Hey moms,
When my firstborn was about 9 months old I breastfed him but I started using formula if we were out or if I had someone watching him. This was not too often but it was so liberating not to pump anymore and he did really great with it! Now my new baby boy is four months and I am thinking of starting to supplement with formula but wondering if it is too soon. I have an MRI on Friday and my mom will be with the kids. I am pretty over pumping and really find little time to do it. With my first I would wake up in the middle of the night so that I would have milk for his morning feed, but these days I am way too tired with two of them to care for. Anyone used breastmilk and formula with one so young. Any tummy problems? That is the only thing I am a little concerned about, I don't want him to have any tummy trouble, this one has had zero tummy probs since birth and I surely don't want to create any. But I know that at around four months they can start taking cereal, so I was thinking it might be ok. Thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Thanks for the help, I feel really good that when I am away tomorrow, there won't be an issue!
new update: Tried the formula, he would have none of it! Guess I am going to have to take the advice to wait a little longer and haul my butt out of bed tonight and pump;) Maybe after he starts some solids at 6 months or so he will be more open to a new taste, he was not havin' it today!
I have supplemented with formula for my 2nd one from the beginning. At first I didn't think he was getting enough milk from me and when I added in a bottle of formula after I fed him, he always ate hungrily! I still supplement to this day and he's 9 months old and he's never had an issue, no matter what type of formula he's on!
Both of my children were bottle fed from the beginning. They are both happy healthy teenagers.
YMMV
LBC
Hi J.,
Just thought I would give you my 2 cents here. When my daughter was born, we got off to a rough start with BF and I did have to supplement her at first (long story). I started pumping exclusively as soon as I could and managed to catch up to her needs where I did not have to supplement anymore. I told myself I would try to get to 6 weeks. 6 weeks came and went and i told myself I would try to get to 3 months. At 3 months I thought I would wean her off breastmilk, but she almost immediately developed reflux. I told myself I would try to make it 4, then 5, then 6 months. At 6 months, I had the routine down so well, that I just figured I would keep going. I made it to over a year pumping exclusively. As a working mom, I think that is pretty good. :) Pumping can be done but you have to do a few things to make it easier on yourself. You need a good pump and you need some essential accessories. I bought a car charger so that I could pump in the car when necessary and I bought this "thing" that allowed me to pump hands-free. I think it was called Easy Expressions or something like - basically the equivalent of a strapless bra with two holes in the front. I NEVER got up in the middle of the night to pump once my child was past the age of 6 weeks. If you still feel you need to supplement, just remember that every child is different. Some kids do just fine with formula; others not so much. Just pay close attention to your baby and I think you will be fine. Breastmilk is more easily digestable for baby's tummies, but any breastmilk you give your baby is going to help him break down any formula he gets too. Don't be too hard on yourself either way!
Go for it! I supplemented with both of mine from day one. I breast fed the first for 4 months with supplemented formula and then went to all formula. With the second I only breastfed for several weeks! I also used to mix pumped breastmilk with formula, and when I transitioned to milk only when they turned one, I started mixing the milk w/formula first and gradually decreasing the formula. Neither child has any allergies or digestive issues. One reason I quit breastfeeding my second so soon is that he had horrendous gas and indigestion issues from the breastmilk. We went to soy formula and he was a happy little camper!
Hi J.,
I went through the same thing with my second and third child; there's just not enough time and energy to devote your boobs 100% of the time to baby! I'd say tummy trouble really depends on the baby. My second, Isabelle, was pretty colicy at times, but this was regardless of whether or not she was fed formula. My third, Caelan, has been getting supplemental formula since she was two months old and has done wonderfully with it. I wasn't producing enough milk (same issue as with Isabelle) and had even less time with her, so it seemed like a good option. She is very particular about which bottle we use, but isn't picky about the type of formula. Other than that, supplementing freed me up big time and gave other family members a chance to bond with her.
Good luck!
J.
