OHbaby! Forums : formula top ups? https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:33:07 +0000 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:45:48 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.05 360 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=16071 <![CDATA[OHbaby! Forums]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/ <![CDATA[formula top ups? : Wow, I had no idea there were...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=350715&title=formula-top-ups#350715 Author: Danash
Subject: 16071
Posted: 10 April 2008 at 12:45am

Wow, I had no idea there were so many different reasons.  I enjoyed the read.

]]> Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:45:48 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=350715&title=formula-top-ups#350715 <![CDATA[formula top ups? : My milk supply is way too fast...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=350520&title=formula-top-ups#350520 Author: LittleBug
Subject: 16071
Posted: 09 April 2008 at 9:10pm

My milk supply is way too fast when I let-down, even though she is 2 months old, was 8 pound 2 oz when she was born, etc. Had problems with feeding ever since my milk came in. I've seen the lactation consultant a couple of times, but nothing really helps. Anyway, rather than struggle as she latches on and off and cries and gets really windy, then throws up from the whole ordeal, right before bed time... or worse, in the middle of the night... at night she gets expressed milk topped up with formula (because I usually can't express enough for her night feeds by the time the evening rolls around).

The first few times I topped up her bottle with formula, she slept all night. But now she wakes at the normal times again.]]> Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:10:14 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=350520&title=formula-top-ups#350520 <![CDATA[formula top ups? : Sounds like there were a lot of...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=350489&title=formula-top-ups#350489 Author: babyg
Subject: 16071
Posted: 09 April 2008 at 8:47pm

Sounds like there were a lot of mums who gave formula topups due to undersupply ... makes me feel pretty stink as I found I needed to do it due to oversupply

My girl too was prem and our NNU never told me to limit my expressing in those first few weeks before beginning BF. As many mums of prems experience, I found myself expressing all the time as it was all i felt i could do for my baby (everything else she required was done by someone else) Therefore, when i actually began BF Carys I was producing more than double what she could handle and really made a mess of things for me and her Funny, the nurses were very good at telling us not to touch our DD and to 'leave her be' but didn't have the sense to advise me on how much to express at each sitting Hindsight! Not trying to defend anything - just wish I could warn all mums who are about to give birth early

Sorry - rant well and truly over!

Edited by babyg]]> Wed, 09 Apr 2008 20:47:34 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=350489&title=formula-top-ups#350489 <![CDATA[formula top ups? : yes that is true..i am very sorry...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=350343&title=formula-top-ups#350343 Author: ElfsMum
Subject: 16071
Posted: 09 April 2008 at 7:31pm

yes that is true..i am very sorry i dont know what i was thinking:( !

and yes it sure does seem there are heaps of reasons! ]]> Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:31:04 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=350343&title=formula-top-ups#350343 <![CDATA[formula top ups? : No I think they were EXPLAINING...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=350334&title=formula-top-ups#350334 Author: Redbedrock
Subject: 16071
Posted: 09 April 2008 at 7:21pm

No I think they were EXPLAINING the reason behind what happened to them, lots of different reasons and outcomes from the looks of it, There doesn't seem to be two experiences that are the same]]> Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:21:41 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=350334&title=formula-top-ups#350334 <![CDATA[formula top ups? : sorry just sounded like people...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=350289&title=formula-top-ups#350289 Author: ElfsMum
Subject: 16071
Posted: 09 April 2008 at 6:30pm

sorry just sounded like people were answering the question and defending why they did it..

sorry i was wrong i apologise:)! ]]> Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:30:34 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=350289&title=formula-top-ups#350289 <![CDATA[formula top ups? : PS. I too thought you were considering...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=350188&title=formula-top-ups#350188 Author: Maya
Subject: 16071
Posted: 09 April 2008 at 4:40pm

PS. I too thought you were considering it and I was like "WTF?!" ]]> Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:40:35 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=350188&title=formula-top-ups#350188 <![CDATA[formula top ups? : foxxy_one wrote:everyone sounds...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=350186&title=formula-top-ups#350186 Author: Maya
Subject: 16071
Posted: 09 April 2008 at 4:40pm

Originally posted by foxxy_one foxxy_one wrote:

everyone sounds like they are defending themselves:) it is ok..your baby your choice:)!


I think that's a bit unfair, to me it didn't seem like ANYONE was defending themselves, just answering the question?

