What is the best way to cope with having to give supplements long term to have it impact milk supply the least?
I'm starting to fear that I may be stuck with supplementing long term. I've gotten my supply up enough but it still doesn't seem to help, baby only gains weight when we give that extra expressed milk to him via SNS and/or bottle.
It seems to be a milk transfer issue.
So, if I must continue supplementing long term, I would like some advice on how to handle giving 3-5 ounces per day.
I can use the SNS for up to two feedings per day (usually only about 1-1 1/2 oz max at a time) but more than that and he starts trying to latch onto the tube instead of the breast and feedings get really fussy and tricky. Also it is difficult to get a good latch when using the SNS so I would really rather avoid using it more than absolutely necessary.
When DH is home I will sometimes let him give one or two 2 oz bottles per day either right before or right after a breast feeding in the afternoon when my supply is lowest and I will pump extra but DH travels for work and is out of town for a week at a time often so that is not a daily answer.
I have not yet given DS any bottles myself so I'm not even sure if he would take a bottle from me. I haven't really wanted to try with bottles for fear of it causing more problems with breastfeeding. Is it ok for me to use a bottle for him once per day? If so, suggestions?
So that leaves me wondering how best to deal with giving another 1-3 oz to DS.
I suppose I could finger feed using the SNS but does anyone have any other suggestions? DS is only 12 weeks old.