I have two kids... 24 months and 8 months. With BOTH of them them I breastfeed AND did one formula bottle a day. I started doing that around 2 months after they got the hang of breastfeeding. It gave me the ability to leave the house if need be and was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders knowing the girls could take a bottle and be ok with it. Also they started to sleep through the night as well. We usually did the formula bottle right before bed and it seemed to fill them up enough to hold them through the night.
Many many babies are on formula from day one, so it isn't bad and if it helps you out, then go for it. Your little ones are getting all the good stuff from your milk 99% of the time, so doing some formula here and there will be just fine. If you notice some tummy issues you might just have to try a few different types. I was lucky in that Similac worked for both my girls...
Good luck!
I exclusively BF for 3 months then supplemented and did both until 4 1/2 months then went to formula only. I did lactose sensitive due to family history but she did fine with the change. Just mix the formula with pumped milk so he doesn't go cold turkey from one to the other.
i was never able to produce. i took a breast feeding class for my second to try to have better luck. the instructor said that if you can at least do the first six months it cuts back on the risk for many things including cancer. if you can hold out for a couple more months even with supplimenting then i think that would be best. but if you cant i TOTALLY understand. that is truly hard work. congrats on your breastfeeding and baby.
It's definitely not too early - do what's right for your family, and don't worry about what other people think.
I had to stop nursing my daughter at 12 weeks because I had to start chemo. OK, better stated, I chose to start chemo to save my life and be her mother. Her having a mom was more important to me than her having Mommy's milk. I had exclusively nursed my son to 12 months. Our daughter's been in the 90%+ since about week 8. We initially mixed frozen breastmilk with formula and then went cold turkey on formula for her. She did great.
Formula won't cause any stomach issues that aren't already there. It may be an adjustment period until you find the right formula (ask your pediatrician for samples of different brands if you can) and see how your baby reacts.
Good luck!
I don't like to have to use formula unless it's really necessary but I did have to at times with my son because when I would start my period my supply would drop and then go right back up a couple of days later. I'm sure there are things I could have done different to help my supply. I wish I hadn't been so internet deprived back then lol. This is just me though. I get weird about using formula if I dont' have to but maybe that's because I'm weird lol!
He may or may not have tummy problems. Every baby is different. My son did fine with a formula for preemies with just a few ounces for a couple of days. Now my niece went thru hell once her mom stopped breastfeeding her at 7 weeks.
And he's really too young for cereal and it shouldn't be used to replace a breastfeeding/formula bottle. Google "open gut" as it relates to babies. This will tell you exactly why it's best to delay solids. Here's an article as well:
http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/early-solid-food-feeding...
My thought is do what works best for YOU and YOUR family! Best wishes!
Not a problem at all I did both with my daughters starting day 1 and they were fine.
Your baby needs your breast milk. Whatever you are busy with drop it instead...... Your child and ultimately an adult human being's immune system is in your hands right now...... Your intuition is telling you that the convenient
"formula" may cause problems.... listen to it while you still can......... When you have to supplement..... Home made almond milk.... soaking, removing skins and blending is a good alternative if you have to supplement ..... find local raw goats milk is another possibility...... Good luck....... I had twins 33 years ago and all the energy investment was worth it!
My friend has twins and her body just did not make enough milk to sustain both boys. By 3 months she had to supplement with formula. On the positive side of this, her husband can take turns feeding them so she is not totally exhausted! (just mostly) But they are healthy, and have no problem with this arrangement. When they first started this arrangement they used Gripe Water. It is made by Baby Bliss. It is essentially a natural gas-x. Works great and you can get it online at iherb.com. They are 7 months old and healthy and sleeping thru the night. Not bad for being 6 weeks premature!
Has he ever had a bottle before? Make sure you get the right nipple for a mostly breastfed baby. I like playtex nursers.
Could you be convinced to go until 6 months? The casin/whey ratio on formula is more appropriate for large mammals than human babies and it matters most in the first 6 months. So much changes at that 6 month point in terms of immune maturity, brain development, and digestive development that it is much better physiologically to wait.
Kudos to you for putting so much effort into giving your children the best possible start.
