So I’m curious, I’ve seen people say that their babies aren’t getting enough milk ( BM or formula)…

Very true! The proof is in the diapers and weight. People always think they arent making enough because they only pump a few ounces but that's all baby needs at one feeding.

@jmedina, right! I produced enough for triplets so I never had that problem but I know so many people who’ve gotten discouraged from only pumping a few ounces here and there. I feel like LC’s should educate more before moms are sent home to figure it out for themselves because I know many people that have gotten discouraged and stopped altogether because they felt baby wasn’t getting enough.

This is amazing! I never heard of any one putting rice in the bottle because they don't think baby eats enough but I've seen people tell others to do that for their baby to sleep at night. I know they tell you to for babies with reflux but they have an awesome formula know with rice startch in jt so no rice needed. I agree with what @jmedina said you pump what baby needs

@mommytotheo, well the formula with the rice starch already added is something that I could see may help, but when people are adding rice cereal and such to bottles for either reason it can potentially be a choking hazard (although people refuse to believe that), plus it is just empty calories on top of whatever other BM/ formula they are already receiving which overfills the stomach and that is how acid reflux occurs. There are a lot of complications that can occur with reflux so to me, it’s an unnecessary risk.

I have never over produced. Always just made enough for my son. I think the max I pumped from one side was 4.5oz and he's a healthy 1yo and still breastfeeding.

What moms also need to know is that a baby can get out a LOT more milk from the boob than a pump can. So just because you only pump an oz does not mean that is all baby is getting while on the boob.

@babyjjsmommy Yes rice is a choking hazard. Lots of Drs still reccomed because they don't know how the rice starch formula its fairly new still (to my area anyways) the onky difference between that one and regular formula is that it's thicker which is why its highly reccomeded because with reflux babies the thicker the harder to get back up.

@jmedina, that’s great Mama! I have no idea why I produced so much, but it allowed me to donate a TON and I loved that. @lilnote, I agree. The problem is I feel like there are a lot of uneducated moms when it comes to these matters, and I hate that for them and the babies. Like I said in a previous comment, I wish that LC’s provided a bit more education prior to discharge from the hospital. I say that because a lot of people contact pediatricians afterwards with questions regarding breastfeeding when the person who would be able to provide the most accurate answers and advice would be a LC.

I love our doctor. She told us flat out to never put cereal in the bottle, that it's a choking hazard and leads to overfeeding and other issues. (Always exceptions, my nephew needed cereal at 2m because of severe acid reflux resulting in massive weight loss and dehydration.)

We had two of his grandmas telling us to put cereal in his bottle, that they "did it at two weeks" with all their kids and it was fine. 🙄 I didn't want to argue so just said his Dr Browns bottles would clog up.

@mommytotheo, Yeah I feel like that could be beneficial as well as long as the baby is still not over fed. The main reason for reflux is too much at one time. There are two valves on the esophagus, one that is located between the stomach and esophagus, and with too much pressure from too much being consumed at one time, the valve becomes weakened, allowing the contents to flow back into the esophagus and therefore causing acid reflux. Then when this occurs frequently, acid erodes the tissue of the esophagus which leads to further complications.

@raquely, that’s more of an appropriate age to incorporate it if you feel like you have to anyway. My son’s pediatrician said the same thing, and since I received it through WIC I think I tried it once or twice and I said the same thing. It’s literally empty calories with little nutrients. Babies get absolutely everything they need from BM or formula within the first year, which is why I cannot stand when pediatricians pressure parents to add in other things, unless it is absolutely necessary and they have malnutrition.

@nomli, that’s awesome that his pediatrician is obviously up to date and educated on the matter! Omg, I cannot stand when people use the “we survived” or “we were just fine” argument, drives me insane!

@babyjjsmommy, I know! She's marvelous. Staying with his same pediatrician was actually the main reason we didn't move as far as we had originally planned.

Right?? Like, okay lady, but when your kids were born they still thought smoking and drinking during pregnancy was cool, so sorry if I'm not gonna trust your advice.

People should do this only if directed from a dr. It's usually for reflux. Idk why people do this it's not good in my opinion.

