I have been given free formula samples from different companies and wish to use them, but I have chosen to breastfeed if possible. Can I do both without causing any problems with my newborn? The baby is my first and is coming this weekend!!
2006-10-18 09:36:47 · 25 answers · asked by cricko 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Of course you can. I would wait a few weeks to make sure breastfeeding was well established and then introduce a bottle once or twice a day to keep her used to it. If you give formula too soon he/she might prefer a bottle which is what happened to my son. I was sooo dissapointed, and now with my daughter I never gave her a bottle so I have the opposite problem, she won't take one! LOL, it's hard to win, they have minds of their own. Anyhow, formula won't go bad for a few years, check the expiration date just in case, so don't be in a hurry to use it right away! Good luck!
2006-10-18 09:53:42 · answer #1 · answered by dolly 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You will create nipple confusion if you try to feed out of both breast and bottle at the start. There is also a device that is like a bottle but with a long tube which you place on the breast to supplement. It is hard to use but the theory is that the baby will suckle and also draw out of the bottle.
Dont worry about using the formula. You will make more than enough for a new born.
2006-10-18 09:40:15 · answer #2 · answered by bigbob2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I breastfed all my kids and also got the formula. If you want to breastfeed without using formula the best thing would be to give it to a friend. If you want to use formula, I don't think it will kill her to have both. A lot of moms do it! I would wait a few weeks though until your milk is established or you may have problems with that.
2006-10-18 09:39:59 · answer #3 · answered by Daisy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have done so before and it can simplify things in the presence of people who don't appreciate the closeness breastfeeding can bring that's not wy I did it , I did it cause of long car rides and other trips where my baby might have to be restrained for a long period. It doesn't hurt and may even increase the bond that you feel because when you do breastfeed you get that time.
2006-10-18 10:18:28 · answer #4 · answered by kim s 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first durning the first few days your breasts wil barely secrete milk for the baby but another substace which i cant remember what it is called, but it is enough for the newborn. I would suggest using only one brand to see how it works with the baby's digestive system. if there is a rash on the skin around the mouth and on the chin and neck after feeding then the baby is allergic, but thats ok b/c your milk will be fine and if he/she cant latch on right as mine did then i used Nutramagin by Enfamil b/c it reduced his colic ALOT. you should go down the formula isle at the grocery store and read some cans of formula to see hwich you like best. three top name brands are Enfamil, Nestle, and Similac.
2006-10-18 09:49:05 · answer #5 · answered by charlie21205 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is better to just breast feed the first six weeks if possible, if you have no problems. Then, you may want to try give breastmilk in a bottle to see the how the baby responds to it. If you aren't planning to go back to work, then it is better to breastfeed as long as you can. Formula is very expensive, and doesn't protect your baby from infections. You may want to rent a breast pump, that way you can pump and freeze your breast milk up to 6 months. Once you thaw it though, you have to use it within 24 hours.
2006-10-18 09:44:49 · answer #6 · answered by dixie 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
As soon as I had my son I began breastfeeding, but had to commute back to college the following week, so my husband supplemented with bottles. I did not pump and stopped breastfeeding bc it wasn't working out after about a month. My son was totally fine going from breast to bottle - no nipple confusion, etc. He also didn't get sick or anything like that. But you will have to try a bit of formula between breastfeeding if you want to and see what the outcome of your baby is...every one is different! Maybe you'll be lucky and won't have ANY problems switching between breastfeeding/bottle feeding. Or you could always feed the breastmilk from a bottle. Easier for the dad to help out then, too.
2006-10-18 09:45:01 · answer #7 · answered by Jaime 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
try not to give your baby a bottle at all in the first four to six weeks of breastfeeding I did and now i can't breastfeed she is three weeks old and we stopped at day 8 because she would not latch on to the breast anymore my nipples were so sore and bleeding that i gave her a bottle she preferred the bottle so we could not do it anymore.I tried pumping that didn't work either i did not produce enough milk then.So to save yourself alot of guilt and heartache i would not supplement unless your baby seems still hungry after eating from the breast,u still take that chance that baby won't latch on even if you are only doing it once in a while with bottle.
2006-10-18 14:46:06 · answer #8 · answered by samwise25 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When my daughter was born I chose to mainly breastfeed her but sometimes right after you give birth your milk supply just isn't enough. I think it's prefectly fine if you switch between the two. Just be aware that the baby can get confused between breats and bottle and might not to take one or the other. The bottle that worked best for my daughter was Playtex Natural Shape Ventaire. She would easily take both breast and bottle! Goodluck and yes you can give both!
2006-10-18 09:45:46 · answer #9 · answered by I smile because of them ♥ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My friend breastfeeds while she is home with the baby and uses Enfamil Lipil while the baby is at daycare. It seems to working okay for the baby.
Be careful using multple formulas though. It can cause reflux or other problems with the baby. Choose one and stick with it.
Enfamil Lipil is supposed to be the closest to breastmilk.
2006-10-18 09:39:29 · answer #10 · answered by amber 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