When You Know It Is Time to Stop Breast Feeding

Well if you don't want to stop yet, I suggest pumping more often. I know it's a pain, but if it's something you really want to continue with, then it's worth it in the end. In my opinion, formula isn't more filling. So basically it comes down to what YOU want, how you want to go from where you are.

Hi, M. --

I breast fed my daughter for a year, and my milk production was never very stellar. I could almost never pump more than 3 oz, and she was needing to be fed often. We worked through the low times with a bit of formula, but eventually this became kind of moot as solids were introduced and she came to enjoy them more and more.

We started our daughter on cereal at 4 months - I would breast feed her first and, when possible, pump some to add to the cereal. But, as time went on, we would generally add formula to the cereal instead. She continued to be a voracious eater at the breast and at the table, so she definitely had the best of both, but I was not reluctant to add formula to her food to ensure she was getting what she needed as far as protein, etc.

So, my advice is to do the very best you can do, breast-wise, but don't be such a stickler to La Leche that you feel like the breast is your only hope of meeting your son's needs. I'm sure you will do great at balancing between breast, formula, and solids.

Good luck!
H.

I say keep nursing - your breasts are usually supply and demand lol. I nursed my younger 2 for quite a long time. The first year it was only breastmilk and whatever table food they could handle once they were sitting up.

This is a very personal decision each family needs to decide for themselves. I would reccommend that you consider your needs and limits while making this decision. With that in mind, I'm a big advocate of breastfeeding. With my son we did a combination of nursing and formula when I couldn't pump enough. Once he reached 4-5 months, he wanted nothing to do with the bottle. Some babies go back and forth just fine. If your supply seems low it's probably because you're not nursing or pumping enough. The more you nurse, the more milk you will produce. Supply and demand. Formula may be more filling than breastmilk, but in your milk you are giving your baby over 200 ingredients, incluking your own antibodies to help fight disease! Formula can't do that. My advice would be to continue nursing as long as possible even if you are part-time nursing.
M. S

I am a pediatric dietitian in Ohio. Please continue to breast feed to age 1 year if at all possible. You will be doing your child and yourself a HUGE favor. Even with the addition of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, formula does not fully replicate breast milk.

Be sure you are consuming enough fluid, protein and calories to support your milk production. Continue to pump and directly feed your son. Try to contact a lactation consultant who can evaluate your individual situation. Your ob/gyn or local hospital should be able to refer you to one or to the LeLeche League in your area. You mention that you work part-time. Stress may be a factor inr educing your supply, too.

Stressing home prepared foods with lots of vegetables, fruits, low fat dairy foods and whole grains rather than convenience/fast foods will keep both you and your family far healthier--and we are learning more and more how true that statement is. It is possible that diets high in omega-6 fatty acids (convenience foods, fast foods, corn/soy/safflower oils) compared to omega-3 fatty acids (fish, canola/olive oils) even increase the risk of prematurity. We know they increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Hopefully, you can breast feed until 1 year and then transition to whole milk. If your child is not growing adequately, your pediatrician will probably want you to supplement with formula.

L. Ro, MS, RD/LD

M.,
Yes!Yes!Yes(but not as healthy)!
Try topump after the baby eats too, to completely empty your breasts. This will cause an increase in your production. Are you drinking plenty of water a day? If not this could also be why your supply is so low. Don't give up! Breastfeeding is sooo worth the effort!
Good luck!
R.

I have learned that breast feeding is all about supply and demand. So the more often you pump the more milk you will produce. Also when you are breast feeding you have to get plenty of rest in order for your body to produce milk. With working and having 2 children plus a husband you may not be getting enough rest. You should be able to talk to your doctor and they will be able to recommond some herbal supplments to help you continue to breast feed if you feel like you want to continue on.

I have two children ages 4 and 21 months. I allowed my 4 year old to self wean and am allowing my 21 month old to do the same. I worked full time and pumped with my oldest and work 3 days a week now. Pumping was a lot of work for me. I too only excreted 2 to 4 ounces at a time (rarely 6). I found that I get the most milk in the morning and when I came home from work. I would nurse my son on one side and pump on the other (that was when I let down the best- when my son was nursing). I had to pump several times a day and also on the weekends to provide enough milk supply for my son while I was at work. You don't have to stop breast feeding completely either. You can supplement, but it isn't good to mix, formula in addition to the breast milk. You could also choose to use formula during the day when you are working and nurse when you are home (your body will know when to make milk- it's amazing). There are so many options for you. Your local Le Leache League may be able to help as well. Enjoy!!!!

