Need Your Suggestions/advise/input...

I am a licensed childcare provider I have a 2 mth old in my care. We mix formula and breast milk in every feeding she has. She is not satisfied with the breast milk alone.

Responses..Hope these are helpful. I have 3 kids, with 3 totally different experiences with breast feeding.
First child.. hated nursing the first 6 weeks, cried, I bled, and finally on the 7th week its stopped. I even used nipple shields the first 2 days to make the bleeding stop. Nursed for 6 months. Second child.. not a good latcher, every time I tried to nurse she would fall espleep. I would spend the entire time trying to wake her. Finally I started pumping and supplimenting with formula. she took the bottle much better. At 8 weeks I had to get my gall bladder out, was in the hospital for a week and i couldn't eat or drink (even though I was pumping and they knew I was nursing) in the Hospital my mild dried up.
Kid 3... It was sore at the beginning, but my son latched on great, nursed beautifully and I nursed him exclusively for one year.

1.I did not consult my husband about my decision to stop breastfeeding. He was very supportive either way.

2. They say that a new born should drain a breast in 3 minutes. Mine usually took 10 on each breast. If they are taking longer they are using your breast for comfort. BAd habit to break.

3. I would just suppliment with formula if you want to introduce it. Don't mix it. The only thing I mixed breastmilk in a was cereal and food, to thin it out.

4. And yes I am sure on several occasions I lost track of time and fed my kids a bottle that had been sitting out around an hour. Obviously, I would not make it a habit, I would try my hardest to put it in the fridge and reheat it for a coupld seconds.

Good luck. Hope some of this helps. I would continue to try to nurse if you can. Those first weeks are very, very hard. If you are not producing enough (which you would know because Dallas would not be gaining very much weight) then you would have to suppliment.
Not everyone is meant to breastfeed and its important that you know you are not failing your child as a parent by not being able to.
Keep loving that Baby, Dallas is a great name!

Hi Summer,

1. Do you share parenting decisions in general or are you expected to bear the burden of all child raising issues at this time? Unless your husband wants nothing to do with raising your son at this time I would suggest discussing the issue at least so he knows what your rationale is. Ultimately it is your decision.

I would also ask why you wish to stop breastfeeding? If you are having difficulties then please be aware there are many resources to help you. Nursing Mothers Counsel and La Leche League are two great volunteer organisations that can be very helpful. Professional help is also available from a qualified Lactation Consultant - you can find one in your area at www.ilca.org or if you want contact me and I'll see if I can help (yes I am an LC).

There are definite health risks associated with formula feeding rather then breastfeeding or breastmilk feeding. Please be familiar with them before you commit to the change. That said it is a very personal decision and breastfeeding is not the best choice for everyone.

2. I would expect a 6 week old to stay latched for at least 20 minutes per side if feeding both breasts or at least 20-30 minutes if there is sufficient milk from one breast. Some will take much longer to feed, others are already more efficient. Most babies will eventually (usually after a 2-3 months) become efficient enough to complete a full feed in about 20 minutes. Newborns are still developing the muscles and skill to do this and new moms are still developing efficient breasts. The general guideline is that as long as baby is still actively feeding (deep jaw action and regular quiet swallows) we recommend allowing them to do so. As they slow their swallows you can add breast compression or massage if you wish to speed the feed (watch not to "flood" the baby). If baby is sleepy and not completing the feed, gentle stimulation or the breast compression/massage mentioned may help him stay awake and active. Eventually he should take himself off if you do not let him go to sleep at the breast. There is no harm in letting him sleep at the breast if he has already completed his feed, however it is a personal choice and limits are ok in that situation.

3. Yes you can though if you are using both there are some advantages to keeping them separate. Giving the breastmilk first then the formula means you are less likely to throw out breastmilk if Dallas does not finish the bottle. There is also an argument for keeping breastmilk feeds/supplements separate to formula feeds/supplements. There are components of formula that can interfere with some of the protective elements of breastmilk. (For example, the iron in formula can bind with the lactoferin in breastmilk and prevent it from protecting baby.) I never suggest not breastfeeding because you are going to supplement but some families choose to pool their expressed milk until they have sufficient for a full supplement (or feed) and use either milk or formula in a bottle rather then mixing. Again, mixing is common and a valid choice.

