How to produce enough breast milk to ween off of formula

When my son was born he had jaundice so I’ve been combo feeding. The second week he stopped latching so I’ve been giving him a bottle with formula and breast milk. I’ve been pumping every 2-3 hours including the night. I’ve been struggling to get my supply to go up during each pump, I only get 1 oz 1 1/2 oz if I’m lucky sometime only a half oz. (I got sized for my different pumps). Since he also takes formula and I combine breast milk in a bottle he usually drinks 2 1/2-3 oz. Now at one month I’ve been able to get him to latch back on not for every single feed but I’m working on it. My question is how can I get him to ween off formula since I know my milk supply has not been keeping up with what he eats per feed. I’ve been pumping after latch and every 2-3 hours pump still but I’m worried I won’t be able to make enough to completely ween off the formula. I’ve tried eating oats, making lactation energy bites, lactation cookies, drinking a gallon of water a day or at least as close to it as I can also been drinking body armor and coconut water. I’ve also used pumping Princess supplements and eating enough calories. Please help 😩 he’s also been showing signs of reflux we have an appointment on Friday.

Read more on Peanut

The views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of Peanut.

Learn more about our guidelines.

Add a comment

I'm in the same boat, following! We are at 7 weeks and my boy drinks 3-4oz a feed, I've been increasing production, im up to 2oz (up to 4 sometimes) per pump. I've found that I get more supply when I'm less stressed, but that's hard to do when you are stressed about pumping

It’s a struggle I’m lucky if I get 2oz and that’ll be a 3am pump or 5am pump. I also try not to stress about it but it’s hard when I feel like I’ve tried everything. Good luck to you 🙏🏼 Hopefully soon but I’m also so tired of pumping 😩

A pump isn’t always the best option due to various things such as incorrect flange size and the fact that your body might just not react to it as well as it would the baby. Baby’s saliva on your nipple will communicate to your body to make milk. It might take a while but my advice is to cluster feed as much as you can, it might seem baby isn’t getting enough and ur constantly feeding but this is them telling your body what you need so give it a chance. This will bring supply up (remember it can take up to 16 weeks for supply to regulate). I would offer the breast more than formula and try to gradually come away from the formula as you’re more confident in your own supply. Just remember your supply probably won’t go up unless your actually offering baby the boob. The fact baby has a good latch puts you in a good position. Good luck xx

Thank you, I will definitely do that. This definitely gave me some hope ❤️ esp since he’s actually latching again he’s taken less formula today then before so I’m hoping that is a good sign 🤗

No worries! Definitely sounds like a good sign. Just remember your supply won’t just magically go up, you have to give your body a reason to make the milk (I.e have baby suckling constantly) 💕

Thanks for the reassurance, I definitely needed it. I’m glad he started latching again ☺️ I’ll make sure to latch every chance I get!

We went through the same thing with our son and not to cause fear bc everyone is different but my supply never went up. My son latches and is only breastfed when I’m home with him but what he takes in a bottle due to having adjusted to the formula calories is not anywhere near what I produce. When he goes to daycare he gets 4 7oz bottles (he’s 7 months now) and that’s 5oz of formula and 2oz of breast milk and then we do one full formula bottle right before bed. I only pump at work at this point because I was KILLING myself trying to increase my supply. I did everything, power pumped, water, protein, oats, every supplement on the market. I’ve learned to come to terms and accept that he still gets 8-10oz of breast milk a day. He is still getting the benefits of breast milk and breast feeding and even though my body is not producing enough while pumping he is fed and he is happy and growing! I wish someone would have shared this experience with me because I went crazy feeling inadequate.

Thank you for your honestly & story. I struggled with my first 8 years ago I wasn’t nearly as informed as I am now but if I just end up having a low supply at least I know I tried everything in my power.

in our community

Over supply of milk

I am nearly 5weeks postpartum and I have such a big over supply of BM.
Has anyone donated / sold their supply, if so where do you recommend for this?

AITA

In the uk there is an outbreak of meningitis, in a specific area mainly. My BD has family from that area and decided to go and meet up with them, I said if he does then he cannot have contact with the kids for 7-10 days after incase he picks anything up. Am I being over dramatic? I reallyyy don’t want my young kids getting anything serious

Baby clothes

Just out of curiosity, why do parents love zipper onesies?

Don’t get me wrong, I tried zipper ones it’s easy to zip in and out when putting it on the first time and taking it out, but I find it difficult when changing diapers especially when baby is asleep.

I prefer those kimono style buttons where it’s easy to button or too down button with crotch snaps.

Is everyone thinking the same or different? Lol

This might rattle some people

Ok, this might get a bit long, and a bit bumpy, so get comfy and buckle up.

So about a week or 2 ago, there was a post on here regarding sleepovers. Not letting their child go to them as you can't trust who'll be at the house etc.

Now, given recent incidents in nurseries and schools, plus my own experience back in the 90s, I am more concerned about sending my child to nursery and later school than I am to a friend's house for a sleep over.

The other day a man was jailed for abusing children at the nursery he worked at. A woman has been arrested for sleeping with an underage boy and then getting pregnant by a different underage boy while on bail for the first offence.

Young girls and boys get sexually harassed and bullied when at school, not all of them. But more than you think. And not just by other kids, but by adults who we as parents are trusting to look after our kids.

A sleepover, is a more controlled environment, with only a handful of people coming into contact with your child. A school, a club etc there can be 100s of people coming into contact with your child.

I was targeted at 7 years old by the owner of a prominent private school. Thankfully, I wasn't SA'd. In year 5 of primary school, I started to develop early, I was harassed by the boys and teachers made remarks about how my uniform didn't fit right, always "adjusting it" around my chest and legs.

Years 7-9 of secondary school were hell. But it was all under the guise of "we're just messing around". A teacher twanging my exposed bra strap (none uniform day) is not "messing around".

Boys pinning me down trying to rip open my shirt to see my breasts.

I fear for my daughter. I hope she takes after my father's family, flat chested.

We need to educate all our children, what is acceptable behaviour. And to come to us, as their parents should ANYTHING happen.

Car seat

No idea which car seat to get next. Please hit me with your recommendations, 1year+ (preferably rear facing or 360). Thank you 🫶🏻

At this point I’m not enjoying motherhood

My 22 month old is horrendous at the moment🫣 biting, hitting, pushing, pulling and shoving not only adults but children he also wants what other children have and will just snatch it away from them.

We repeat ‘nice hands’ ‘be gentle’ ‘let’s share’ etc

But how do I make him understand what he’s doing isn’t very nice? At the end of the day I feel like I’ve just been saying his name all day and nothing else.

What can I do?