breast fed for 8 months. One month of that was with formula. Began her on "solids" at 6 months and she weaned herself from the bottle at about 14 months. 2 months longer than recommended as far as "bottle feeding" goes but she has always done everything on her own schedule.

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With the support of his doctor, I started Little Man on solids at around 5 months old. I mixed the rice cereal with my own breast milk, so he was still getting the nutrition, but he was also getting the extra boost from the solids. I still breast-fed him until he weaned himself around 7-8 months, but the gradual introduction of the solids really took the pressure off of me. Especially since it meant that I didn't have to pump *nearly* as much.

Just for the record, I'm a SAHM, and never did daycare. But I had the challenge of a child who HATED bottles, and wouldn't drink from anything but me until about 3 1/2 months of age, when I discovered the Adiri Bottle, which is designed to look and feel like a real breast.

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When we had to supplement with formula, we made 2 ounces of formula and added 2 ounces of breastmilk to each bottle, or whatever ratio is best. It helped our son's tummy when it wasn't total formula in a bottle.

Eventually, I had to wean him off of breastmilk because of some issues I was having, and we just increased the ratio of formula to breastmilk until our freezer supply was all gone. For daycare, we supplied empty, clean bottles, a can of formula, and a jug of breastmilk each day. I used rubbermaid liquid containers in 8 ounce and 16 ounce sizes, and I took the extra breastmilk home with me every night.

Cheryl at http://redpens-diapers.blogspot.com

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Babies take more volume from the bottle than the breast. There are ways the staff can use the bottle to make it more like the breast so the child doesn't take as much. Take frequent breaks during feedings, hold the bottle horizontally, that kind of thing. Also use the lowest flow nipple. Of course pumping isn't going to stimulate as well as the baby so you may want to throw in another pump session or try the myriad galactagogues you can read about online. My best recommendation is Motherlove's More Milk Special Blend. Try eating a big bowl of real oatmeal every day (not rolled oats). It doesn't sound like you are really having big supply problems though. It's probably just the bottle-feeding method that is at issue. Or you know you could just not sweat it and throw in a bottle of formula when needed. The recommendations to wait till AT LEAST six months for solids are well-founded, though.

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We had the same problem at 5 months. I wasn't able to pump enough to keep up with the demand while I was at work. We used formula to supplement for about 2 months before solids took over the gap. I really wanted to exclusively breast feed till 6 months, but I was killing myself with stress trying to pump enough. I didn't qualify for family leave, so I had been pumping for him since he was 7 weeks old.

We're still breastfeeding strong at 2 years old, so it obviously didn't harm his attachment. If I had to do it again I'd probably use formula a lot more for when he was away from me and only pump enough to keep up my supply while I was at work.

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I think he'll be fine. He's still going to be getting mostly breast milk; a little formula is not going to hurt him. If he easily switches between bottle and breast, that's the biggest hurdle and you've already crossed it.

Amazing how fast they grow, isn't it? He'll be eating cereal and fruit and things before you know it.

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I have two questions for you. Are you using a hospital grade pump and how stressed are you? I exclusively pumped for three months and had supply issues the whole time. I found that with my pump babysrus, I might get a couple of teaspoons each session on a good day. With the hospital grade pump, it was usually about double that.

And secondly, how's your stress level? Between all the bs and stupidity in the NICU, recovering from a c-section, dealing with the insurance company, and being strongly discouraged from going outside for the duration of RSV season, I was a walking ball of stress with no outlet. I think between that probably did just as much harm as not being allowed to nurse in the NICU.

We supplemented for the first 3 months, and after my supply went AWOL, we did formula. My son (2.5 years old now) is still off the charts in height, hasn't been sick since he got out of the NICU, and is developing normally. I wouldn't stress about supplementing, since some women don't respond well to pumping. After all, some breast milk is better than none.

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If you do end up supplementing with formula, here's a link to a company that sells organic formula:

http://www.naturesone.com

I wish I had known that this brand had existed. They also carry other organic items such as electrolytes, probiotics, DHA & ARA supplement and soy based formula.


http://www.raisinglucas.com

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I agree with Eva that babies take more from a bottle. DD would take as much as our daycare providers gave her. Many discussions later, we got on a schedule where they gave much smaller bottles more often and would watch for signs of hunger in between feedings. I also made sure they had some frozen milk on hand for periodic growth spurts. We did this for a year, with no formula ever.

