Intake Does Not Equal Output HELP US!

I know for me it took a while to get into a routine pumping so my body would produce more. Babys are very good at nursing and the pump doesn't mimic that very well. Don't give up pumping if you want to provide breastmilk for your baby. But also don't feel like you've let anyone down by suplementing with formula. Your baby is so lucky to have you giving her the best you possibly can and while I know giving her formula may seem like a big deal now, it's only one of many tough decisions we as parents will have to make! ;-) Good luck and don't be too hard on yourself! You're amazing to be working and pumping, it's very difficult!!

I'm so impressed that you are pumping at work, that shows real commitment! You might try a mother's milk tea that is designed to increase milk production. If that doesn't work, remember that you are giving your daughter plenty of great nutrition when you can breastfeed her. If the breastfeeding just doesn't work out long-term, there are plenty of intelligent, healthy kids running around who were raised solely on formula and your daughter has had the benefit of breastmilk for the first few months of her life.

This never worked for me, but a lot of moms I know say that looking at a picture of their baby or thinking about their baby while they pumped has helped them to produce more milk. You should also try to pump as often as you would feed your baby (if you are not already doing that). Pumping just once during an 8 hr day might not be enough. If you are stressed out because you are rushing to get back on the job, that might also cause you to pump less. Finally, if you haven't already got a really good pump, that might help. I use a Medela Pump in Style advanced pump with two-phase pumping that supposedly mimics the baby's initial fast sucking and eventual slower, deeper sucking. I'm really happy with it, and it's possible your insurance company will cover all or part of the cost (I have Tufts, and they cover the entire cost of a breast pump). But when it gets right down to it, a pump is not a baby, and you can only do your best. As others have said, any amount of breast milk is so important for your baby, and it's wonderful that you are trying so hard to make sure she gets the best. If you have to supplement a little, it's not the end of the world. Good luck!

Hi G.,

I know it's SO easy to feel like a disappointment, and it's truly a shame that you feel that way! You are doing SO much for your little girl. ANY amount of breastmilk is wonderful. I breastfed our son (now 4) exclusively for 3 months and then struggled with the decision to supplement for the same reason you face. He was so used to the breastmilk he wouldn't have any formula for a LONG time. With our daughter (no 16 months), we introduced formula MUCH sooner (I think it was around 6-8 weeks. It was another hard decision, but we're SO happy we did it. It's unfortunate that there's so much pressure on moms to breastfeed. What you don't hear about is how that pressure becomes negative energy from the mom. Once we transitioned to formula, the whole experience of feeding was so much more joyous! Just remember, the love you give her far outweights this issue.

Good luck,
M.