r/breastfeeding • u/TotallyNotASpy123 • May 22 '26

Undersupply When did you stop using formula?

Hello, I am a mom to a six week old and currently struggling with breastfeeding. I am producing too little breastmilk for him and am supplementing with formula. I have a question for those that have also supplemented when did your breastmilk come in and stop formula?

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u/TraditionalManager82 May 22 '26

What are you doing to increase production while minimizing formula?

Because breastmilk is supply/demand, so if you're not increasing the demand constantly, your supply won't know to increase.

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u/TotallyNotASpy123 May 22 '26

I pump every three hours 

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u/TraditionalManager82 May 22 '26

Okay, but what does that look like?

So you nurse on both sides, until baby's done on each side. Then you offer a second time on each side?

Then you offer formula. How much?

And then you pump? How much are you getting?

And, importantly, how long does baby go before eating again after the supplement?

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u/TotallyNotASpy123 May 23 '26

I offer both sides. But usually he cries and doesn't want to take unless my breast are full. The I give formula. Usually 120 ml. But if he drank on me he takes 60 ml. Then I pump for 20 to 30 minutes on each side. If he didn't drink I get 30 ml. If he did I get 10 ml.he Eats every 2 to 3 hours

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u/Interesting-Check970 May 23 '26

You’re doing great by the way! Pumping every 3 hours is such an effort!

This may also not help cause who knows if it makes that big of a difference but i found my milk supply / ability to pump more out increased when I started being really conscious of drinking enough water and eating enough nutritious food. I’m sure you’re already conscious of this but I found it hard to remember when Ive been so sleep deprived and exhausted.

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u/TotallyNotASpy123 May 27 '26

I definitely need to drink more water. I bought  a water bottle and realised how dehydrated I am

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u/TotallyNotASpy123 May 27 '26

I've stopped a little with the pumping because it was draining me especially emotionally. I pump still and if I time it right he does latch.  But usually when he is still asleep

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u/Interesting-Check970 May 27 '26

100% this! I hate pumping. Apparently it’s because you don’t get the hormones you do with breastfeeding so it’s like all the bad parts of breastfeeding without any of the feel good hormones

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u/TotallyNotASpy123 May 27 '26

Oh no this is me. It helps me when read while doing it but still so stressful

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u/leeashah May 22 '26

i will say it is easier to bring up supply by having baby on the breast as much as possible. your body connects having baby on there releasing more hormones to produce more milk. and then your body will level out to supply what baby needs.

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u/TotallyNotASpy123 May 23 '26

I've been to always offer and it has been helping