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I don't usually chime in, but I'm really feeling
for you, and thought I had something really useful to contribute.

You have your ideals, just as I had mine - but my daughter had another agenda and it seems your little one might too. When you say he's showing interest in food, then he might be ready for some.

Our local (heck - national!) breasfeeding expert and some call him their guru, Dr. Newman, has some excellent information on introducing solids here: http://www.bflrc.com/newman/breastfeeding/solfoods.htm

After reading this, a few other articles, and talking to our doctor, I realized that Josie just wasn't paying attention to what experts and some websites and some books said about breast milk exclusively for six months, and so we started her on liquidy mashed banana with breast milk, then on its own, and thin rice cereal just after she turned four months, and we were both much happier. She'd been showing so much interest in food, and often unsatisfied with nursing, especially when she wanted to look around and be active while doing it. And I continued to breastfeed her well past the age of two, so it didn't affect that part of her health or our relationship. She just never took to bottles, but did like a little bit of water from a cup now and then when it seemed she was just thirsty. So you son might not even be satisfied with formula supplementing your milk - he may just want food.

There are advantages and disadvantages to everything when it comes to discussing what's best for baby tummies - but I ended up listening to my own kid and we're fine. It sounds like you're listening to your son, but you just want assurance that you're making a good choice. Well, I don't have anything against formula, really - but I do think real food that's easy to understand and introduce coupled with your instincts might be the happy medium you're looking for - and there are so many arguments FOR how earlier food introduction can promote acceptance of more foods and textures. It's also great fun to feed babies, and the longer that lovely period lasts, the nicer I think.

Every generation follows the best advice they can find, just as my mom fed me formula from when she adopted me at six weeks and freaking pastina and other foods before long too - and I'm fine.

Whatever you choose, it's very likely everything will be fine - or even better than fine - but listen to your son and your self first.

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First, good job keeping up with the working/pumping/nursing schedule. It is hard!

From my experience down this road, my $0.02 on this topic is to just get as much of 'the good stuff' in him as your body will produce, and if he needs to be 'topped off' towards the end of the day then just supplement with a few ounces of formula. There are things you can try to increase your production, but mostly just relax and don't worry if your baby takes in all the breastmilk you can provide and needs a little more. It's great to have a goal of exclusivity for six months, but keep the big picture in mind too. My son was a big, hungry boy, and was so determined that I set an alarm to wake up at 2am each morning (when he was sleeping through the night) to get in 'just one more pumping session' to try and stay exclusively on breastmilk. When I gave up that middle of the night pump around 7 months and introduced a small bottle of formula each day instead, my son could have cared less, plus my health & happiness improved dramatically. He was hungry and wanted the nourishment, however it arrived.

Also, good idea to check back w/ pedi. I think the range for introducing solids is between 4-6 months, so perhaps your guy is ready! One tip, as early feedings are so messy, mix the cereal with formula and save your precious supply of pumped milk for bottles when you know more of it will end up in his tummy instead on his face/bib/hands/floor/etc. Good luck, keep us posted!

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A pumping trick to increase your supply that works well is to take a break in the middle of pumping. So if you have 30 minutes to pump, pump 10, stop 10 and pump 10 again. It apparently tricks the brain into thinking that you're pumping twice, which stimulates more milk production. I exclusively pumped for over a year for my baby.

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Wow, what a balanced list of comments. No one getting onto you for even (horrors!) considering formula. I think a lot more of us supplemented with formula than usually admit it. I wasn't able to pump at all, so I breastfed at wake up and bedtime, then used formula in between. He's healthy and had no negative side effects.

I feel like the bonding that goes on while a baby feeds is as important as the liquid in the bottle. As long as the daycare holds him and feeds him with love instead of propping a bottle in his mouth, then he will be fine with the decision you make. I spent an evening crying at Publix in front of the formula aisle before I could make the purchase, but my son wasn't fazed by the change.