I started giving Mercedes formula at 3 weeks coz I had to go a strict elimination diet so she had to have 48 hours of Neocate to allow stuff to work it's way out of my system. From then on I gave them each one bottle of formula per night to get them used to the taste, but it didn't make a bugger of a bit of difference to their sleep at all.]]> Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:40:08 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=350186&title=formula-top-ups#350186 <![CDATA[formula top ups? : thanks for all the replies guys... seems...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=350182&title=formula-top-ups#350182 Author: Bizzy
Subject: 16071
Posted: 09 April 2008 at 4:35pm

thanks for all the replies guys...

seems there are just as many reasons to supplement as there are babies on ohbaby!

Thanks for sharing with me and indulging me. I really appreciate too how you all answered so honestly and without anyone getting upset.

cheers, ]]> Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:35:22 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=350182&title=formula-top-ups#350182 <![CDATA[formula top ups? : I had a baby who woke 2 hourly...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=350052&title=formula-top-ups#350052 Author: Rachael21
Subject: 16071
Posted: 09 April 2008 at 2:23pm

I had a baby who woke 2 hourly all day and night for 5 months. She wasn't prem or losing weight so I didn't bother with formula and what do you know she now sleeps all night (well most nights lol). Some babies just take longer than others to sleep through and some milk supplies take longer than others to become 'established']]> Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:23:31 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=350052&title=formula-top-ups#350052 <![CDATA[formula top ups? : foxxy_one wrote:everyone sounds...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=349986&title=formula-top-ups#349986 Author: Redbedrock
Subject: 16071
Posted: 09 April 2008 at 1:49pm

Originally posted by foxxy_one foxxy_one wrote:

everyone sounds like they are defending themselves:) it is ok..your baby your choice:)!

Nope just answering the question]]> Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:49:49 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=349986&title=formula-top-ups#349986 <![CDATA[formula top ups? : everyone sounds like they are...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=349978&title=formula-top-ups#349978 Author: ElfsMum
Subject: 16071
Posted: 09 April 2008 at 1:46pm

everyone sounds like they are defending themselves:) it is ok..your baby your choice:)! ]]> Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:46:09 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=349978&title=formula-top-ups#349978 <![CDATA[formula top ups? : I really had to as Fay was prem...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=349970&title=formula-top-ups#349970 Author: Redbedrock
Subject: 16071
Posted: 09 April 2008 at 1:41pm

I really had to as Fay was prem and I have issues with milk production, she couldn't latch and my let down was soo slow, so she had a feed, had a top up and then i expressed for her next top up on the next feed, we used formula to fill in the gaps.
I did express for 6 months and eventually she fed 50/50 EBM and formula as my output never topped 300ml a day in expressing]]> Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:41:16 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=349970&title=formula-top-ups#349970 <![CDATA[formula top ups? : I didn&#039;t top up with formula...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=349943&title=formula-top-ups#349943 Author: FionaS
Subject: 16071
Posted: 09 April 2008 at 1:08pm

I didn't top up with formula but in hindsight I wonder if I should have. Elle was majorly unsettled from 2 weeks to 10 weeks and barely slept at all. She cried all the time. She was awake every day from 10am to 7pm or so and one day she was awake for 22 hours straight. I was so tired and we were admitted to hospital only to have her awake for a further 8 hours with no support from staff. They recommended we give her some formula to settle her but I chose not to.

So we got through it without a formula top-up (my supply was good but I was soooooo tired) but sometimes I wonder if it would've made that patch a little easier on us all.

I can not express (neither could my Mum) so if I ever did need someone else to do a feed I would have to use formula (didn't with Elle but may do next time).]]> Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:08:55 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=349943&title=formula-top-ups#349943 <![CDATA[formula top ups? : Ella was on solids when I started...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=349935&title=formula-top-ups#349935 Author: Andie
Subject: 16071
Posted: 09 April 2008 at 12:57pm

Ella was on solids when I started formula - the Dietitian advised me to add it to her solid foods to boost her calorie intake, 'cause she was so blinkin skinny.  She got a bottle of formula when she was desperate for a feed (refusing solid food), losing weight and refusing the breast.  I did the breast-bottle combo for a couple of weeks and suddenly at 9 months old she flat out refused the breast, and hasn't looked back.  It worked out sooo much better for us that way. 

]]> Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:57:35 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=349935&title=formula-top-ups#349935 <![CDATA[formula top ups? : I &#034;topped up&#034; with formula...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=349924&title=formula-top-ups#349924 Author: nikkitheknitter
Subject: 16071
Posted: 09 April 2008 at 12:32pm

I "topped up" with formula for the first 3 days I had Hannah, before my milk came in.

It was because I didn't have much colostrum and she was huuuuuungry.