4. As formula does not contain the living cells and active components of breastmilk it is not safe to leave out for as long. That said I am sure there are those who do, just as there are those who leave other food out longer then recommended. Dallas does not have much natural protection against bacteria etc (that is one of the things he relies on your milk for) so if he falls sick from contaminated or "off" formula he may become very sick. Guidelines are usually based on general safe food handling practices. That said, any food will likely be safe longer at cool room temperatures then warm ones, and safe least long when standing in the sun.

1. Yes, I would consult, but if I was still able to produce milk for my baby I would keep feeding. Formula is full of junk like high fructose corn syrup. Statistics show that breast-fed babies are healthier.
2. Every child is different. At 6 weeks my son stayed latched on for about 20 minutes each side. Now I produce milk and it lets down much faster so he can be done eating from one side in about 10 minutes and be content.
3. Yes, I have heard of people doing so, but again.. why?
4. If you want to leave out formula for a period of time I would not suggest doing it with the dairy formula. Would you drink a glass of milk that had been sitting out? Use the same rule of thumb.

1. I didn't consult. I had discussions with my husband, but there was no consulting. It ended when I or the baby wanted it to end.

2. Each baby is different. Some will nurse for hours if you let them and others for about 7 minutes on each side. Just as long as they're growing and seem happy, you're fine.

3. Yes, you can mix the two. I did it a lot, especially towards the end when I couldn't pump enough to fill a bottle.

4. You can leave formula out for more than an hour. The hour cut-off time is there, because nobody wants to take any chances with babies. It's kind of like sunscreen: who is going to test this stuff on babies? That said, don't let it go for hours and hours, although I think we did by mistake a couple times. The baby won't take anything that has gone bad. I just brought along insulated lunch bags when we were on the road.

HI, Summer;
Every family with its individual members is so different. So, really, there may be no "correct" answers. That is good! My husband thought breast feeding was a good thing because of the cost of formula, but also knew that I had some problem feeling "in the mood" toward him while breast feeding; so he left it all up to me. In the end, what ever would make me feel better was what he wanted. Ever heard of that saying "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy"? (Most husbands don't want to hear "complaining.") As for leaving formula out, I think that is just what you can feel okay with. My sister was throwing stuff out all the time cause it was left out 1/2 hour, while I would leave it in the diaper bag on a day trip, and use it anyway. We never had any problem, but maybe her kids have sensitive stomachs. I think the main thing is that it just gives some folks the heebie-jeebies. Enjoy your boy!

Hi Summer,

I can speak from experience here: my 7-mo was breastfed for 5 weeks then switched to formula. She latched on and fed great from day 1, but I went from normal soreness the first week to cracked and bleeding from that point on. I bled every feeding and the pain was excrutiating. Went to lactation consultants weekly and they always said she was latched and suckling perfectly. I tried every product out there. Anyway, I'll spare you the gorey details, but it was bad, and my husband (and I!) really wanted to breastfeed for at least six months.

1) Of course my hubby and I consulted, quitting was a big decision that he didn't like. He knew I was in pain--he couldn't watch me breastfeed because the pain showed on my face--but he was worried about losing the beneficial effects of breastmilk and of the possible bad affects of formula. I researched and found scientific opinions that formula wasn't necessarily bad, it is actually very good, just not as good as breastmilk. Also, the greatest benefits of breastmilk are given by 6 wks, so if you can hang in until then there is no guilt in switching. But, in my case, my husband is very involved and my partner in everything, so he had to be on board. I did finally have to tell him I couldn't and wouldn't do it any more, physically or emotionally, and he understood.

2) no good answer here--it depends on the baby. Mine did 10-20 min on each breast, which the doc said was normal--at least 10 on each. But it doesn't mean they'll actually stay latched the whole time--when she was learning sometimes she would fall off (asleep) and I'd have to wake and re-latch her.

3)Yes, but I didn't--she went back and forth while I tried pumping for a week with no problem, then formula only right after. The doc said we didn't need to ease her into formula, switching cold turkey was fine, though we didn't do that.

4)You're not supposed to, though I do on occasion if the house or weather is cool. If the formula is in the sun or in a warm environment, I would toss it. If it is warm out, I would it in the fridge as soon as possible. Just use your judgement and think of it like you would a glass of milk for yourself.

