EllaG`s poll Show results | Hide results

Aiona (713.9 days ago)
I have done a combination as well, as I really never made enough to pump for when I`m away. I too question the benefits of breastfeeding. Research shows it decreases allergies, but in practicality, in my patient population, I see no difference between my breastfed versus formula fed patients in terms of allergies, asthma, and ear infections. I have seen anemia in some breastfed infants beyond 6 months who are not on iron supplementation, though, but I see that in some formula fed infants too. I was formula fed, and I was never sick as an infant, and I don`t have any food or medication allergies at all. I`ve also never had an ear infection. I think the health of the baby really depends on the health of its caregivers.

Lou-Li-Ro (750.5 days ago)
Ella did you read that article in the Irish Times Health supplement magazine a while back? It said that new studies have found that breastmilk doesn`t actually have all that many benefits as everyone`s been told, and that apparently (I quote): `Basically a mother who finds she has difficulty shouldn`t feel guilty - it probably is just the way it is, and her baby will not suffer for being fed formula milk. A mother should do what makes her happy.` and: `the study found no evidence that breastfeeding reduced the risk of asthma and allergies in children`. and: `When you look at the epidmiological studies and try to strip away the other factors, it is really hard to find any substantial benefits among children who were breastfed as babies` and: `Prof Carlsen said what really affects the health of a growing infant was the hormone balance in the womb before birth, according to the research` -- I`m not at all saying that I know this information is definitely correct or anything, but I thought that article was thought-provoking at least. And maybe it`ll make those who have to/choose to formula-feed feel better, as I know they can often feel/be made to feel overwhelmingly guilty.

EandTsmum (751.2 days ago)
I combined with my twins. I would pump as much milk as I could then top it up with formula and give it in a bottle. It was just more convienient for me this way as one of my boys wasn`t gaining weight at 7 weeks old. I was told I could breastfeed and follow that with a formula top up but it was literally a 3-4 hour process so I decided to just mix the two together and give it all in a bottle. Worked well for us.

Heather12 (751.6 days ago)
Started out breastfeeding all 3 of my babies. I have always had trouble getting my babies to latch on properly and didnt have anyone to show me what I was doing wrong. So I ended up switching to formula with my 1st and 2nd babies after about 3 weeks. My 3rd baby I stopped breastfeeding at 6 weeks and exclusively pumped my breastmilk and fed her with a bottle until she was 12 months old. Had plenty of milk never had to supplement.

juels101 (751.6 days ago)
Am now breastfeeding my third. Have had problems with milk production each time, however when it happens I get domperidone (sp?) which has always corrected the problem. Used formula around 11mo with both after they weened themselves, but quickly just switched to cows milk

numberj (751.7 days ago)
Breastfed till 6 weeks, and had to stop bcs i didn`t produce enough milk. Midwife thought it would be a good idea for my baby to go on formula milk, bcs i was looking like death, and so tired, and baby was not gaining weight. This time i will try to breastfeed again, and hope i produce milk but if not i will bottle feed again. What ever works for you, and your baby is great.

canadababy (751.7 days ago)
I combination fed the whole time. I breastfed and pumped and then started giving the odd bottle of formula when she was a few weeks old, my DD never cared as long as she was eating :) I started slowly weaning her to more formula at 9months and onto milk at 11months. She`s never been picky with anything like that.

t555rm (751.7 days ago)
Tried supplementing with formula the initial months but he wasn`t a fan of it, in fact he started refusing it completely after 2 months. And since then he was EBF till he started solids.

jaychay (751.7 days ago)
i tried to breast feed my son but he wouldnt latch on so i had to express my milk into his bottles after 4 weeks my milk dried up so he was then formula fed. i am hoping to breast feed this time but if it fails i will formula feed again

jekajoy (751.7 days ago)
I breastfed exclusively for 4 months but didn`t get to pump enough at work so I had to give some bottles of formula from 4 months -10 months. Found out I was preggo at 10 months and my daughter wanted nothing to do with my milk, must have tasted weird?

EllaG (751.7 days ago)
The reason I ask, is because I`m interested in seeing how many combination feed. Most of the healthcare professionals that I have encountered have told me to choose either breastfeeding or formula feeding, not both. I have supplemented from the start as my girl never could get enough, but I refuse to switch completely to formula as I want to give her the best possible start. I want people to realise that its OK to do both, you can have your cake and eat it too! So long as the baby is being fed adequately, it shouldn`t matter if its breastmilk, formula or both.

ibaheir2dathrone (751.7 days ago)
1st and 3rd babies I bf as long as I could then formula. The 2nd was bm but I pumped. The fourth I tried to bf and I had to stop after 5 days because of meds I needed weren`t safe for her. (btw I had to pump for her too.)



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