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Breastfeeding and Formula? Opinions on mixing
Added: 1283 days ago.
Added by: Jadedpoet
Section: General.
Status: This question is Closed. (Questions will be closed after 10 days.)


Hey my little girl is now 6 days old and was born when I was 38 weeks preggo, so two weeks early. She`s healthy and all and I had to undergo a sort-of emergency c-section. (ask me and I can explain haha) Well I`m breastfeeding or trying to and 5 days after she was born I think I just experienced the letdown. I keep her at my breast to try and feed her but she never seems completely full or satisfied. Before my let down, I alternated between breast and forumla. She doesn`t have nipple confusion because she will take both but will it effect her any with me giving her breastmilk and formula afterward if she still isn`t full. At night I do give her forumla because it is quicker but in the daytime I breastfeed her before I do any formula, if she isn`t full after I keep trying to feed her with breastmilk that is when I do formula. Are the two milks bad for her digestive system and/or her? I would like opinions I understand no one is a professional so just your thoughts please. :-)

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patience21 - 1276 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I think she should be just fine. it seems like mothers that breast feed always kinda judge formula feedin mothers. But you are on both sides so you are ahead of the game.LOL. I think your baby will let you know if it is messing with her digestive system by like crying more due to tummy hurtin, or like by spitting up more. You will be able to tell if it is having a bad affect. but for the most part i think she should be good. Im pretty sure thats how im going to feed my baby too, with formula and boob. My first daughter was breast feed only and it was always such a hassle. i never liked the pump so i just boobed it all the way and it was really hard. well either way GOOD-LUCK!!

chrisk828 - 1283 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) Breastfeeding at first is challenging because u r to do it every 2-3 hours but eventually it won't be that frequent. All the little buggers act like they're starving at first. As far as mixing, probably not a good idea for the digestive system. Just give it a few weeks and you'll have it mastered and find out it'a alot easier.

Debra - 1283 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) The more you offer feeding, the fuller your breasts will become. Feed every 3 hours, both sides. Feed 15-30 min per side. If she's on for less than 15 min, start on that side the next time you go to feed. Pump after feeding her for 5-10 minutes at least. Make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids. You need at least 3 Litres or 3/4 gallon of milk, juice or water per day. Dont' drink anything dehydrating such as caffeine or alcohol for the first few weeks. It will take upwards of 6 weeks for your milk to match her demands. She is also more likely going through a growth spurt right now or will in 2-4 days. this occurs once a month and baby will want to eat more and sleep more. Just feed her on demand and let her keep sucking on you (but no more than 30 min per side) or else you will get really sore. Use lanolin cream and change positions feeding her. Two milks isn't bad for her, but it isn't ideal either. She can react to the formula or even to what you've been eating which may cause more gas and thus fussiness. Please read through the section i have on my VIP site about breastfeeding. I've included all the tips that helped me. If you have any questions, I'm an RN and would love to help. I check my mail 1-2 x per day.

KarenVG - 1283 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) As said below, pumping will increase your supply, so try in the mornings when you are fullest. Do not feel guilty about using formula it is great you are breast feeding too. Try to offer both breasts at every feeding and do not worry about how frequently you are feeding as the more you offer the breast the more the supply will increase. BF does not have a schedule like bottle feeding as it is digested quickly so they need more frequent feedings. So it may make you feel you do nothing but feed all the time but it will be the best for the baby and your supply in the long run. You sound like you are doing great...

CassandraLee - 1283 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) Do you have a pump? If shes not getting nipple confusion you could always pump some milk as well. Pumping will help keep up your supply. And if shes still hungry and you are having trouble feeding her on the breast you can give her a bottle of breast milk. Mixing the formula and breast milk will be fine, it wont hurt her. But since she was a little early it would probably be better for her to have mostly breast milk. GOOD LUCK! :)

Mrs.M.H. - 1283 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I completely agree with the below and really try more with the breast feeding it is a reaction induced but the baby that makes you lactate. With out enough stimulation you may not be as productive. The baby will be going for the easier food too and it's not you I'm afraid. Every two hours for feeding isn't unusual at this age, they are hungry and you are just getting into the swing of how much baby wants and how much you need to make avalible. I did both with my daughter too because she seemed fussy too and I was having a hard time producing enough for her. I was on meds to help with it and she just simply decided one day that she was going to go to the bottle and wasn't even going to take breast milk from that! SO really if you don't want to miss out on her getting breast milk try to pump a bit in between or express so that when it comes to bottles at night, you may be able to give her the real thing instead of formula. Don't worry about running out your body will adjust to make more for the fallowing time. It isn't bad for digestion either way and maybe she just wants to spend the extra time with you. They did spend every moment with us to get this far and it can be easy being alone now:) Good luck and I hope things will work well for you!

Lorien - 1283 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) You can breastfeed and formula feed. What is important is that she is getting breast milk. Just keep in mind the more you bottle feed the less milk you will produce and it is easier for her to get milk from a bottle than a breast so she may begin to prefer the bottle at some point. Also remember after you let down continue to nurse because your baby is still getting milk . If you have problems still try contacting the Le leche league, they are breast feeding experts and always willing to help a nursing mom in need. Here is there web site http://www.llli.org/. Here is another good link that tells how much and how often they should be nursing. Your baby will also sometimes use you as a pacifier and not really be hungry. I nursed my first one every hour round the clock because I thought she was hungry! I think she just liked hanging out there because she was huge!