Good luck!
J.

The longer you can breastfeed, the better for your child (and you.) It really does their immune system and development so much good. Increases IQ points, even. Seriously, if your don't HAVE to quit, I hope you'll consider continuing. If you have serious questions or problems, contact La Leche League and someone will talk to you personally.

I breast fed for the first 6 months. I also expressed milk (not always easy) and froze it for my husband to use late at night in a bottle so he could also bond with our daughter. That was a bust as I could never express enough so we added formula. The longer your child feeds from the breast (or expressed milk) the better. They get such great nutrients and immunities from their mother's body it would be a shame for you to stop after just 6 weeks. Hope this helps, Patti b

Those are all good questions. I have two kids that have been nursed. The youngest is 8 mo old and has only had breast milk (and now baby food solids). I am also an RN. Here is my response to your questions based on my personal experience and for being in the healthcare field.
1. Consulting your husband is a wonderfull idea. Often times we leave them out. Getting their imput lets them feel like you value their oppinion and makes them feel more involved in parenting. Remember it is his imput your getting... ultimitaly it will be your dicision.
2. It varies... usually 10 - 20 minutes of active sucking... Mine usually seemed to be about 30 mininutes + and that is ok... Newborns tend to fall asleep alot so they often can be at the breast longer but once they become experts and can stay awake longer you'll notice that they will be able to finish the task faster. Things to do to help baby stay awake is to strip baby, tickle toes...
3. You can mix both together although some lactation experts suggest that you don't mix because breastmilk last longer outside and any unused formula needs to be tossed after 2 hours due to bacteria growth. For me I work to hard pumping I don't want any to go to waste. This way you can also see how much more it will take for baby to be satisfied after breastmilk.
4. Kind of answered above. Unused Formula needs to be tossed after 2 hours. Breast milk will last upto about 8 hours.

I hope this helps. Breastfeeding your baby has so many health benifits to both of you... Mom's who breast feed have decreased instances/severity of post partum depression, tend to lose weight faster... For babies - higher IQ on average, immunities from you (My 8 mo old has not had one sniffle even though colds and stomach flu's even though the rest of us have)... Pumping after and between feedings will also help amp up your supply.

1. You can discuss it with your husband but if breasfeeding is hurting or your child is not doing well on it then do what you feel is right. My son refuses to breast feed from me during the day so we have been forced to use the bottle.
2. This differs. Some people say 10 min on each side but a better suggestion is to feed from one side for up to 40 min (I know that sounds long but it's not only the food but the suckling and bonding). Next feeding offer the other side. You definatly need to be sure to get through at least 2 let downs.
3. We mix formula and breastmilk together all the time as I don't make enough breasmild for my son. We do 1/2 formula and 1/2 B.M. As long as we make it fresh for each bottle there does not seem to be a problem.
4. We leave it longer all the time. Get to know how the formula/breast milk smells and you can tell when it is sour. Also, the baby won't drink it if it has soured. We leave our bottles out a couple of hours because we don't want to waste the breat milk.

Don't feel bad if breast feeding is not working out for you. You can still bond and love your child with the bottle, as my son now prefers. Let your husband know how you feel but really, if this is causing pain or your dreading breast feeding go to formula. They are way better than they used to be.

i cant help you with any questions regarding formula because we never went down that road, but i can tell you that i do believe you should consult with your husband. it is his child and his opinion regarding the nutrition and general health of your child is important in the decision. that being said, breastfeeding is a one-woman job and your opinion may have a bit more weight. it just seems odd that you would even think of not discussing it. are you feeling guilty or do you know he is very pro-nursing? this does not have to be an either/or situation. i would say that you have a lot of discussing to do and if it is really important to him that you dont stop, at the very least you can keep your milk supply and trade off bottle and breast. i dont know what you are dealing with regarding breastfeeding but i can tell you that everything goes way smoother after 6 weeks or 2 months as the baby gets bigger, sturdier, and the connection is more natural. and not letting yourself dry up is a great thing because there are times when it is so convenient to just be able to sooth your child. i wish you luck and patience.

