I need some advice and suggestions...

[BrightSparkles]

Ok I need to ask for this advice and suggestions but with no critisism for my plans please.

Ok....

I'm going back to wk in 2 wks. Miss S is currently BF and has been since birth. I would like to be able to continue to do at least a morning and a night BF but during the day she will most likely have to have formula because I simply (after allot of trying) can't seem to express enough for her feeds during the day. (i'm lucky to express 125ml a day)
I have been trying the last few days (about 5) to get her used to having some formula but she is just refusing it all the time. I thought maybe because she can smell my milk so i have given her to DH to give it to her and the same thing. I have 3 different bottles that we have been/are trying but same thing - she is refusing them all.

i'm scared she'll starve when i go back because she won't have anything but my milk and I can't give it to her. Is it a case of she'll have the bottle when there is no other option???

Has anyone else had this problem? What do I do??

[YoYo]

Have you ever given her your BM in a bottle before? Maybe it's not just the milk but the teat / bottle. Maybe it's too slow or too fast, too hot, too cold? I guess it would be like everything else...trial and error and persistence....BUT I really don't know, DD won't even put a dummy in her mouth without spitting it out in disgust!!!

[mrsmac]

When I went back when Erin was 4 months she drank water during the day (she refused formula too) and bf heaps when I was home. I was lucky though I fed her at 8am and then again at 3pm and only worked 3 days a week. I could never express either, even though i fed easily expressing was a complete disaster.

[ss_storm]

can you try feeding her from a cup?

[BrightSparkles]

Have you ever given her your BM in a bottle before? Maybe it's not just the milk but the teat / bottle. Maybe it's too slow or too fast, too hot, too cold? I guess it would be like everything else...trial and error and persistence....BUT I really don't know, DD won't even put a dummy in her mouth without spitting it out in disgust!!!

Shes had some EBM out of bottles so I don't think it's so much the bottle? I thought i'll try different formula too just to see how we go...

can you try feeding her from a cup?

I think she's little bit little yet (4.5months)...but will try if it comes to it...

When I went back when Erin was 4 months she drank water during the day (she refused formula too) and bf heaps when I was home. I was lucky though I fed her at 8am and then again at 3pm and only worked 3 days a week. I could never express either, even though i fed easily expressing was a complete disaster.

Maybe she'll be liek this??

[peanutter]

I second yules' question re whether you've tried ebm in a bottle, to get her used to it, and test out different flow teats?

another thing to try might be to mix some of your EBM in with the formula?

would you like some ideas for ways to increase your milk supply? or will it be too difficult to express when you're back at work?

please don't take that as second guessing your plans - just trying to make as many suggestions as possible for you to consider

good luck, from another working mummy

[~me~]

What about a Nuby cup. They are spout shaped where the spout is silicone like the bottle. Perhpas try expressing a little and mix it with the formula then decrease the expressed amount?
Like mrsmac has said, she may be alright with water during day as long as she has the big feeds at the start and at the end.

[BrightSparkles]

I second yules' question re whether you've tried ebm in a bottle, to get her used to it, and test out different flow teats?

another thing to try might be to mix some of your EBM in with the formula?

would you like some ideas for ways to increase your milk supply? or will it be too difficult to express when you're back at work?

please don't take that as second guessing your plans - just trying to make as many suggestions as possible for you to consider

good luck, from another working mummy

I wasn't sure if I could do half and half but am happy to try it. Re. Supply, i'm happy to try and increase it to express at wk.

What about a Nuby cup. They are spout shaped where the spout is silicone like the bottle. Perhpas try expressing a little and mix it with the formula then decrease the expressed amount?
Like mrsmac has said, she may be alright with water during day as long as she has the big feeds at the start and at the end.

Thanks hun. I'll try that too.

[Trillian]

You could also try to use newborn teats so the flow is slower. It's possible she is overwhelmed at getting the milk too quickly? Newborn teats will have a much slower flow.