If you BF and also use formula, come in

[pinotgrig]

DS is almost 5 weeks old. I've been BF'ing with a nipple shield since we were in the hospital after meeting with an lc. He lost 11% of his weight after birth and we started supplementing with an ounce of formula after feedings per his pedi.

FF to his 1 month checkup yesterday. He's up 9 oz over his initial birth weight but in the 8th percentile for weight. Pedi recommended I ditch the nipple shield, continue supplanting, and in increase feedings to every 2 hrs during the day and every 2 hrs at night (were doing 3 and 3.5-ish).

Only problem is that after ditching the shield since Friday afternoon and upping our feedings and my nipples are wrecked. To the point that I'm ready to go to 100% formula just so I don't dread each nursing session. :/ I really, really wanted to EBF so all this has been so frustrating and upsetting me.

My question - if you BF and FF, how does it work? I think if I can make it to 12 weeks when I go back to work and will have a defined schedule of pumping/FF/BF schedule (I'll pump 3-ish times at work, send daycare whatever BF stash I have, and use formula for the rest of his feedings there and nurse him in the mornings and night). Do you use bottles for the formula? How often do you feed? Is it a trial and error process? Any regrets? Any other info/thoughts/etc are appreciated too. I'll be calling a lc his pedi recommended on Monday, also.

[ssmjlm]

I would go back on the shield. It's not worth it to be uncomfortable when you're only a month in.

[pinotgrig]

Jul 19, 2014 17:45:43 GMT -5 oceanspray said:

Go back to the shield. Do you have Lanisoh?

I did go back to the shield for the last couple of feedings and am using the super-special nipple cream from the hospital, too.

I would bf forever if I could keep the shield. Hopefully that's an option though not a popular one, I don't think.

[ssmjlm]

There are plenty of moms on this board who used the shield as long as necessary. I wouldn't sweat it.

[changedname]

Go back to the shield. It was the only thing that kept me bfing in the early days because it took the edge off the pain.

[changedname]

Also I found coconut or olive oil worked better than all the fancy creams.

[mannah]

I don't have advice re formula but wanted to tell you I used a nipple shield for a few days and asked my midwife and lactation consultant about it and both said some women use it for every feed until they're done breastfeeding (I.e years) and it works for them, so if that is you, then do it. One day my baby was randomly freaking out while I was trying to feed her and so I took it off and she calmed down and we never looked back. But I had planned to use it for as long as was necessary since it was working for us. Good luck figuring out what is going to work best for you guys. And GREAT JOB getting him 9 oz past his birthweight!

[bowies]

We supplemented at first too, until DS reached his birth weight (he lost a lot of weight in the first few days). I also used a nipple shield at first on my left nipple because it took him a while to figure out how to latch on that one. I saw an LC a week after his birth and she didn't steer me off the shield, though I abandoned it after her help with latching. We were always told to feed on demand, not to exceed 2 hours between feedings. Once he hit birth weight we got the go ahead to let him dictate feedings at night...which are mostly still every 2 hours. We've stretched to 3 hours a couple of times. We're still on demand/no more than 2 during the day. And we're now off formula since he's gaining at a healthy rate.

If the shield works for you, use it. Some of the best advice i got from my LC, who is also a pedi, was to let the baby tell me when he was done with the boob instead of me telling him. I had been pulling him off before he got to the hindmilk. Now if he pops off, I'll burp him, then if he roots again, I put him back on the same boob. I'll only pop him off now if he stops swallowing and goes to a comfort suck. If he's still hungry, that's when I offer the other boob.

So, in a nutshell, my best advice is to feed on demand instead of on a schedule and see if that gets you off the formula after a while (if that's what you want). I also read pretty much the entire kellymom website during my late night feedings, lol. There's a wealth of knowledge there.

[cricketwife]

Merida is right that it's better without the nipple shield - the baby will be able to remove more milk and you'll start producing more.  However, the realities of BFing are not that simple.  If you're deciding between quitting altogether and using a nipple shield, KOKO with the shield!

I also had a terrible, terrible time BFing.  I started supplementing at 1 month and continued until 3 months at which point I completely switched to formula.  I would definitely check with your LC before doing anything differently, but in my case, when my nipples where completely wrecked, the LC advised me to feed from one and pump the other breast (the nipple that was the worse) until it healed enough.  And I continued using a shield.

Also, we can also all your other questions about combo feeding, but it sounds more like you need to take things one day at a time for the moment.  See what tomorrow brings, then next week.  Who knows, by the time you go back to work, you could still be combo feeding, EBF or EFF. 

