Formula Choice

[Anonymous]

My daughter was born at 34 weeks and has acid reflux. She was in the NICU for awhile and got so use to the bottles that she won’t breastfeed. So I have been pumping. But now my supply just won’t keep up with her and I might need to start giving her formula soon. Any opinions on what formula is best for infants with acid relux, spitting up and gas?

[Anonymous]

First, are you interested in continuing pumping if you can get your supply back up? There are things you can try…

[Anonymous]

I tried taking Fenagreek and it didn’t work. The same thing happened with my first son who was also premature. I think I pumped for a month with him then my supply started to diminish. I don’t know what is going on. Some say it is the stress of feedings every two hours and trying to pump. I know breastmilk is the best for her and I don’t want to do formula. But just don’t know what else to do.

[Anonymous]

Something that you can try to increase your supply is pump in the early morning hours between 4:00am and 6:00am. I think your supply is naturally higher at this time in the morning, so if you pump then it signals to your body to produce more milk.

Another thing to try is something that Christine (ndrose) has suggested that worked for her. She called it cluster pumping where you pump, and then an hour later pump again, then one more time an hour or two after that. This should increase your supply as well.

Good luck! I hope you can find something that works. Sorry I don’t have any advice about formula. I’m sure someone else can be more help with that.

[Anonymous]

I have been pumping every 2 to 3 hours even over night since she was born. That’s why I don’t understand why my supply has gone down. The last time I pumped I only got 40ml instead of my usual 80. Think I will start a formula and still pump to see if I get it back. Wish I didn’t have to. Thanks for the help.

[Anonymous]

Yes, that’s what I did to increase my supply. I was able to increase my supply from 20 ounces a day to 45-50 ounces a day in just a few weeks. I would pump at 4 am, again at 6 am, 7 am, and then every 2.5 to 3 hours the rest of the day except for one more time in the afternoon I’d pump one hour after the last time I pumped (usually 1pm and 2pm). Pumping one hour after you just pumped is a great way to signal the body that the baby is hungry so the body will produce more milk. So, I was pumping at least 10 times per day. It was rough (to say the least) but it did increase my supply and then I was able to cut back some.

Another thing that helps is to continue pumping for 2-5 minutes after the flow of milk stops. You often will tap in to some reserve milk and get another 1/2 ounce to ounce, and you will increase your supply because pumping after the flow stops tells your body that the baby is not getting enough.

Drink lots of water and avoid salt. I always found that if I slacked off on drinking water or consumed too much salt my supply would diminish.

Even though I pumped so much milk I still supplemented so that I could freeze some milk each day and not have to pump forever. My kids were not MSPI so I just used Good Start, but if you have to supplement I’d probably try Alimentum first. If she can handle that you can try Good Start later on, and if not then you’ll have a good indication that she is sensitive or intolerant to dairy. Or, if you’re pretty sure she’s fine with dairy because you are eating it now, then maybe just start with Good Start and see how she does. I know, I’m rambling….just thinking via the keyboard, LOL. Good Start has broken down proteins and works well for babies with mild dairy sensitivites.

Good luck! I’m glad you found us.

[Anonymous]

Reglan can double your pumping supply as well. You can ask your OB or the breast feeding specialist from the NICU you were just at can help as well.

I know Reglan is a controversial drug for many for their babies, but I have to say, taking it did double my supply while I was pumping. Doubling for me, unfortunately, was going from 10 MLS (yes two teaspoons) to 20 mls (yes, only 4 teaspoons), so I didn’t last long with the breastmilk as both of my boys far surpassed me in what I was producing, but other moms have had great success with it at the NICU we were at.

Just another option…..

Good LUck!

[Anonymous]

Hi there,

You got some very good advice. Also drink, drink and drink lots of water throw out the day, specially before pumping if you can. That helped me a lot to increase my supply. i also felt hydrated and with more energy.

Good luck.

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