In saying that, I also made sure I put her on each breast for atleast 5 minutes (I think?) before giving her formula, to make sure milk production was being stimulated.]]> Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:32:11 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=349924&title=formula-top-ups#349924 <![CDATA[formula top ups? : I started topping R up with formula...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=349262&title=formula-top-ups#349262 Author: NikkiB
Subject: 16071
Posted: 08 April 2008 at 7:49pm

I started topping R up with formula when we discovered at 6 weeks that he had only put on a tiny amount of weight...we realised that I had low milk supply. So for about a week I topped him up with formula after every feed, while I worked on my milk supply. I finally got my milk supply to a level where it was enough for R, but still (to this day) give him 100ml of formula for his last feed (after he has drained both sides).]]> Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:49:12 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=349262&title=formula-top-ups#349262 <![CDATA[formula top ups? : we started giving charli formula...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=349257&title=formula-top-ups#349257 Author: jack_&_charli
Subject: 16071
Posted: 08 April 2008 at 7:47pm

we started giving charli formula at night before bedtime from about 8wks. this was because my supply was basically drained at the end of the night and she just wasn't getting enough.

i bf her until 5 1/2mths without probs]]> Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:47:26 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=349257&title=formula-top-ups#349257 <![CDATA[formula top ups? : Alot of ladies leave neonatal...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=349248&title=formula-top-ups#349248 Author: mum2paris
Subject: 16071
Posted: 08 April 2008 at 7:43pm

Alot of ladies leave neonatal units doing the top-ups by bottle simply cos the baby can't stay latched well enough to have a good feed or a full feed from mum, so instead of being stuck in neonates for a longer time, they try bottle/formula top-ups, simply cos mostly a sleepy baby will still take a bottle fairly well, even if they're too tuckered to stay latched to breastfeed. That's the case for alot of full term babies too, sometimes mums need to supplement until they get enough milk, usually we try to encourage mums to continue expressing, and try to lessen the amount given by top ups and increase the time on the breast as able. Many are often able to ditch the top ups after a few weeks. Other continue with that same routine - for many reasons they others have said.   I also tend to find that smaller babies they'll do that so baby will continue to gain weight well, and twins often do this too so that someone else can top-up baby while mum breastfeeds the other.

I did the same, exclusively breastfed for a long time, and encouraged daycare to do the cupfeed thing if she woke in between or i couldn't get there in time when she was really young, then moved to giving bottles of ebm, then finally became so exhausted doing afternoon shifts, coming home, expressing for the next day, dealing with feeding little miss ayja too then trying to get sleep before the next day, that we introduced formula.

I do agree though that sometimes people introduce formula top ups as a way to try and make baby sleep longer, it very rarely does actually make them more settled, babies demand feed for a reason when they're tiny, cos their tummies are tiny too. If you add formula just to try and get baby to sleep thru, it's not really a great reason to do so, and usually doesn't work

Edited by mum2paris]]> Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:43:01 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=349248&title=formula-top-ups#349248 <![CDATA[formula top ups? : for us, it took so long to fill...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=347202&title=formula-top-ups#347202 Author: BellaBoo
Subject: 16071
Posted: 07 April 2008 at 8:34am

for us, it took so long to fill her up at the last feed and she would get upset because my milk woulnt flow very well. I expressed for 3mnths but then got sick and tired of doing that. So now, I let her drain me and then give her a little bit of formula (she never takes more than 60ml). I have told myself that if she ever takes more than 120mls then I will increase my supply again by expressing etc.]]> Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:34:58 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=347202&title=formula-top-ups#347202 <![CDATA[formula top ups? : yummymummy wrote: ETA: My first...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=347191&title=formula-top-ups#347191 Author: peanut butter
Subject: 16071
Posted: 07 April 2008 at 8:16am

Originally posted by yummymummy yummymummy wrote:


ETA: My first thoughts too were in the line of "OMFG Deb is looking at formula?????"


Me too!! ]]> Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:16:22 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=347191&title=formula-top-ups#347191 <![CDATA[formula top ups? : I expressed with Gina for the...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=347125&title=formula-top-ups#347125 Author: yummymummy
Subject: 16071
Posted: 07 April 2008 at 2:22am

I expressed with Gina for the first 6 months or so and she would have that. We used to give her formula top-ups once a week or so purely because I did not have enough breastmilk.

ETA: My first thoughts too were in the line of "OMFG Deb is looking at formula?????"

Edited by yummymummy]]> Mon, 07 Apr 2008 02:22:06 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=347125&title=formula-top-ups#347125 <![CDATA[formula top ups? : I wanted DH to be part of the...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=347118&title=formula-top-ups#347118 Author: babyg
Subject: 16071
Posted: 07 April 2008 at 12:28am

I wanted DH to be part of the feeding routine (and also for me to get to bed early). I started by expressing for that feed, but due to already having monster oversupply issues it just compounded things. I couldn't find a time which was suitable to express without making more supply so we ended up just giving Carys formula once a day instead. She happily took either formula bottle or breastfeed so worked well for us and i was able to continue combo feeding for some time.