You've gotten a ton of responses, and I wasn't able to read through all of them, but I thought I'd answer your question, too!
I stopped BFing at 6 wks due to extreme PPD, and the med I started on has unknown breastmilk transfer and side-effects to baby. My husband was supportive in the decision, but ultimately left it up to me.
I've always heard from lactation consultants that at this age, 10 mins per breast is all it takes to get most of the milk.
Definitely mix formula and breastmilk in a bottle. It does not hurt anything, but just be sure not to heat breastmilk in the microwave. It kills the good stuff. I also mixed formula and whole milk when making that switch at about 13 mos.
The rule of thumb I go by with regards to formula and leaving it out is the same as I would do with regular milk. I'd say 2-3 hrs is the max to leave it out. And of course make sure you don't re-use formula that has already been heated.
Hope that helps!!
A.

1. I talked to my husband but it was at 11 mo.

2. 15-30 min ... at that age I just felt the belly and when she was 'full like a tick' and was a sleep we called it done.

3. Can you mix breastmilk with formula in the same bottle?
-Dont mix breastmilk with formula it can partially 'digest' the formula and could cause the formula or iron to clump.

Question one: No, I didn't consult my husband...I was working full time and in the heat of the summer our daughter had pretty much decided not to nurse for more than a few minutes at a time anyway so I just stopped.

Two: I don't know what rule of thumb was but our daughter nursed about 20mins each side.

Three: don't have an answer to that one.

Four: No, do not use formula that's been left out for more than just a few minutes.

Hope this helps!

Don't let any of these responses scare you. Breast feeding vs. formula feeding is a VERY personal choice that only you can make. Formula fed babies are happy and healthy and there are many women who choice formula over breast milk. I breast fed my first child for 5 1/2 months and my second for four. During that time I mixed breast milk and formula in the same bottle with no issues.

its too early to think about formula. keep trying. it takes some babies longer to get used/ learn to eat/latch on. thats why we got to try n feed often so that he can get his practice.

and i definitely did talk with my husband about breastfeeding our baby. he did his own little research and decided breastfedeing is the best. he also talked long with midwife and midwife explained everything.

what if your child grows up and finds out he wasnt breast fed that long, he will ask dad why he didnt give you support to continue breastfeeding.

breastfeeding is a challenge at beginning and sometimes during the years but its FUN and beautiful 90 percent of the time!!!

my baby finally got professional by around 3 months but then came up with teethin where she would not eat as much and took many breaks during a feeding. it was weird but i kept reading n tried to understand. sure enough she went back to normal.

right now shes 9 months and she s really fun to breastfeed because she would just know what to do. i can just go in any position to feed her n she will just adjust to reach my breast. really fun. worth the hassle!!

actually formula is a bigger hassle than this.

I know that everyone else her is telling you to keep breatsfeeding and it is too early to swicht to formula but if you are having a really hard time and the baby is not getting enough to eat then go ahead and swicht.

Yes i would defienlty talk to your husband about it but ultimaley it is your choice.
When my son was still breast feeding i was lucky if he would nurse one side for 10 mintues but the average was 5 mintues. I got worried but he was ahving pleanty of wet diapers and gaing wieght.
I did not mix the two but would give him teh breast milk in one bottle and then formula in a second if he did not eat enough.
No i never use formula that has been out for longer than a hour. I don't want to take the chance. There is nothing worse that a baby with food posiong.

A.

1) Yes, I consulted my husband. I breastfed for 5 weeks exclusively (he latched easily from the start) and then our son became very fussy. One breast, cry, the other breast cry etc. Started crying all the time. Would no longer sleep a couple hours at a time. Thought he had become colicky. Someone at my husbands work suggested soy formula for colic. He bought some and brought it home on the spur of the moment. I didn't want to ruin the breastfeeding by giving the bottle/formula but I was so tired and upset I made two ounces to try it. He took to that bottle like he'd used it for a year! He drank the formula down in seconds and wanted more! He was simply hungry! I had a complete mommy meltdown -crying because I'd let my baby be hungry and didn't even recognize it. After that I tried extra feedings,started pumping, doing everything to increase my milk supply. It didn't work. I started supplementing with formula (I was lucky he took both). Finally after another 6-8 weeks I had just had it. But I felt very guilty about wanting to switch totally to formula because of the immunity and health benefits of breast milk. This was compounded by the fact that my husband didn't want me to quit. Finally he agreed that I had tried enough pumping etc. to produce more milk and it hadn't worked. I switched over totally to formula. I decided that not enough nutrition was more detrimental to his development than whether it was breast milk or formula. I used Good Start with DHA formula and it is the BEST thing ever. I'll be using it again with our next child. Although you are the one with the breasts, you and your husband are responsible for the rearing and well being of your child together. This includes nutrition. What if your child was 6 mo. old and your husband thought pureed birthday cake was perfectly fine to give the child and you did not? What if your child were 9 and you thought it was acceptable for him to have table wine with dinner every night and your husband did not? (silly examples but you get my drift)Try to avoid tension or resentment by resolving issues before any big transition is made.

