how many of you simply feed your babies with just formula?

Question

and what are the effects of not feeding him breast milk? Im asking beacause i cant produce anymore breast milk and my son is barely a month old.. I know that formula isnt as good for my baby as my milk and am already seeong some bad signs like constipation.. i was just wondering how many of you deal with this same problem and how your baby is reacting to the formula.

Answer 1

I nursed my first child for about three weeks, and just couldn't do it after that. My second one was only about two weeks. They both had formula until 12 months. I think it's okay to feed your children formula. They wouldn't sell it if it weren't safe. They say that your children can get ear infections more if they don't nurse, but my kids never had an ear infection while they were on formula. My oldest who is four has had one ear infection his whole life, and the other one who is three has had two. I think the most important thing you can do is to not prop the bottle. It's always good to hold your baby while you are feeding him so the formula doesn't get in the eustachian tubes (the part of the ear where the infection usually is). Another good thing to do is always wash your hands to prevent infection because the baby won't be getting any more antibodies from you. Remember, the baby got the best part from you already, the colostrum. My kids couldn't tolerate the lactose based formula, so I gave them soy. The iron in formula is very constipating, so consider that, maybe get a formula with lower level of iron. I gave both of my boys the Enfamil Prosobee. I tried giving the older one the Similac Soy formula, but there is a different sugar used in Similac than in Enfamil and it gave him diarrhea and really bad diaper rash.

Answer 2

I had a reduction 10 years ago, and can't breastfeed (at least not exclusively). It's the one thing I wish I could change, because there are so many benefits to both mom and baby. How do you know you're not producing anymore?
As far as long term effects, supposedly, your baby is more at risk for ear infections, baby bottle mouth (tooth decay), allergies, and I think the latest I heard was ADHD. The antibodies help fight off all sorts of infections -breast milk can be used to treat pinkeye, diaper rash and all sorts of simple infections. Moms are less likely to develop breast cancer. BUT, and here is something VERY important to remember-- just because your baby isn't breastfed, doesn't mean your child is going to have problems. My boys are both fine, neither has had an ear infection, we've been dilligent about dental care, no allergies that I know of, and my older son is very well behaved (no signs of ADHD). There are breastfed children who are much less healthy than my boys. KWIM?
As for the constipation, you may have to try another formula. My oldest had to go on Nutramigen for a milk intolerance that he outgrew, and my youngest was on Good Start (though he was also partially breastfed for a little while).
Don't worry about it too much, you did the best you could, and you gave your baby a wonderful start in life. Just remember to treat a bottle the same as you would if you were still breastfeeding. Hold you baby, don't prop the bottle, and use it as slow down and enjoy the baby time. And as another person said, don't consider yourself a failure, ever. Congratulations on the baby, now don't worry about this and just enjoy the baby!

Answer 3

My little girl was a rotten breastfeeder (hey, she was a preemie, so it wasn't her fault!), and at first I supplemented pumping with formula. After about three months, she was on formula exclusively. The only real issue we ran in to was gas. The poor babe farted a lot! She'd grunt a great deal, too, because of the pain of the gas moving in her bowels. On the advice of our doctor, we switched to a soy formula, and the problem disappeared in a day or two. When she got older and her digestive system matured, we switched back to a regular formula. (BTW, those soy/lactose-free formulas can be pricey! I think they gouge you because you're stuck between a rock and a hard place, and pretty much HAVE to buy their product. Grrrr.)

They're making new and improved formulas all the time. Companies now make formulas with partially-broken down whey protien so that they're easier to digest, and have recently added Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids (they occur naturally in breastmilk). The big thing about breastmilk is the antibodies it carries that your baby ingests. They can't replicate that in a formula! :)

As far as constipation goes, you may want to check to see if the formula you're using is iron fortified. I've heard that can constipate a baby. After talking to your doctor, you might want to switch to a non-fortified brand.

Answer 4

don't let anyone tell you that you failed. I tried and I couldn't pump enough because he was eating more than I could produce. I would use Nestle good start, it has comfort proteins to help baby's tummy. My children grow very well. My son even without breast milk and he is 2 now looks like a 3 1/2 yr old and is as smart as one. My 8 month old looks like a 12 month old, and she is already saying words and trying to pull up and furniture walk. Your child is not going to be stupid if they don't get breast milk, they'll survive. Your baby just has to have some times with the formula and adjust to it.

Answer 5

My son is a month and 1 week old (5 weeks) and this happened too me to. I was breast feeding and all of a sudden my milk dried up. I started giving my son enfamel and I have noticed that he kept blowing the smelliest farts and when he has a bowl movement, it is green and slimmy.. He is not constipated..

He has a doctors appointment next week and I will mention this too his doctor.. I think he has too be switched too a different formula because the enfamel is not working.. Talk too the baby's doctor and see what he/she says... Good Luck too you both...

Answer 6

If I had a baby I would feed them formula. But going by the price of formula any more I think beast milk would be cheaper and easier. Plus breast milk has the nutrients in it that baby needs. Not all formula can give the baby what the breast milk can give them.

Answer 7

Both of my Goddaughters (who I live with) drank formula from day one. They're both happy and healthy, and when I have kids I'm going to feed them formula. The main benefit that children get from breast milk that they don't get from formula is that when a mother gets exposed to a cold she builds up antibodies to fight off the cold for herself, and those antibodies get passed to the child through breast milk. (It helps build their immunity.) Other than that while there are a few more advantages to breast milk, formula really isn't that bad at all- recent advances have made it as close as possible.

The first one drank Similac Advanced with Iron, the second one drank Enfamil with Iron. (Simply because thats what they were given at the hospital, so we just stuck with that)

Answer 8

formula isn't poison this is only not almost as good as breastmilk. this is inferior and any study will tutor the actual and emotional advantages of breastfeeding for both mom and toddler- that very last a life-time. the base line is as mom and father we make our judgements in accordance to what's less demanding or perfect. in the journey that your carry up about boobs is so good this is going to reason you emotional misery then do not breastfeed. To me, the benefits of breastmilk outweighed the bright discomfort it led to me. you in elementary words were given to ensure what's more advantageous major. of route your disgust element is more advantageous major than the benefits for the toddler. this is nice! Being a mom doesn't advise you ought to be a saint! I EBF yet there have been some weeks even as toddler were given formula at nighttime bc i wanted some relax. do exactly what you opt for, comprehend why you're doing it, and be at peace with it. also be prepared to be versatile :/) i have discovered being a mom is a lot about being versatile and adapting.

Answer 9

I never breast fed my baby. He is 10 months old now and he rarely had a problem with constipation. I fed him Isomil Similac Advance Soy Formula. He has done well on it and is rarely gassy. I struggled with not breastfeeding and the pediatrician assured me that advances in formulas make them very safe and similar to breastmilk.

Answer 10

you may need to change formula . my now 9 month old would not breast feed at all so i know what your going through but i didn't have that problem with my 3 other kids talk to your dr. to see if there is a dif. formula you can try
Good luck