For me, I really wanted to try and continue breastfeeding all the way to the one year mark, but I know that isn't always possible.

If your supply seems low the best way to increase it is to actually pump more, or get your little one to nurse more in order to stimulate production. Also make sure you are drinking PLENTY/TONS of water. When I noticed my supply had dropped, I also noticed that I wasn't consciously drinking near enough water. We use up so many calories as a breastfeeding mom, so make sure you are replacing those!

I think after a few months your baby has probably had a good chunk of the benefits of breastfeeding, but I know the added benefits continue the whole time you do breastfeed. If you can keep going, it is such a wonderful thing for you and the baby.

I had a heck of a time getting started with breastfeeding, but the E. Blackwell Center, right behind Riverside Hospital, was a tremendous help. Don't hesitate to seek advice from them. They have a free breastfeeding hotline you can call, and you can also see a lactation consultant for an hourly fee. I have used both and was very grateful for their help.

My motivations to keep going were.......I think formula smells funny and I didn't want to have to deal with that. Also formula is SOOOOOOOOO expensive. Breast milk is free!! When breastfeeding I have found that my baby weight came off so much faster.....you are burning all sorts of calories through milk production! Also, in the middle of the night when you can stumble into the baby's room, half asleep and just breastfeed rather than having to wake up and make a bottle is a huge plus. But I have heard that a little formula at night tends to stick with them a little longer than breastmilk.

There is nothing wrong with supplementing with formula, but those added benefits of continuing to breast feed are wonderful too!

Good Luck and hang in there!

Oh, please please keep going! I am a breastfeeding peer counselor for the WIC program, and I really do hope that you will continue to give your baby your milk for as long as possible. I encourage you to nurse your baby when you are together as much as possible and only supplement with formula when absolutely necessary. Breastfeeding moms miss less work because their babies don't get sick as often. Your milk is better and has more natural nutrients per ounce than any formula you can find. Month by month your milk has more fat and calcium, too.

There are some herbals to help you increase production (though 2-4 ounces is normal for a pumping and frequent emptying of the breast is the best way to maintain a good supply). I have seen recommended many times 3 capsules each of fenugreek and blessed thistle three times a day to increase milk supply, especially in moms who have returned to work and feel their supply has gone down. They are not recommended for people with blood sugar problems or with asthma. Good luck - don't give up!

S.

I can't answer your question but I know who can. I LOVED the lactation consultants at Fairview Hospital. ###-###-#### I talked to them several times on the phone, I would leave a message and they would call me back. It's free. They also have a Breastfeeding Support Group M,W,F at their wellness center. Free too.

Can I ask a few questions? How long are you at work and how many times are you pumping? What kind of environment do you have to pump in?

Sometimes, fitting in an extra pumping session at work or even one while you're home can lift supply a little. Also, if you're not in a comfortable place, or if you feel stressed out while you're pumping, you won't get good results.

I have the same problem. I have done a few things that seem to help. I bought a hands-free pumping kit and now knit or surf the internet while I pump. It keeps my mind off of pumping and keeps me from worrying about how much I'm producing.

If the flow seems to be slowing, you could turn up the speed on your pump to try to get another let-down. You could also do compressions - apply gentle pressure to help get some of the milk out.

And, fitting in an extra session here or there really does the trick. Your supply probably won't increase unless you increase the frequency of your sessions.

All that said, I believe that on average, breast milk has about 22 calories per ounce where formula has about 20 calories per ounce. Plus, you're getting all the good stuff from the breastmilk. If you want to continue breastfeeding, there are ways to bring your supply back up without starting formula.

The Elizabeth Blackwell Center at Riverside Hospital has some support groups where you can come and talk to a lactation consultant. I have learned so much from them and and still breastfeeding my 6 month old baby girl. They meet Thursdays at 1:30 in the afternoon and the 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 6pm.

