Supplementing every other feeding....will my breastmilk be effective?

I really would like to breastfeed exclusivley but not at the cost of my sanity.  She is 4 weeks, nurses every hour to 2 hours for almost a full hour, day and night.  BUT for two days I pumped every 2 hours and got about 2 to 3 ounces per session.  Then I gave her 3.5 of breastmilk which kept her full for almost 4 hours and then gave her the same amount in formula which lasted the same time.  If I pump exclusivley and only give her bottles alternating between breastmilk and formula, will she still get all the benefits.  AND will I be able to keep my supply if I pump every 3 hours??

Well, I consider myself pretty experienced in breastfeeding as I've breastfed two kids. I'm actually still breastfeeding my son at 11 months. I also work full time so I pump during the day as well.

My son has 1-2 bottles of formula every day. I just can't pump enough milk to keep up with his appetite. I would like to mention that breastfeeding will get easier. Soon. I think it's around 6 weeks that they start to space out their nursing sessions a bit more and sleeping longer at night.

As far as baby getting the benefits of breastmilk, the answer is yes, she will. Check out this link: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/weaning/weaning-pa rtial.html#benefits

Speaking from experience, it's difficult to maintain a supply just using a pump. Personally, I need nipple stimulation from the baby's mouth in order to keep up my supply. I know many women who have done it (including my sister-in-law) successfully. It's best to take advantage of this time when your milk supply is most likely overly abuntant (because it's hormone-driven at this point) and get a nice freezer stash going.

Here is a huge amount of info on exclusively pumping:

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/bf-links-e xcpumping.html

Good luck and let me know if you have other questions! I have a lot of resources/info if you need it!

I breastfed three kids...exclusively for 13 weeks maternity leave and then pumping when I went back to work.  Here is my take:

-  I know it seems like baby is eating constantly.  Hang in there...a good book really helped me during this period.

- I agree with the first responder...its hard to keep your supply up with the breast pump.  This means that you will slowly transition to more formula unless you start pumping more often, and more time in the milk-extraction process is what you are trying to avoid. 

- Unless you have a caregiver, you are doubling your work to pump and bottlefeed, even if you do it less often.  The baby might be less efficient getting the milk (she falls asleep, etc) but she is MORE efficient creating the milk (I am sure you have read about the hormones, let-down, etc)

- I don't believe (and this is just my opinion) that you get the same benefits as exclusive breastfeeding, but your sanity is VERY important.  Here is my suggestion:  pump after you feed her every once in a while.  That will help you increase your milk production and you build up (about an ounce at a time) a supply in your fridge that you can use when you are out and about, when her father wants a turn, or if you just need a break.

Best of luck! 

My daughter is 8 weeks old right now and I am alternating between nursing and pumping.  I was so frustrated for the first month. I also have a slow eater and I felt like she was eating constantly.  I started pumping right after feedings to get whatever was left and also when she got a bottle of expressed milk.  She gets 2 bottles a day - at bedtime and one night feeding.  At first I was getting only a little bit when I pumped (1 - 2 ounces) and I wasn't sure how I was ever going to store enough for a full feeding.  My body totally responded to the extra pumping and started producing more milk and now my freezer is full.  She also doesn't eat as often any more 2-4 hours between feedings during the day and up to 6 hours between feedings at night.  I think she is about 11 or 12 lbs right now (I'll find out at the doctor next week) and was 6lbs 10 oz when born.  It really does get easier.  I start work next week so I will be pumping even more so I hope my milk production stays high.

Thank you all for responding!  I am doing it all, pumping, formula, and breast.  Sadly I noticed after she gets breast milk she is still hungry, once I give her a small amount of formula she is as happy as a pig in mud.

I am going back to work next week and I still pump every 2 to 3 hours and my supply is doing awesome, even increasing, but so far not the amount needed for her.  The biggest factor is her getting all the benefits of breast milk.  I called my pediatrician and she said as long as she is getting breast milk she will get all the benefits, even if I have to supplement.

I began taking Fenugreek and drinking Mothers Milk tea which has helped.  Neither my mother or grandmother were able to produce enough milk either but at least for 6 months she will get the majority of her food from me.

I started pumping at 3 weeks and I don't think I really noticed a significant increase until 4 or 5 weeks so keep it up and your supply should increase. 

I have several co-workers and friends who pump exclusively and started the day the baby was born.  So yes, it is possible to keep your supply by pumping regularly. 

It took about a month before pumping really brought my milk in. 

Here is my story -

I tried breast milk exclusively and barely survived.  I spent the first month running behind - anywhere from a couple ounces each day to a couple ounces each week (I had planned ahead and stored some milk in advance of pumping regularly so I had a little milk to suppliment with).  Now, I'm making more than my 4 month old can eat.  I pump 3 times per day and bf 3-4 times per day.  I'm able to freeze about one feeding's worth each week.  I took fenugeek for the first couple weeks to help increase quickly and stopped once I had a steady supply.  My supply continued to increase without the fenugeek. 

The first month was really tough.  There were many days I considered giving up on this whole breast milk thing because I was sure I would never keep up with his demand.  Once your body catches up with what you are demanding of it, things get much easier.  Even pumping becomes less stresssful. 

I'll also mention that if you like breastfeeding, you may not want to rule it out entirely.  As babies get older, their suck gets stronger and feeding takes less time.  Early on, we were spending 45 minutes to an hour each feeding.  At four months, he rarely spends more than 15 minutes feeding and often is done in less than 10. 

I would strongly suggest visiting a lactation consultant to have a look at the milk transfer and latch.  It sounds as thought you don't have a supply issue as much as a milk transfer issue.

The milk is there but she isn't getting it as easily as with a bottle.  Here is a great site to find a good LC near you,http://www.kellymom.com/lcdirectory/index.htm l.