2) Yes you can mix breast milk with formula. It is often recommended when weaning from breast milk to formula for babies who are having trouble switching over.

3) No,don't leave formula out over an hour. Keep it cool in a insulated bag or in the fridge and just warm it again. The safest way to do this is in warm water, but I have found the microwave to be much faster and easier once you know the proper time/power to use. Be sure to shake it well after microwaving to ensure equal heating throughout- no hot spots or change in temperature part way through the feeding. A new bottle of formula can be made and refrigerated for 24 hours. I always made his bottles at night for daycare the next day on my work days, or if we were going on a day trip the next day. Don't forget there are car bottle warmers that plug into your lighter for trips, even though they take awhile to get a bottle heated!

1. I don’t know if I "consulted" my husband, but after the first week I started crying because my new born was crying (I think he was hungry) too much at night while I was breast feeding. His doctor said not to give up, but my husband went to the store and bought formula. To be honest, it was such a relief to me because I did not want to give up by I wanted my baby to get enough food. I continued to breast feed and give formula.
2. my son stayed on about 15 to 20 minutes at the age. I used music to time it (I would either turn on his mobile or play my own music).
3. I never mixed the 2 because I want to make sure all the breast milk was used first. I have heard there is nothing wrong with mixing, I just did not pump a lot so what I did pump i wanted to make sure it was not wasted.
4. As my son got old I felt comfortable letting the formula sit out longer than an hour.
-S.

Hi Summer,

My children were formula fed exclusively. My hubby and I discussed it and I decided.

As far as how long the formula is still good, on a hot summer day not as long as the winter. How long would you let a glass of milk sit on the table before you drank it? That's probably a pretty good measure. If you're concerned about traveling with formula, I would suggest powder. I used to leave the house in the morning with bottles for the day, each with the proper amount of powder. Just add water and serve.

You're brave to post about breast vs. formula. This seems to have become such a divisive issue among women. I sooo wish it wouldn't be.

Good luck. No decision seems to be easy when making it for a little one.

Hi Summer,

I am certainly no pro, but here are my opinions and what I did.

1, No, I did not consult my husband. I would talk about all I would decide to do, but I never thought about what he thought. My decisions were based on what I thought would be best for our child and then me and I believe he understood that. I don't think his input would have changed what I would have done, but it may have been nice to ask his thoughts.

2. I think at that point it is on an on demand basis. Both of my chilren, one 3 yrs old, the other 3 months, are snackers. Never stayed latched on long unless they were sleeping. Per the doctors, as long as the have plenty of urine filled diapers and poop enough they are getting enough.

3. Not sure, but I never did and don't think I would be comfortable doing so. Since we have a well, I did mix all of the formula with flouride water bought at the store.

4. Yes, I did with my son, 3 yr old, and it never was a problem. HAve not switched my daughter yet.

hope this helps.

I. B.

my husband took the breastfeeding class with me. initially, my goal was to nurse our twins for the first 3 months. they turn one year old today & we are still nursing! it was ultimately my decision since it was my body & my husband was always super supportive. if I got frustrated he would remind me that it was normal & would refer to something said during our breastfeeding class. he would say they've gotten the benefit & if you want to stop then we can.

a newborn's time at the breast can vary. in the early months, one of my girls nurse quickly & got off, the other would be on for 45 min or more. my lactation consultant showed me how to do breast compressions while she nursed & she learned to be a more efficient sucker.

yes you can mix breastmilk & formula, however, you can't re-refrigerate the bottle if you do so. with formula only, you have to toss it within an hour after it's out. with breastmilk, you can rinse the bottle nipple & put it back in the fridge to use at the next feeding. breastmilk can also sit at room temperature for a couple hours. check out la leche league's website for information on breastmilk storage.

