working full time + increasing supply?

[tobysmom]

I started working full a week and a half ago. My baby goes to daycare 1/2 day and I pick him up and take him home and he stays with my husband for the rest of workday. I thought I had a a pretty good backup supply (24 oz.) frozen. It's all gone! I'm pumping in the morning to have enough for daycare and I pump at work and lunchtime to have enough for my husband to feed him. Is my supply low?

I happen to be sick today so I had a good excuse for not going to work, but I would not have had enough milk for him today and he would have needed to go to daycare with formula to make up for what I didn't have. Help!! He also doesn't seem to breastfeeding as much when I come home in the evenings and at night.

He currently uses the avent bottle and the nipple has 2 holes in it. Should I switch him to a one hole nipple?

I just feel if I go to formula, it will go downhill from there.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

[oceanmamma]

From everything that I've learnt from this forum, bf babies should always have the slowest flow nipples, so yes change to the slow flow. He may not bf as much because the flow will be slower with the breast than with the 2 hole nipple from the bottle. It's hard to work and take care of a lo. I just started back half the week myself and am drop dead tired. for doing so much for your lo.

[@llli*jlk51496]

I use the avent #1 - def more work and less milk - and she is 5 mo old! How much is she being fed in a session!? They will keep taking if you offer in a bottle bec it is easier! My dh always thinks she needs more bec she cries/screams when the bottle is done, but I get up with her and walk around and she is smiling a min later. She just want to suck, not necc eat!! I only give 5 oz. Oh and I would pump more! maybe at night either in between feedings (to also trick your body to start making more) if not def after your lil one goes down for the night! If I feed my lo at 9 pm I pump again at 11pm


HTH
-Katie

[Mikenzi's Mama]

From everything that I've learnt from this forum, bf babies should always have the slowest flow nipples, so yes change to the slow flow. He may not bf as much because the flow will be slower with the breast than with the 2 hole nipple from the bottle. It's hard to work and take care of a lo. I just started back half the week myself and am drop dead tired. for doing so much for your lo.

Hey,
My DD is almost 8 mos old and we still use playtex slow flow#1 nipples. I agree with Katie, sometimes when she was that age my baby would cry like she wanted more but if we just got up and walked around she was fine (now she always spits it out trying to get up and look around). Plus, you have to give yourself time to adjust to the new schedule - it will get better dont worry to uch, it only makes things harder!

[@llli*LLLShannon]

It may not be your supply, but instead baby is being overfed. Can you give us more details of how much baby eats, how often baby eats, and how often you pump, how much you get? What kind of pump are you using?

With this information, we can help you get to the root of the problem. :-)

[@llli*leila]

I agree with PP that LO is probably being overfed. Please review/share this handout from Kellymom with DCP/DH and switch to the slowest flow you can find. I recommend the Breastflow. DD has never drunk more than 5 oz at a time since we switched at 5 months (she was drinking 6 oz sometimes w/ the Avent). And usually she was closer to 2-3 oz. HTH! Good luck!

[@llli*Laineysmom]

Here are some links you might want to check out:
http://www.workandpump.com/bottlesize.htm
http://www.workandpump.com/freezerstash.htm

Hope these help!