Ask the Lactation Consultant As the Director of the Lactation Center at Culpeper Regional Hospital, Cindy is a great resource for us all. She has been a Registered Nurse since 1986 working primarily with mothers and babies in the hospital setting. In 1993 after her personal breastfeeding experiences with her two children, Cindy became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. She now works with mothers in labor and delivery, newborn nursery and postpartum, in addition to doing in and out patient consultations and home visits. Cindy has also developed a wonderful website breastfeedingonline.com, that provides articles, advice, and encouragement to those interested in breastfeeding. With her extensive personal and professional experience, Cindy Curtis is a fantastic source of information and a wonderful inspiration, to all who are considering breastfeeding or experiencing the joy and challenges of it right now.		Cindy Curtis, RN, IBCLC Ask Cindy a question

Question submitted March 23, 2002.

I have a 6 day old infant. He will not breast feed so I have been extracting milk and also using formula. I have not been able to extract a large quanity of milk. Out of his approximate 8 feedings a day he is receiving about 6 oz of breast milk and the rest is formula, about 15 oz. I wanted to know what a good formula to breast ratio would be to keep him nourished properly, or should I switch to just formula?

No, don't switch to all formula, any breastmilk your baby received is an incredible health benefit to him and to you.
You didn't say what type of pump you are using? You need a quality hospital grade rental pump such as the Medela Lactina or the Medela Pump in Style, any lesser pump will not stimulate and maintain supply. You need to pump about every 2.5 - 3 hours with the double set up for about 15 minutes. Fenugreek is also a herb that really helps to increase supply, find info on it on my web page: http://users.erols.com/cindyrn/fenugreek.htm

Cindy

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Read a transcript of a chat with Cindy Curtis about The Basics of Breastfeeding.