OK...
On the breastfeeding issue I have no idea, if your husband has strong opinions on the topic then you may want to discuss it with him, and he may be able to be the support you need to keep nursing.
Newborns stay latched on for a variety of time and I would say anything up to almost an hour can be considered normal, maybe more like 30 minutes on each side.
NO you cannot mix breastmilk and formula in the same bottle. My doctor and lactation person have told me that the chemicals in the breastmilk are fundamentally changed by the mixture.
I am not sure about the formula sitting out thing.
I know this part is unsolicited, but if there is a specific reason other than having to go back to work and not wanting to pump that you are thinking of weaning your newborn, it might be worth a little more time. The first 2 months are the hardest, but after that it REALLLY does get easier, and more regular and they don't eat every minute and it is so worth it to keep nursing! The health benefits are out of this world and the convenience (I know it may not feel that way now) is really unbeatable. Really.... Anyway I really struggled in the beginnning so if you have any questions I am happy to help!

I will tell you what i think...:)

1. i would consult my husband before doing so yes, but ultimately it would be my decision.
2. a newborn can stay latched for a long time and not be actually eating...more for comfort. you can tell when they are nutritive sucking or non-nutritive sucking. i would let my newborn son sit at the breast for a long time if he wanted to...he was brand new and it made him happy and i was tired :)sometimes it felt like it was all i did all day long...and i mean all day long, no harm was done, he is almost a year and can finish both breasts in under 15min!
3. i would think you could totally mix the two, why not?
4. i don't know about formula, but i know you can leave breast milk out for an hour and reuse it.

good luck!

Summer,
I did not consult with my husband when it came time to wean our children. He supported my decisions on when it was time to wean. Although I continued to nurse all 4 children until age 1 exclusively, I did introduce the bottle early (8wks) so when I did leave for a while my husband could feed our children. This is the very best for your baby though. But you should decide when is best for you and your baby. They are your boobs.

If your breasts are full and your baby is actively sucking and swallowing, he should empty your breast in 20 min tops. It should not take longer than that. If so, your baby is just sucking to pacify the need to suck and your poor nipples will become raw and very sore. Get him a pacifier. A nuk is the same shape as your nipple. Watch what your nipple looks like after you nurse. It will be flat on the bottom, so the nuk is shaped like this. I made so much milk that I knew my kids would not be able to empty both breast out at each feeding, so I pumped and froze the second breast. This way you can mix breast milk and formula for the baby. Remember though, if you want to continue nursing, the more you supplement your milk production will decrease very fast.

I would not leave formula out for more than 1 hour. It starts to grow stuff after about 1 hour. If you put it right back into the refrigerator and then reuse, I would say this would be ok, but not left out.

Hope this helps. If you need more help please let me know.
trish

Hi Summer,
I have 2 children 3 and 5 and I breastfed both because they wouldn't take a bottle of anything (see me crying here, I could of used a break). I went to a fabuous breastfeeding support group in San Diego for the first 2 years of my daughters life and your questions were some that came up while I was there. Anyway, here's my limited wisdom in answer to your questions:
1- I did discuss stopping nursing with t my husband when I was ready to be done but he didn't get the final say.
2-I always went by the rule leave them on until they are done. It was always a nice quiet time to relax (once we both got the hang of it), read a book whatever, I never rushed it.

3- I had friends who mixed breastmilk and formula, their kids did not sprout a second head or get sick.

4- Everyone I know who bottlefed used formula when it had been out for more than an hour. It's like food rules....is it in the hot sun (toss it), did you forget it on the table for over an hour it's probably fine.