My son is 9 months old and he now gets 4 oz of formula mixed with 2 oz of breast milk. I made it to 8 months with pure breast milk until my supply just couldn't keep up. I work part time and pump 3 times a day at work and put him to the breast at bedtime. When I'm home with him, I only find time to pump twice a day. I felt guilty about switching but making sure my baby had enough to eat was more important. You've done a great job and should be proud. Don't let anyone make you feel bad if you need to wean.

There is NOTHING better than breastmilk for your baby. I had a hard time pumping at first. Stick with it. Drink beverages that help increase your supply - fenugreek tea comes to mind, although it makes you smell like fenugreek and hemp milk. If you have a natural food store near you, you can find these products there.

I also found that I was able to pump more milk when I pumped first and then let my baby nurse. She always seemed to get what she needed.

I highly recommend a book called The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers Revised and Updated: The Most Comprehensive Problem-Solving Guide to Breastfeeding - http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Breastfeeding-Answers-Revi...

Contact La Leche League to find a local breastfeeding support group - http://www.llli.org/ They meet monthly and discuss all aspects of breastfeeding. They also often have a small traveling library. Most importantly, the leaders are great resources who you can call about any breastfeeding question.

A little about me:
I am 43 years old with a 2 year old daughter who still nurses 2 times a day.

Formula can be more filling, and sometimes take a little longer to digest in the beginning than breastmilk. But it's not a major difference. Mixing breastmilk and formula or giving a formula bottle occassionally, once a day or more if needed, if not enough breastmilk is perfectly fine. Any amount of breast milk you can give the infant is wonderful, making it 1, 3, or 6 months with some breastmilk is doing great. Breastfeeding and keeping the supply up can prove to be difficult, and you should be applauded for your efforts thus far! Congrats!
Should you choose to continue there are many things that help and hinder the milk supply. Hindering things can be related to diet, deyhdration, increase of stress and not pumping on schedule (as in not as often as your child would eat.) If you are pumping and worring about all the other things you should be doing right now instead of pumping you are going to get less of a milk supply than if you weren't so worried. So try to relax your mind, have a picture of your son with you, and your daughter if needed, and think of happy thoughts! Make sure your well hydrated. Also, pumping for 2 minutes after the last drop comes out or up to 30 minutes is highly important in keeping milk supply up. You make more milk if you empty your breast entirely than if you leave them with milk in them. Best of luck to you!

I think the LaLeche League could give you the best advice, however at this time I do not have a connection with a group as I am a grandparent. My daughter-in-law, however has been very successful with nursing all her 3 children..now nursing the third who at 3 months has had only breastmilk. He is thriving on breastmilk alone and he was a big boy to start with (9lb at birth). Your child, I believe would do best not mixing with formula. The benefits of breastmilk outway formula by far. I think there are some food substances that are noted for increasing milk supply. Chocolate may be one of them. Double check on that one for your own sake however. Another thought is making sure you are taking proper care of yourself...eating and getting enough fluids, relaxation as well as sleep.
While you are expressing only 2-4 ounces, how is your child reacting? Does your son appear to be getting enough to satisfy him and thrive? While your supply may appear low, your son may be getting all he needs. Only you and/or your family doctor can determine that. I hope this has been helpful to you in some way.

I did not choose to breastfeed, but according to my best friend, who has breast fed 3 children, its the best. However, I do know a lot of doctors advise blending formula in as well in case you can't do it anymore, or if you are out of milk and you can't pump, they will take the formula. Formula is more filling than breast milk, they will eat less often.
My son ate about every 4-6 hours in his first few months. Once he started on food, he got food and formula 3 times a day, then a bottle before bed, and that was it. He did just fine on formula. I think that these days, everyone is so into breastfeeding, they almost make you feel obligated to do it.
My sister couldn't produce milk and she was just devastated. I say, give them what you can give them. They will be fine. If you are going to supplement with formula, you should do it asap so he doesn't reject it later.

