My baby was 9lbs 7oz at birth, he is now 6 weeks old and weighs 13lbs 7oz, he is a very healthy boy. He eats all the time, I feel drained, crabby and tired throughout the day. My baby is a happy boy, I don't want to quit breastfeeding but would like a little more "me time". Is it okay to supplement him with formula milk occasionally?
2006-09-27 18:42:26 · 18 answers · asked by Cori 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
My doctor told me to gradually mix my breast milk with formula in order to get my son ready for my return to work. I did that for a week and he adjusted well. He did vomit and get more gas until his tummy got used to the change.
2006-09-27 18:46:15 · answer #1 · answered by kamsmom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am a mother who is still breastfeeding my 2 1/2 year old so i feel i can answer you from experiance. Yes you can supplement of course but there are some things to take in to consideration.
1- formula is harder to digest because of the cows milk so there may be some gassy issues
2- baby can get attached to bottle because milk is way easier out of a bottle less work so get nipples with flow controll and nipple shaped like your own for no nipple confusion.
3- and finally you may find that all you need to do is pump. You may be amazed how much milk you can pump in a short period of time and milk can be stored in the fridge 1 week and freezer 6 months but breast milk properties change with the baby as they grow so don't stock too much.
I did all the above because of work but remember that it is much better to supplement a few feedings with a bottle and have a happy mom that to try too much and give up all together.
2006-09-27 18:51:28 · answer #2 · answered by jodi H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes i think supplementing is not a problem at all... but i hope you can reconsider this decision because it will be such a pity to do this if you are enjoying good supply and your baby is sucking fine... I breastfed my daughter till 18 months old and i hope i could have done it even longer!! It was tiring and draining in the first 3 months but subsequently I was enjoying the whole process.... I was proud of myself for perservering!!
Pump/express your breast milk to store so that you can rest or do your things. By supplementing, your baby may develop a preference (for bottle or for formula cos sweeter) and a lot of mothers i know were forced to stop breastfeeding cos their babies eventually rejected breastmilk totally. Pls reconsider!!
And of course, mothers can loose weight faster!! breastfeeding mummies loose about 500-800 calories more everyday!!
2006-09-27 23:59:36 · answer #3 · answered by callietanhf 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure. I had to do both since I did not make enough to feed my baby. Some feedings would last for 2 hours and I felt the same as you, crabby and tired and no time for myself which is no way to live. Since it does not seem you have any issues with milk production have you thought about pumping? It should take less time for you to pump and then you can store it in the fridge/freezer so that when you have had enough you or your husband can give him a bottle? (I am due anyday with my second and plan on pumping this time since I dont have time to mess around feeding an infant for hours at a time and take care of my 2 year old daughter).
2006-09-28 06:02:02 · answer #4 · answered by sooz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes yes yes. My son is 4months and quite quite happy on a mixed breast/formula diet (has been since 5days old). Breast milk is good for the immunity and antibodies - so, providing he's getting a little of this, there is no harm in supplementing with formula. As soon as I realised that 'breast is best' does NOT mean formula is bad, this helped me regain my sanity!! My partner can now also help out and feels hes bonded much better since helping with feeds. He sounds like hes growing well - so formula milk may help he stay fuller for longer. Remeber, at the end of the day, whatever advice you get - you are his mother and what works for you is what you should do.
2006-09-27 23:38:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is OK to give your child formula. You need a break so take it and don't let anyone make you feel bad for it. You aren't going to do anyone any good if you are crabby and tired throughout the day. You need to be happy so your baby can be happy. That's the most important thing. Besides, babies don't care where their food comes from as long as they get fed. Good Luck!
2006-09-28 11:42:00 · answer #6 · answered by TRUE PATRIOT 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sure it is. any breastmilk is better than none, if he will take a bottle you can give formula or even pumped milk. if you pump i recommend an electric. they are much easier than manual and battery. if you do supplement regularly it will effect your supply so be aware that if you start giving formula you will most likely need to keep giving formula and it can get expensive. if you do one bottle each day then your body will start to produce that much less. just something to keep in mind. on a side not my boy weighed that much at birth as well. he is now 7 months and weighs in at around 28 pounds. big boys are attention getters. everyone tells me he should play football. congrats on the new baby and good luck.
2006-09-27 18:49:40 · answer #7 · answered by mypurpleelephant 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At six weeks he shouldn't be eating more than every two or three hours. This should continue till he's about three months old and then he should be only eating every 4 or 5 hours. Waking only once at night. You don't want to supplement with formula because it's not as good for him and your milk production will go down. Try a Binky between feedings to keep the little guy happy! It might just be he's not hungry at all but just needs to satisfy that sucking reflex!
2006-09-27 18:53:26 · answer #8 · answered by Carolyn T 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes, a lot of women do this. My son was a preemie and the nurses at Children's hospital mixed the formula and added it to the pumped breast milk to put in his feeding tube. It helped him gain weight faster. Some women have to suppliment if they are not making enough. You could also use a breast pump and freeze the extra to use in bottles. Breastmilk can be frozen for up to 6 months and thawed it can be stored in the fridge for 24 hours.
2006-09-27 18:47:07 · answer #9 · answered by Ryan's mom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely! My first daughter was the same and I had to supplement her from 5 months because it felt like i had my boob in her mouth all the time! My second daughter has been exclusively breast fed and she is now 6 and a half months old. It was much easier the second time around.
2006-09-28 01:50:22 · answer #10 · answered by Slk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My pediatrition told me that babies are not allowed to have milk until 11 and 1/2 months old. Then it should be whole milk. Their digestive system is not mature enough to handle it until then. I would switch to formula milk totally. You need to be well rested for the both of you. Be sure to sleep when he does and limit visitors.
2006-09-28 04:20:32 · answer #11 · answered by Caroline H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