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I too feel for you! It's tough pumping enough at work. I have a couple of thoughts on increasing production if you're interested: (1) a supplement called More Milk Special Blend by Motherlove Herbal Co. (contains more than fenugreek, only thing that's worked for me, I would never have been able to exclusively breastfeed w/out it); (2) add a pumping session at night - assuming baby is somewhat sleeping through the night, you could pump every night before you go to bed - once your body got used to it, you could probably get another two to three bottles per week out of this. Good luck!

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If he keeps on getting three bottles during the day, he'll switch to nursing more in the afternoon and evening when you're at home.

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The way formula is made now, with the added DHA/ARA components that were only recently identified (that was deficient in formula 10+ years ago)...the only real difference between breastmilk and formula now is the immunities provided by breastmilk. It is shown though that those immuno compounds given to baby from mom are only useful up to about 3 months old when the child's own immune system takes over. That being said, I don't think so many women should make the decision to add some formula into their child's diet so grueling. (ADDING that I am a mother of 3 boys that breastfed 2 exclusively, and one by formula due to his own medical issues). Formula/breastmilk waht is really the big deal. I remember my mother telling stories about how my siblings all drank skim milk by 3 months of age exclusively and I didn't die and I think I am pretty smart...I even graduated University! If you want to exclusively breastfeed into perpetuum then power to you...make it happen. If not, then don't be so hard on yourself. Imagine all the millions of babies given formula from BIRTH...the travesty! *wink*

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As I understand your situation, I do not agree with adding formula. And supplementing with garbage rice cereal is not the answer either! I support your decision and respect you for being a working, pumping, loving mother to your son....I can't stand to go back to work and my son is 10 months. My son refuses a bottle as I have never been away from him for more than four hours. I would try fenugreek as stated by a previous poster and also increase your water intake. It has really helped a lot of women. Also your son will always be able to get more out of your breast (even when you feel it is empty) than a pump ever could. Not many women can maintain adequate pumping when their child is rarely at the breast. Best of luck to you!

to poster #17- there are many, many differences between breastmilk and formula. Breastmilk has over 300 ingredients and adapts itself to the needs of your growing child. According to UNICEF, if infants worldwide were fed ONLY mother's milk for their first six months, at least 1.3 million lives a year would be saved!

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U know, if you never gave your son formula before he may not accept it now. You have to be open to the prospect of that. My daughter hated the taste of formula because we didn't give it to her the first few months, and so when we did give it because we thought she could use some extra, she refused it. It was not that she was confused by the bottle. She would have water and juice from a bottle but not formula. So, keep that in mind and do try to increase your pumping output just in case the same thing happens with your son. I found drinking more water helps a lot.

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Let me preface by saying-I am in no way saying using formula makes a bad parent-I just want to share some facts about breastfeeding (I am a breastfeeding counselor and have studies this in depth)

I have to put in my 2 cents here to Kris who (wrongly) said "The way formula is made now, with the added DHA/ARA components that were only recently identified (that was deficient in formula 10+ years ago)...the only real difference between breastmilk and formula now is the immunities provided by breastmilk. It is shown though that those immuno compounds given to baby from mom are only useful up to about 3 months old when the child's own immune system takes over."

This information is NOT accurate at ALL!!!!


The truth is, Breast milk contains at least 100 (some sources say up to 400) ingredients not found in formula including at least 4 unique proteins.

Breast milk contains unique and powerful immune building properties that can enhance brain development. 80 percent of breastmilk cells are macrophages, which are cells that kill bacteria, fungi and viruses. Breastmilk contains endorphins, chemicals that suppress pain. Breastmilk provides baby with an unequaled immunity against viruses and bacteria, it always has the right proportions of fat, carbohydrates, enzymes and protein as well as numerous other components. Breastmilk is a living substance, and it is individually tailored for each woman’s own baby, it changes constantly - both during a feed and day by day - to meet her baby's evolving needs. Breastmilk contains antibodies produced when a mother is exposed to pathogens in the environment, the mother's antibodies are then passed on to her baby via her breast milk.

Breastfeeding enhances the baby's development of oral muscles and facial bones and it promotes good jaw development as well. It's harder work to get milk out of a breast than a bottle, and the exercise strengthens the jaws and encourages the growth of straight, healthy teeth.