- So I kinda felt my boy wasn’t getting enough. ONLY because I got so down when I was trying to pump, that I felt I was broken. I know it’s just me being in my emotions and not thinking properly. Medically I know as long as he’s gaining weight and soiling diapers that I’m doing what he needs. But I did get upset pumping. I had a surgery scheduled and needed 40 ounces for my baby that day, and with only a 2 week window, I got upset at the two or three ounces I’d pump a day. A good day at that. But my mom told me that that was extra milk. That I make what he needs. Supply in demand. And I felt better. But you’re right. A lot of it is probably due to lack of education! I’ve got a friend who’s done everything you shouldn’t do, and her baby is having so many issues. Stuff like solid food at 2 months. (I shit you not, I didn’t hesitate to raised my discern at her giving my chickafila fries to her 2 month old baby!) propping the baby up with pillows to drink the bottle that did have rice cereal in it 🤦🏻‍♀️ Lots I don’t necessarily agree with, and friends and family think I should step in more, either personally or professionally. But when you think about it, a lot of parenting is trial and error. Given a majority of it is common sense, which not everyone has. I ordered a cool parenting book for her. Breaks down day by day where baby should be and mom too. I get it for all my friends that get pregnant 😅😅 dang I just typed for a straight five minutes 🙈

@beccaaalynnn11, breastfeeding is ALOT harder than people imagine it to be. I nursed fine in the hospital with my son, and we got home and I had no idea when to start pumping or how much, and honestly even how to work the machine. Nobody informed me of guidelines regarding breastmilk storage, cleaning parts, setting a schedule for pumping, and pumping until your breasts were empty. Due to lack of patient education, I ended up getting mastitis at 9 days pp because I was so engorged. I pumped but wasn’t pumping to completely empty my breasts and I was staying engorged for too long before pumping. I learned a lot of what I know through trial and error and researching it myself! After almost 2 years of breastfeeding, thankfully I can say I feel totally confident breastfeeding my second baby. But yes, breastfeeding is totally a supply and demand relationship. Holy crap.. chick fil a fries?! Yeah that’s a little ignorant to be giving a 2 month old. This is why I’d like to be work in L&D or similar area where I’ll be able to help mothers and educate them about those things. Some nurses/ doctors, LC’s just get caught up doing the bare minimum because they’re so busy, but it still doesn’t forgive the fact that the well-being of babies would likely improve with further intervention and education.

- See, a lot of it I didn’t know either! We struggled in the hospital. My most intimate photo is of my son, maybe two days old, we fought to latch and he finally latched without the shield! If you don’t know the struggle bending the photo, it just looks like a baby nursing 😅 lots of tears though! I felt I had a great lactation nurse. She just jumped in, no boundaries which was just insane to me at first 😅😅 I got so frustrated last time I pumped, I haven’t pumped in a day or two. I’ve got 38 ounces, I only really needed 30.. but still. I wanted 40. I guess I’ll try to get the last two today and tomorrow. I think that would be awesome! I kinda wanted to be my nurses while I was there. All the babies they get to see. Important work! Takes special people. So I hope you make it there! 💕

Girl yes! She told me her doctor said it was okay. I told her to stop taking my food 😅 I think she’s finally understanding that there’s merit to what I tell her. You’re right. They do get busy so it’s easy to not go the extra mile. I think you’d make a great nurse. I have great respect for NICU nurses.

@beccaaalynnn11, oh I totally understand how meaningful that is! I had to start exclusively pumping for a few weeks when I got mastitis that first time because the pain was absolutely excruciating to nurse my son (it wasn’t much better with the pump), but we fought through and did what we had to do and I got brave enough to latch him finally and he took it and did so well, I remember sitting there feeling so proud and overwhelmed with emotion. It’s such a rewarding feeling! Everybody’s excuse is that “my doctor said it’s okay” 😂😂😂 I’d be like girl please, who’s your doctor because he/she needs to lose their license! I’m in my 3rd of 5 semesters to go until I can put RN behind my name so next year I will officially be a nurse 🙌🏼 then I definitely would love to become a lactation consultant eventually. Originally I had wanted to work in the NICU, but I’m torn between that and L&D! Thank you girl ❤️

- Awww. See! It’s the best feeling for me so far in life. You’re right, nursing isn’t as easy as everyone thinks it is! I’m glad you got through that! 💪🏻 oh no, I was ready to call her doctor, then she changed it to her grandma 😅 we have an odd relationship. She was in a class I taught for a few months towards the middle end of my first pregnancy. So we were never really on the same level I guess you could say. She’s my friend, but I’m the mom friend. With her and all my other friends 😅 nurturing I guess 🤦🏻‍♀️

Oh wow! Go you! 💪🏻💪🏻🎉🎉 that’s exciting. I know it’s a hard program. Especially with baby number two coming 💕 Big accomplishment! I may start behind you next year 💪🏻