Hi Summer,

I don't know if it is recommended to mix formula and breastmilk. It doesn't seem like a good idea. You can give your baby breastmilk and formula separately in a bottle if you want to stop breastfeeding, but since he is 6 wks it might take longer for him to take a bottle, if he never has. According to an excellent book I read with my first child, "Secrets of the Baby Whisperer", a 6wk old should nurse for 25-40 minutes at a time. You will be able to tell if the baby is done b/c of the letdown. If only his lower jaw is moving after letdown he is using you as a "human pacifier". My son did this and we would both fall asleep, me especially after the letdown occured. I was so exhausted with him. He had terrible gas as a newborn and would eat and wake up crying in pain. It was terrible! Anyway if he is using you as a human pacifier then give him a pacifier after he nurses so he doesn't get used to using nursing as a way to learn how to go to sleep. I did ask my husband if I should still nurse after wanting to quit many times from sheer exhaustion, but ultimately I made the decision based on what was best for me, as the mother.
It is probably ok to use formula after it has been out for an hour, especially if the weather is cool, but ask your pediatrician. Congratulations on you baby boy. Enjoy the first year, it really does fly bye! My son is 6 and my daughter is 3 and I miss when they were babies!

Everyone is different, but here are my answers based on my experience.

1) My son was never able to latch properly... I discussed my frustration with my husband and he saw how it was affecting me... so we decided it was best for both baby and me to pump and supplement with formula. He was very supportive about letting me do whatever I felt was best.

2) I was never able to get a good latch with my son, so can't really answer this one.

3) Yes, you can mix the two together. When I started to introduce formula I'd mix the two (gradually increase the amount of formula added to breastmilk to get him used to it). After he'd gotten used to it I'd put them each in separate bottles.

4) I never left formula out for more than an hour. I did, on occassion, put it back in the fridge and allow my son to finish it at a later time (over an hour later).

As a sidenote, if you are planning to pump I highly recommend the Medela Pump in Style Advanced.

Hope that helped. Good luck! Congrats on your baby boy!

Summer,
For breastfeeding women, I think its up to her when she wants to stop breastfeeding. I had difficult times with the father so I stopped on my own.
The longer a child breastfeeds, the better. Some mothers aren't comfortable after a certain amount of time. Yes it is painful, it helps you lose your baby fat. Some breastfeed til the child is one year. That depends on how long you want to do it for.
As for mixing the milks, I know some people do it. Certain babies immune systems can only handle certain milks. Regular milk is hard on the babies, so its introduced to the child when they are 9-12 months old.
On the can of formula, it tells you after a certain amount of time the formula has to be tossed. It will upset the babies stomach after two hours or so, if Im not mistaken.

Hello Summer,
I don't have answers for you to the first 3 questions (my milk never came in) but I can tell you what my doctor told us about formula. She said she doesn't like to see it out of the refrigerator longer then 2 hours. Dump it 4 hours (at the very most) after the baby started drinking it and you can refrigerate a new bottle for 24 hours. Those are the rules we follow and our daughter is fine. I hope this helps.
Best of luck!
C.

No, I really didn't consult my husband because I had already decided I wanted to breastfeed long term. In the early months, my goal was to nurse for 6 months, then my goal became 12 months when I reached that. At 6 months old, it just became really easy! I never had to worry about buying formula, how long it was good, cleaning bottles, etc.

I don't know about mixing formula/breastmilk although I know a lady relative who has done it. I have also heard of ladies weaning off breastmilk by slowly adding formula or cow's milk (depending on age) to bottle. I'm sure some others can give you more advice on that.

Hi Summer,
1) I guess you could consult with him, but being that he's not the one breastfeeding the baby, I don't know what he could really do about it if he disagreed? Either breastfeeding works out great for mommy and baby, or it doesn't - not much Daddy can really do about it either way.
2) Depends how motivated they are to eat! My older daughter took forever to nurse (come to think of it, she stays an hour at the dinner table now that she's 5 - some things never change!). My younger daughter would be done nursing in 5 minutes each side. (And now that she's 3, she eats her dinner in under 10 minutes - she's like a vacuum cleaner, that one.)
3) Sure, why not. You shouldn't microwave breast milk though - it takes away the antibacterial properties of it.
4) Think of formula left out like you would a macaroni salad - if you wouldn't trust mayonnaise that's been sitting out, don't trust formula. Same principles apply for bacteria growth. When in doubt, throw it out! I'd just make bottles in small amounts to begin with, and try to feed him on a schedule so you can easily guess how much he'll be hungry for.

Best of luck with your new little one!