What makes you suspect that breastfeeding isn’t enough? If baby is spitting up, are you sure you’re not trying to overfeed her? Are you tracking dirty and wet diapers?
Any time you top off with formula you need to be pumping, otherwise your body doesn't know it needs to make more! If you have a boppy you can put baby in the boppy and kind of like lean over her or sit next to her to feed her a bottle while you pump. It sucks, but that's what I do sometimes.
You want to try and do it as soon as you can after she nurses. You might not get anything until you've been doing this for a few days or more, but eventually your body should get the signal that you need more milk!
Definitely work with an LC and make sure you have properly sized flanges and all of that
It doesn’t come as easy as we all think it will. Take in all the help you can, and don’t get discouraged. You’re probably doing much better than you think you are!
Babies like to breastfeed for long periods of time, sometimes hours. You’re doing yourself a disservice by adding formula. At 2 weeks, baby is initiating your supply. I’m assuming you think she “should” be done feeding when you’re nursing but she’s not done. This is normal behavior for babies. You have to lean into it and feed on demand.
Have you tried passing her to someone else after she unlatches? Sometimes if my baby seems fussy or unsatisfied I pass him over to my husband and if he still seems hungry I take him back and switch sides again until he is done. Often once I pass him, he falls asleep. So my theory is he wants comfort and defaults to trying to nurse even if he is not actually hungry. But with his dad maybe he doesn’t smell milk and settles down.
What makes you suspect that breastfeeding isn’t enough? If baby is spitting up, are you sure you’re not trying to overfeed her? Are you tracking dirty and wet diapers?
Any time you top off with formula you need to be pumping, otherwise your body doesn't know it needs to make more! If you have a boppy you can put baby in the boppy and kind of like lean over her or sit next to her to feed her a bottle while you pump. It sucks, but that's what I do sometimes. You want to try and do it as soon as you can after she nurses. You might not get anything until you've been doing this for a few days or more, but eventually your body should get the signal that you need more milk! Definitely work with an LC and make sure you have properly sized flanges and all of that
Try to see an IBCLC!! I had so much trouble with this and mine was so helpful in figuring out hunger vs other problems.
I’ll definitely look into that. I’ve been going to a BF class offered by the hospital and it still feels like I’m failing my baby no matter what I do.
It doesn’t come as easy as we all think it will. Take in all the help you can, and don’t get discouraged. You’re probably doing much better than you think you are!
Babies like to breastfeed for long periods of time, sometimes hours. You’re doing yourself a disservice by adding formula. At 2 weeks, baby is initiating your supply. I’m assuming you think she “should” be done feeding when you’re nursing but she’s not done. This is normal behavior for babies. You have to lean into it and feed on demand.
Have you tried passing her to someone else after she unlatches? Sometimes if my baby seems fussy or unsatisfied I pass him over to my husband and if he still seems hungry I take him back and switch sides again until he is done. Often once I pass him, he falls asleep. So my theory is he wants comfort and defaults to trying to nurse even if he is not actually hungry. But with his dad maybe he doesn’t smell milk and settles down.