My son is 5 weeks old and 7 lbs 14 oz. Due to some jaw issues, he is unable to adequately breastfeed and I am pumping. However, right now, I can't keep up with his demand (he is asking for roughly 3 oz at every feeding, 3-4 hrs apart) and he is already in the 5th percentile for weight so he doesn't have any room to lose. Plus, I am having surgery on Weds and will be away from home overnight and the anesthesiologist has said that I will need to dump all pumps for the following 24 hours. As a result, he will likely need to be supplemented, our pediatrician told us. I have breastmilk frozen but it won't be enough to hold him.
We were given Enfamil Premium Lipid in the hospital to supplement in the beginning and some to take home, all ready to use. We also were given a case of powdered Enfamil Premium Lipid. The problem is that he really doesn't like the powdered and I am having a hard time finding the RTU and we've exhausted our supply of 2 ounce nursery bottles. I've read the other suggestions about slowly introducing and mixing the two but we're on a time crunch with my surgery being Weds and being able to offer expressed breastmilk while we make the addition of supplement formula. We're going to try to mix it with warm water and not shake up the bottles to avoid introducing too much air. Plus, we're giving mylicon at each bottle feeding. Any other ideas? Thanks!
When we went in for my surgery, I told the nurse that I wanted the lactation consultant called when I woke up and I told my husband the same thing. Lactation came down (we had been seeing them twice a week already so I knew everyone in lactation really well) and long story short, ended up going back to the office with a list of the medications that I was on and looking them all up. They turned out to all be L-1 and they suggested to just dump that first pump after waking up. So I dumped that first pump (almost 8 ounces...I almost cried) and after that, I went back to pumping. I power pumped twice in the hospital and that really helped as well. Thank you to everyone, I recieved some great suggestions as well as an extremely generous offer of frozen breast milk, which touched me so much that I teared up.
mixing the BM and formula is a good idea. Like others suggested below, you may need to try a couple brands because they each have a different taste...you may also want to try the low-lactose or lactose free versions. Each baby is different. I had to supplement both of my babies and one was good with Enfamil Gentlease and the other only wanted the Good Start. Good luck!
I agree with what the other moms said about double-checking about the pumping and dumping. I had surgery when my daughter was 5 weeks old, and my surgeon had told me I would have to pump and dump for 72 hours!! I was devastated (I never got a lot from the pump, ever, and I was terrified that going that long without nursing would crash my supply). A friend told me to check with La Leche League, and after speaking with them, and my midwife, and the lactation consultant at my pediatrician's office, and the anesthesiologist, I was assured it was safe to nurse as soon as I felt awake and alert.
I left my baby with my parents at 6 am, had the surgery at 8 am, woke up at noon a little groggy, pumped at 1 p.m. and dumped it, (maybe I also pumped at 4 pm and dumped it?) and then nursed my baby at 7:00 that night (I felt too sore and stiff to nurse before that.) She's absolutely fine (she's 15 months now). I am so glad I was nursing her just 12 hours later and that I didn't listen to the surgeon who told me to dump for 72 hours!
both my kids used allumentum, its expensive and hard to mix but does miracles with the tummy and i used it to supplement both of my breastfead children. boil water, then blen in a blender and let sit in fridge for hour or 2 to let buubles from blender out. u can switch to regular formula later but this was the only thing that my kids could have without sever refluxand gas. if u need the other, order it premade off the enfamil website and request express shipping.
I pumped for my twins who would not feed and we always needed to supplement. I am pretty sure your DR is right about the pump and dump. You do not want to risk giving your baby the heavy drugs used in anestesia. Do make sure though that your nurse knows that you need to be woken to pump. A friend of mine was in the same situation, and slept for a solid 12 hours after her surgery due to the medications. She lost a lot of her supply and had to work hard to get it back.
As for the formula. You might just want to try a different one if he seems not to like that one and needs the mylicon. I wouldn't want to have to give it to him with every bottle. As for mixing it sounds like he is sensitive to the temperature and air bubles. I premixed my formula for the day (it lasts 24 hours in the fridge) and then warmed it in a cup of hot water. I would make a pitcherful the night before and all the bubbles were gone by morning. This will make it like the premade stuff but without the hassle and expense.
I tried to even out what my kids got by giving breastmilk with one feeding and then formula with another so that they got the same amount of breast milk each day. Remember that your supply may be a little lower as you recover as well.
ps your husband will likely have better milk feeding formula than you, babies can smell that you have the good stuff available.
I could be wrong, but I believe that the Enfamil Premium Lipid (yellow label right?) is just a new name and wrapper for the regular Enfamil (yellow label). Babies R Us, Toys R Us, Giant, CVS, Harris Teeter all usually carry the RTU. It also comes in cute little pop cans that are great. To save time, look on the store websites for availablility.
My son was supplemented from the beginning and because of that experience my daughter was only on formula.
While I'm sure that you're disappointed about this need, please keep in mind that it is up to you whether its temporary or permanent. Either way is fine, as long as the feed needs of your son are met in a way that makes everyone happy and healthy.
Good luck.
M.
I've used Nestle Goodstart for my 11-week-old if I have to run to the store or be away for a few hours. Dad can feed him. He's nursed other than that. The Nestle kind is supposed to be very easy to digest, and I can say it works well. When we tried other brands, he was more fussy.
Can't speak to the formula issues, but please have another conversation with your doctor about pumping & dumping!
"General anesthesia should not prevent a mother from nursing. As soon as she is awake and alert enough to hold her baby following the procedure, the amount of medication in her bloodstream will be low enough so that the amount in her milk will not be significant."
- from New Beginnings, published by LLL, 2009 issue 3, p25
Contact your local La Leche Leader (the internationally recognized organization for breastfeeding support). The information above is published in the latest issue of "New Beginnings" magazine has an article and references supporting this statement.
Hope that helps! Keep pumping... it's all about supply = demand.
Go on kellymom.com NOW. Post on your issue of pumping and dumping and the women there will help you figure out if that is true.
I would not mix breastmilk and formula. You have to throw out whatever formula is left and you will end up wasting breastmilk. Give whatever BM you have first in 1 bottle and then top it off with formula in a second bottle. You can usually find ready made formula at babies r us. But I highly suggest going on kellymom and asking for advice about surgery.
First of all, RELAX!! You need some of your energy to focus on yourself and your surgury and getting better for you and your baby. Also, keeping yourself calm will help with your milk supply. Are you drinking Mother's Milk tea or taking fenugreek to help boost your supply? I had to supplement througout my first year and always tried to use what I could to keep my supply up. Not to sound like a callous, uncaring mother, but I found little difference in the formulas with my first child and ended up supplementing with Walmart's "First Choice" milk-based brand throughout my second child's first year. Mylicon is wonderful for gas, and the other moms gave good advice for keeping air out. Make sure you're using distilled water (not tap water) for the first few months too. Good luck! It'll all be FINE! Get well soon.
slow flow nipples and a pacifier. its only one day. start mixing the formula now so that you dont have so high a formula content come wed and thursday that he can't tell as much it's in there.
