Help!

I think your milk supply still has not regulated at 8 days, you have many more weeks! What makes you feel like your baby needs supplementing with formula?

Also keep in mind that the pump usually cannot take out milk as efficiently as your baby!☺️

I might be able to help! First could you tell me a little more about why you’re supplementing? Is baby having trouble gaining weight? Or were they not having enough wet diapers?

baby nursing will release your milk better than a pump. keep baby latched and nursing as much as possible. i would focus on getting confident with breastfeeding before worrying about pumping

You’re doing an amazing job — especially in those early, exhausting days! ❤️ At 8 days postpartum, it’s totally normal for your supply to still be regulating. Breastfeeding is a supply-and-demand process, so frequent nursing or pumping (even if output looks small) is actually telling your body what your baby needs long term.

A few tips that helped me:

Try to latch baby frequently, even if just for comfort — baby is more effective than a pump.
If time is tight, consider power pumping once a day (20 mins on, 10 off, 10 on, 10 off, 10 on).
Make sure you’re hydrated, fed, and resting when you can — it all supports supply.
And if formula is part of your journey right now, that’s okay. It doesn’t mean breastfeeding is over — it just means your baby is fed and loved.


Be gentle with yourself — your body is healing, and your baby is still learning too. You’ve got this 💛

I was told by the hospital to supplement, a couple days after birth he wasn’t having enough wet diapers and he was jaundiced

We had to wait for my milk to come I with my son as well. He had lost too much weight in the first 24hrs so they had us supplementing with formula until my milk came in.

They had me putting him to breast first each feed. Then feeding him previously expressed breastmilk (I was pumping for 20 mins after putting him to breast). Then topping up the last but of the feed with formula.

It took 2/3 weeks for my milk to come in. Getting like 2-3 Oz from each side. I still usually only get like 4oz a breast when I pump. But my son was on the bigger side until he started walking 😅

My first was jaundiced so I totally understand - it’s scary! I’d talk with your pediatrician & try to see a lactation consultant if you can. And don’t be afraid to speak up if you want more support or information! Our pediatrician recommended supplementing & I asked if we could try exclusively BFing first. She gave me a few days to try it out & then checked baby’s numbers again. Supplementing can be medically necessary but it can also impact your supply. Since your supply is still adjusting you’ll want to latch baby as much as possible! It will help your body know how much to make for baby 🩷