Formula is an industrially manufactured food. It contains chemicals, flavoring, vitamins, and proteins that attempt to replicate breast milk. The multiple processings, ingredients and alterations required to convert cows milk or soy beans to the finished product opens up numerous opportunities for contamination by harmful bacteria, chemicals, insects, and foreign bodies. There were twenty-two different recalls of infant formula in the United States because of health and safety problems between 1982 and 1994, . Seven of these recalls were classified as "Class I" (potentially life threatening) by the FDA. In random testing, a number of lab-tested infant formulas have been found to contain bacterial and elemental contaminants. Human milk straight from the breast is always sterile and No babies are allergic to their mother's milk

In today's society, breastfeeding is often thought of as unnecessary. Young mothers are mistakenly led to believe that formula does very well as a replacement for breastmilk. It emphatically does not! Nothing can duplicate the properties of breastmilk, no matter how many vitamins, minerals and supplements are added to what is basically a chemical formulation.

did you know:

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that "Breastfeeding should be continued for AT LEAST the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child... Increased duration of breastfeeding confers significant health and developmental benefits for the child and the mother... There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychologic or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer." (AAP 2005)

The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that breastfeeding continue throughout the first year of life and that "Breastfeeding beyond the first year offers considerable benefits to both mother and child, and should continue as long as mutually desired." They also note that "If the child is younger than two years of age, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned." (AAFP 2001)

A US Surgeon General has stated that it is a lucky baby who continues to nurse until age two. (Novello 1990)

The World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of nursing up to two years of age or beyond (WHO 1992, WHO 2002).

Scientific research by Katherine A. Dettwyler, PhD shows that 2.5 to 7.0 years of nursing is what our children have been designed to expect (Dettwyler 1995).


Only in the US do we think babies should only be breastfed for 1 year! Only in the US are breast for sex 1st and nursing babies 2nd if at all! Only in the US do people think breatfeeding a child is "gross", "sick", or "weird"



Just because the child has a birthday, it doesn't mean that the child no longer benefits from breastfeeding.

May I suggest you check out http://www.kellymom.com to learn of some benefits of breastfeeding past your child’s 1st birthday.

THE BENEFITS OF "EXTENDED" NURSING (NURSING PAST THE FIRST YEAR)
Although there has been little research done on children who breastfeed beyond the age of two, the available information indicates that breastfeeding continues to be a valuable source of nutrition and disease protection for as long as breastfeeding continues.

In the second year (12-23 months), 448 mL of breastmilk provides:
29% of energy requirements
43% of protein requirements
36% of calcium requirements
75% of vitamin A requirements
76% of folate requirements
94% of vitamin B12 requirements
60% of vitamin C requirements
-- Dewey 2001

The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that children weaned before two years of age are at increased risk of illness (AAFP 2001).
Nursing toddlers between the ages of 16 and 30 months have been found to have fewer illnesses and illnesses of shorter duration than their non-nursing peers (Gulick 1986).

Per the World Health Organization, "a modest increase in breastfeeding rates could prevent up to 10% of all deaths of children under five: Breastfeeding plays an essential and sometimes underestimated role in the treatment and prevention of childhood illness."

Extensive research on the relationship between cognitive achievement (IQ scores, grades in school) and breastfeeding has shown the greatest gains for those children breastfed the longest

According to Sally Kneidel in "Nursing Beyond One Year" (New Beginnings, Vol. 6 No. 4, July-August 1990, pp. 99-103.):

"Research reports on the psychological aspects of nursing are scarce. One study that dealt specifically with babies nursed longer than a year showed a significant link between the duration of nursing and mothers' and teachers' ratings of social adjustment in six- to eight-year-old children (Ferguson et al, 1987). In the words of the researchers, 'There are statistically significant tendencies for conduct disorder scores to decline with increasing duration of breastfeeding.'"
According to Elizabeth N. Baldwin, Esq. in "Extended Breastfeeding and the Law":
"Breastfeeding is a warm and loving way to meet the needs of toddlers and young children. It not only perks them up and energizes them; it also soothes the frustrations, bumps and bruises, and daily stresses of early childhood. In addition, nursing past infancy helps little ones make a gradual transition to childhood."
Baldwin continues: "Meeting a child's dependency needs is the key to helping that child achieve independence. And children outgrow these needs according to their own unique timetable." Children who achieve independence at their own pace are more secure in that independence then children forced into independence prematurely.

http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/895_brstfeed.html

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