BTW - she didn't sleep any better at night with a late night formula feed!

Edited by babyg]]> Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:28:52 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=347118&title=formula-top-ups#347118 <![CDATA[formula top ups? : I was wanting to go back to work...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=347076&title=formula-top-ups#347076 Author: peanut butter
Subject: 16071
Posted: 06 April 2008 at 10:05pm

I was wanting to go back to work part time and my freezer was getting low. I tried expressing and got a piddle (used to get 200ml in 5 min) so I was too lazy to work at building that back up and thought maybe I would use formula for those odd days I was away. Well, Tom took it no problem and happily went back to me. Sweet...I thought. Then he seemed constantly hungry and we were feeding 2hrly round the clock. Iwas at the end of my tether when Plunket suggested giving him more I tried and the little bugger slept through!

Then I thought....ooooooo I can get my boobs back and wnet from there. We weaned over 2 months. basically Iwanted to keep some feeds. Ideally morning and night but it slipped to just morning and today I decided he really just doesnt want me anymore So he is completely weaned. I am sad!!!

Edited by nzpiper]]> Sun, 06 Apr 2008 22:05:21 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=347076&title=formula-top-ups#347076 <![CDATA[formula top ups? : you had me wondering too Deb!...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=347045&title=formula-top-ups#347045 Author: Two Blondinis
Subject: 16071
Posted: 06 April 2008 at 9:47pm

you had me wondering too Deb!

The first time I topped C up was because neither of us had slept in 2 days, I needed a break from the 2 hourly feeding routine she had us in. Missy slept through the night through then on, we went to 100% formula about a week later and I don't regret it for a second! She was a much happier, settled baby, I felt human again and we all lived happily ever after ]]> Sun, 06 Apr 2008 21:47:18 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=347045&title=formula-top-ups#347045 <![CDATA[formula top ups? : busymum wrote:I thought you...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=346970&title=formula-top-ups#346970 Author: Bizzy
Subject: 16071
Posted: 06 April 2008 at 9:16pm

Originally posted by busymum busymum wrote:

I thought you were looking into top-ups Deb - shock horror!


ahh, you know me too well... funny seeing as we have never met!!!

no i was just being curious!!!]]> Sun, 06 Apr 2008 21:16:49 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=346970&title=formula-top-ups#346970 <![CDATA[formula top ups? : I had to start topping Cooper...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=346949&title=formula-top-ups#346949 Author: .Mel
Subject: 16071
Posted: 06 April 2008 at 9:08pm

I had to start topping Cooper up as he was losing weight and he was getting to that failure to thrive threshold. Also my milk supply sucked. I regret it so much, because once you start those top ups you are on the slippery slope to weaning.

I had no choice though, I had to wean, the milk just wasn't there for him. I struggled with it for so long, I had no support from my mw or plunket or even an LC and it was the hardest thing I have ever had to do.

So my decision to do the top ups was for Coopers health and wellbeing.]]> Sun, 06 Apr 2008 21:08:46 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=346949&title=formula-top-ups#346949 <![CDATA[formula top ups? : For some people it could be to...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=346941&title=formula-top-ups#346941 Author: emz
Subject: 16071
Posted: 06 April 2008 at 9:06pm

For some people it could be to get DH to do the feed if they really need a break, or maybe if they're struggling with supply at night, or just don't want to express for their DH to do the night feed.]]> Sun, 06 Apr 2008 21:06:11 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=346941&title=formula-top-ups#346941 <![CDATA[formula top ups? : I thought you were looking into...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=346937&title=formula-top-ups#346937 Author: busymum
Subject: 16071
Posted: 06 April 2008 at 9:05pm

I thought you were looking into top-ups Deb - shock horror! ]]> Sun, 06 Apr 2008 21:05:23 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=346937&title=formula-top-ups#346937 <![CDATA[formula top ups? : Just wondering about the reasons...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=346926&title=formula-top-ups#346926 Author: Bizzy
Subject: 16071
Posted: 06 April 2008 at 9:01pm

Just wondering about the reasons for topping up your breastfed baby with formula...

i have noticed a few people recently talking or asking abut it and i wanted to know the reasons... if you dont mind sharing that is?!

thanks... ]]> Sun, 06 Apr 2008 21:01:20 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16071&PID=346926&title=formula-top-ups#346926