breastfeeding AND formula feeding, can you do both?

Question

I was on a baby web site the other day that asked survey questions and one was:

"Do you plan on breastfeeding, formula feeding, or both?"

This may not be too clear to me but aren't you suppose to do ONE? I have never heard of both.

I do have a daughter but she was in NICU for months so I was not able to breastfeed. Is this healthy?

Answer 1

It is preferable to breastfeed the baby exclusively without any other foods for the first 6 months.

If this is not possible, then any amount of breastfeeding the baby is able to get is excellent. Even if the mother cannot pump and has to go back to work, it is still great for the baby to get some colostrum during the first few days after birth, or to breastfeed for a few weeks before giving bottles.

If the mother is not able to produce a full supply of breastmilk, then she can use formula to make up the difference. If she has to go back to work, she can either pump or feed formula while she's at work, and breastfeed while she's home. Giving bottles can reduce the milk supply, and should be done carefully if the mother intends to continue nursing! There are alternative methods (cup feeding, syringe feeding, SNS/Lact-Aid) that do not cause nipple confusion for the baby if supplementing a low milk supply is necessary.

Any amount of breastmilk the baby can get is good.

So, to sum up:
Breastfeeding exclusively is the normal way to feed a baby. It provides the best nutrition available for human babies.

Adding some formula to the baby's diet is sometimes necessary, and is OK. However it will be wise to watch the baby for any allergic reactions, because it is common for babies to be allergic to cow's milk proteins, and some babies are also allergic to soy.

Switching to formula exclusively is also sometimes necessary, as you know, and is also OK.

Babies who are formula fed are not "inferior" to babies who are breastfed in any way! However scientific studies have shown a statistically significant increase in risk for certain conditions among exclusively formula fed infants.

Every child should be fed a healthy, well balanced diet rich in whole foods for healthy growth and development.

Answer 2

Sure, you can do both.

The important thing, in the begining, is to be sure to breast feed first, then offer the baby the bottle. Bottle feeding is way easier for the baby...well, for mom too. But if you're committed to breast feeding and want it to go well, you should breast feed first. Doesn't take a baby too long to figure out they get more food with less effort with the bottle.

There are also supplemental nursing systems that hospitals use for big babies that think they're starving. It's basically a formula-filled syringe with a small tube that is placed against the mother's nipple while the baby nurses. So the baby gets the colostrum as well as a little formula. It avoids nipple confusion until the mother's milk comes in and eliminates the need for supplementing.

Answer 3

From experience, It is perfectly fine if you wish to do both. For instance if you work and have no time for pumping, formula feed while you work and breastfeed when you can. Plain and simple. The only warning they may give you is to watch out for nipple confusion. I don't know how this would be diagnosed or what the symptoms are, but you can speak with a lactation consultant at the hospital about it. But either way, formula and breastfeeding at the same time is perfectly healthy.

Answer 4

Yeas, you can do both. It's called supplement feeding. You can use formula if you don't have time to pump your milk, but try to keep it at the same time everyday to avoid your milk drying up. It makes it a lot easier to wean the baby from breastfeeding when you're ready because you can graually increase the amount of formula and decrease the amount of breastmilk. I wouldn't suggest supplementary feeding before 6 weeks though, so that you can establish your milk production to what your baby needs.

Answer 5

Some breastmilk is always better than no breastmilk.
Some mothers do successfully combine breastfeeding and formula feeding.
The most benefit to the baby comes while EXCLUSIVELY breastfed, but like I said some breastmilk is always better than no breastmilk.
Supplementing too often can cause milk supply problems.
Introducing a bottle too soon can put the mom and baby at risk of nipple confusion. Bottles really shouldn't be introduced until 4-6 weeks of age, after breastfeeding is well established.

Answer 6

How old is your child now!!! Studies have shown that breastfed children (18 months) will grow up to be smarter and with lesser diseases!!! Furthermore, studies have also shown that raising a child in a "bilangual" environment makes the child smarter too as compared to monolingual environment. Formula products with animal products (cow) can slow the growth of the child's immune system. Breast milk is the best!! Got milk???
By the way the best years (time) to prepare a child for a good future is the first 5 years!! So do not overfeed your child or he/she will be overweight later!!
And start using brain stimulating products from babyeinstein.com (get the Mozart music CD or tape first!). Take good care of your child, as children are our future!! Best wishes!!

Answer 7

Yes you an do both but your chances of being successful at both is hard unless you have a set schedule on the formula feeding. I did both for my 1st child and was only able to breastfeed for a total of 9 months with my 2nd he was strictly breastfed and he continued to be until his 2nd bday when he was weaned

Answer 8

I have a son who I bottle fed and a daughter who I breast fed, (both are healthy) actually I would say that my son doesn't get sick as often as my daughter. I am pregnant right now and plan to do both. I will breast feed mostly, but give a bottle at least once a day, then it will be used to both and hopefully I can get a break and leave the baby with dad for a longer period of time. They say to breast feed only for the first 6 weeks so baby doesn't get "nipple confusion"

Answer 9

You can do both but most moms choose one or the other. I did both with my second. I exclusively breastfed him for 5 months but found out I was pregnant again which caused by milk supply to severely decrease so I supplemented with formula.

Answer 10

Yes you can do both. Some mom's need supplemental feedings because thier milk is not enough. Some mom's work and prefer not to pump, etc.....Check out the book :
What to expect : the toddler years by Arlene Eisenberg, Heidi Eisenberg Murkoff, Sandee Eisenberg Hathaway. It will help with baby questions from birth through the first year and with your body and relationship questions....it's everything you need to know! The authors have written a whole series of books from pregnancy through all the school years….. they are the best!