BM/ Formula

holley79 wrote: Well i seem to be dwindling in the BM department. I am not able to get enough pumped to get DH though the night when I have to work. I have been pumping all weekend so he should have enough for tonight. I am hoping there will be left overs for him to use on Tuesday night also along with what I pump tonight at work. Last week when I worked he was mixing half and half. He told me eh was doing this and I am just wondering if this is ok. I looked on Kellymom.com and didn't see anything like that. I am pumping my fool head off and seem not to be getting anywhere. I'm also nursing her as often as possible.

amynicole21 replied: Yes, it's fine. I do it too. Just remember that formula doesn't last as long in the fridge as BM, so you shouldn't mix it until you are ready to use it.

Have you tried fenugreek yet?

holley79 replied:
He's only mixing the formula when he makes her bottle so he's doing good there.

I have been taking the fenugreek and drinking the Mother's Milk organic tea. I have also been making it a point to drink as much water as possible and trying to eat as much as possible (within reason of course).

I'm not even engorged in the mornings like I use to be. Hopefully it will get better.

MyLuvBugs replied: Formula will last 8-10 hours if you keep it cool. We switched back and forth between formula and BM with Lorelei, and it was fine. Don't worry so much about it. So long as she's fed and is growing, it's fine.

coasterqueen replied: Has AF came back or on it's way maybe? Also are you pumping at work like you're supposed to to keep up the supply?

Jamison'smama replied: I see Karen is reading this so I'm sure she has great advice (no pressure Karen )

What kind of pump are you using?

coasterqueen replied:
I didn't respond with much yet, so I'm feeling the pressure.

holley79 replied:

I am using a Medela PIS. I haven't had any problems with the pump it's just that I don't seem to have anything in there. I use to be able to "feel" my MD's when I was getting full but now it just seems to be a soft boob.

Thank you all for the help though. I just don't want to quit just yet.

EvesMom replied: Maybe it's the lack of sleep?

coasterqueen replied: It's normal as baby gets older for you not to feel that full feeling anymore. It does not mean AT ALL that you are making less milk. Are you pumping for 20 minutes each time? Not pumping long enough can do this. Also I know you mentioned AF. AF CAN decrease your supply during that time. It wasn't a reference to pg, just that AF can decrease supply and a calcium/magnesium supplement can help during that time to help supply and other AF symptoms.

Hillbilly Housewife replied: I'm having a hard time pumping too... I pump every chance I get, so that I always have some on hand. It's SOOO much easier to just give the baby a bottle, that she holds on her own, and I can put down and deal with the other two while keeping an eye on her, than being confined to a chair or the couch to nurse.

But lately I can only pump about 8 ounces in a day... the rest HAS to be nursed.



I'm gonna start taking Fenugreek again.

holley79 replied: Karen, AF did return Wed night so that may have something to do with it. Will my supply come back after I'm "done"? I have been taking the Fenugreek and the Organic Mother's Milk tea. I have also made myself suck down as much water as possible. I talked to my OB today and she said to get back on the prenatal and see if that wouldn't kind of help out while AF was rearing her ugly head.

I'll just keep doing the best I can. I guess as long as she is getting some BM it's better then nothing.

thanks everyone