I have 3 children,ages 11,8,and 4 1/2 and became a full time stay at home mom before our youngest son was born. I decided to try breastfeeding because my older son had problems with formula allergies,etc. and I had also had much more time to try breastfeeding than with my first two. When my youngest son was born, he was a very large baby(10lbs.9oz).
Things went pretty well for the first 2 months, but my milk supply seemed to be dwindling, and my son seemed to be hungry ALL the time! Friends/family who had breastfed suggested maybe I should feed him more often, try pumping more often, and nothing seemed to work. I hated to give up trying and felt kind of guilty, butI continued to only pump 2-4 oz. at a time so I didn't have any choice but to start giving him formula and my pediatrician agreed bcs. he wasn't gaining weight. I started alternating nursing him, and giving formula every other feeding. This worked pretty well and he was more satisfied with the formula(and much happier). Unfortunately, he lost interest in breastfeeding soon after and my milk dried up. (Maybe this won't happen with you but I would keep this in mind if you hope to continue breastfeeding for any length of time). I hope my info. helps, everybody's different, but I would recommend discussing whatever you consider with your pediatrician. Good luck!!

Most three month olds are only drinking about 4 oz at each serving, It is worth it to KEEP PUMPING, the health benefits to your child are unbelievable. To up your supply try nursing your baby on demand when you are home. Babies have a growth spurt at about 3 months, 6 months etc., if you allow your child to nurse when they want for a day or two it will increase your amount and then you can get back on schedule. You can also drink an herbal tea called Mothers Milk, it works great!
Formula can actually be dangerous. I just read another report about ones with DHA, the other day.
visit www.birthcarenetwork.com for a list of lactation specialist if you want some professional advice.

Hi. I too had this problem once I returned to work and my son started on the bottle during my work hours. I would nurse in the evenings, but my supply just fell short and he wasn't getting enough. I did have to go to formula all the way. Though it was not my first preference, my 2 year old is doing fine. Formula tends to be a bit heavier too, so I noticed he was able to sleep for longer periods at night which was awesome. Luckily he was a greedy little guy and didn't complain much about the switch. Finding the right nipple for the bottle was they key for me. I had to try a few before he accepted one. Good luck.

A little about me: I am 37 years old. I have three children. A girl 8, amd two sons, 5 & 2. Married for almost 9 years.

Hi, I am mom to 3 and have also noticed around 3-4 months that my supply has seemed to dwindle. This, however, is normal. I researched each time this happened and found that its just our milk and the baby leveling out(supply and demand reach equalibrium). Though pumping is difficult during this time, rest assured your baby can get what he needs from your breast. Consider pumping more often to boost your supply. You are doing a wonderful thing for your son by breastfeeding!! It is a gift that will truely last his lifetime. Making milk is like a generator, the more you nurse (or pump) the more milk you will make. If you begin to suppliment with formula, your supply will go down even more.

Best to you and your family!

Hi, There does come a time when your breasts call it quits. I'm not sure how old your baby is but if he/she is still young, you can still increase your milk supply with herbs and extra drinking water. If the child is older and you're ready to wean that's different.

I pumped with my first child for 18 months. He didn't want the breast but he was allergic to ALL formula. When I got to the 12th month I noticed my milk slowing down. By 15 months I was pumping longer and stronger to get more milk out but I DO NOT recommend doing that. Finally when my son was 18 months and had a cold I switched to half soy and half goat milk. He never noticed the taste change because he had a cold and couldn't taste the difference.

I never gave him formula bc I wasn't sure what in the formula he was allergic to. At this point he still was not eating solids. Didn't have any interest. So I had to supplement his diet with trace minerals. He was still deficient in Vitamin D and calcium. If I did it over again I think I might have given him formula but I don't think he would have liked the taste.

Goat milk has a nice taste.

My second child breastfed for 3 1/2 years. I ran out of milk somewhere at the 3 year mark but he didn't care. A drop was still a drop and he enjoyed his time at the breast.

So if breastfeeding, I wouldn't stop, but if pumping, I would just for your own sanity and breast break.

Congrats on the new little one! My advice to you is do what works best for you. Everyone has an opinon on this. The lactation consultants say feed nothing but breastmilk til 6 mos, the homeopathics say nothing but breastmilk til 6 mos, and now the APA even says nothing but breastmilk til 6 mos. But the bottom line is that you have to do what is best for you. What is worse, a hungry baby or a formula fed baby? And a happy mom is the best thing you can give your children. Yes, there may be health bennefits to nursing longer, but again it has to work for you. Some moms never nurse their baby once. Another option is to really focus on getting sleep, drink a TON of water and pump after as many feedings as possible and try to up your milk supply. Also take cues from your baby. If he is happy, then he is most likely not hungry. If he is gaining and growing, then you are feeding him plenty. Good luck:)