But if it puts your mind at ease to have some answers now - I always fed on demand (and still do) regardless of method.  I gave the same amount at FF as what he got from BF (or was supposed to get, based on the weighed feeding.)  Yes, I used bottles both for BM, when I pumped and for formula.  There's definitely some trial and error.

My biggest regret is how much time I spent crying over our difficulties BFing, rather than enjoying my baby. It was a huge disappointment, so I understand your frustration. I'm sorry that you're having trouble. 

[sh10]

We used the shield for at least six weeks, maybe more. Keep doing it if it works. I love the Earth Mama Angel baby nipple cream. We combo feed, but I only work four hours per week so he gets formula when I teach if he's hungry. I've had a bad week of sickness so he's been getting formula/ frozen milk before bed so he sleeps longer and I sleep longer too so I can heal.For example, tonight he took eight ounces and I've maybe pumping four right now.

It's totally ok to quit, but if you are only quitting because you think you shouldn't use the shield, I would keep going with the shield. For us at five months, it's much easier to nurse than bottle feed, less stuff to wash, DS seems to relax better.

Good luck, I got so much great advice here.

[browneyedgirl9]

I was doing same as you, bf then offer 1oz formula. I used a shield until one month, at that point i was able to transition off without pain. DS had a better latch by then, and had both got the hang of it by then.

For me the shield was key at the beggining or i would have given up, my nipples were wrecked too. It saved my bf relationship. Eventually you can transition off. I would pump to get extra stimulation.

Bf can be so hard in the beginning, and emotional. Just know doing a good job, and do what works for you and the baby!

[pinotgrig]

Jul 19, 2014 19:02:53 GMT -5 cricketwife said:

Merida is right that it's better without the nipple shield - the baby will be able to remove more milk and you'll start producing more.  However, the realities of BFing are not that simple.  If you're deciding between quitting altogether and using a nipple shield, KOKO with the shield!

I also had a terrible, terrible time BFing.  I started supplementing at 1 month and continued until 3 months at which point I completely switched to formula.  I would definitely check with your LC before doing anything differently, but in my case, when my nipples where completely wrecked, the LC advised me to feed from one and pump the other breast (the nipple that was the worse) until it healed enough.  And I continued using a shield.

Also, we can also all your other questions about combo feeding, but it sounds more like you need to take things one day at a time for the moment.  See what tomorrow brings, then next week.  Who knows, by the time you go back to work, you could still be combo feeding, EBF or EFF. 

But if it puts your mind at ease to have some answers now - I always fed on demand (and still do) regardless of method.  I gave the same amount at FF as what he got from BF (or was supposed to get, based on the weighed feeding.)  Yes, I used bottles both for BM, when I pumped and for formula.  There's definitely some trial and error.

My biggest regret is how much time I spent crying over our difficulties BFing, rather than enjoying my baby. It was a huge disappointment, so I understand your frustration. I'm sorry that you're having trouble. 

Yes, I think I'm getting ahead of myself! Thanks for the reminder that I still have options. I'll definitely keep going with the shield - good to know that others have used it and successfully weaned later.

[chickadee77]

I'm still using a shield, too. Apparantly, my nipples are really flat. I try to ditch it maybe a couple of times a week in an effort to wean from it, but no luck so far.

Anyhow, my pedi said plenty of women use the shield indefinitely, and to do what works for us. I wouldn't sweat it, honestly. She's still getting breastmilk, and it will probably make the transition to a bottle easier.

[booboo173]

I used the shield for at least two months maybe more. I tried to stop earlier but like you my nipples were a wreck and it hurt. Then after time I was able to out of no where use it and it worked fine. I never went back from there. So keep doing what makes you feel best. I will also add I think coconut oil worked better than the creams

[Jalapeñomel]

Jul 19, 2014 17:57:41 GMT -5 ssmjlm said:

There are plenty of moms on this board who used the shield as long as necessary. I wouldn't sweat it.

I BFed with the shield until 6 months, and I didn't stop using it all together until 7/8 months.  I still EBF. 

[Jalapeñomel]

Maybe I should also put that if you choose to go to formula or combo feed, there is nothing wrong with that. You do whatever you have to do to ensure the health of both you and baby.

[litasail]

Just a question - has your DS been checked for a tongue or lip tie? That could be part of the reason that he's tearing you up.

But I agree with others - if the shield works, go with it.

[pinotgrig]

Jul 19, 2014 20:41:03 GMT -5 litasail said:

Just a question - has your DS been checked for a tongue or lip tie? That could be part of the reason that he's tearing you up.

But I agree with others - if the shield works, go with it.

He has - all was good there. Good suggestion, though!