I supplement with formula a bottle or two a day. mostly when I'm not around and dad is watching him. I tried pumping with a medela pump but I just don't have the patience so formula was next best thing right? I was just wondering if my child is still getting the full benefits of breast milk even though I give him around 8 oz of formula daily? What's your experience on this?
2007-02-26 16:53:38 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Your baby is going to be just fine... he is still getting the benefits of breastmilk. Formula is a great substitute to breastmilk. Don't ever let anyone try to tell you that formula is bad for him. My daughter is formula fed, and is doing extremely well.
2007-02-26 17:03:36 · answer #1 · answered by naenae0011 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you're not getting the full bebnifts of formula. Studies shows formula changes the flora and ph in baby's digestive tract, even one bottle of formula can cause a change that lasts for weeks!
Still, some breastmilk is better than no breastmilk and one day of breastfeeding is better than never breastfeeding.
However, studies show the use formula leads to early weaning.
Did you have the medela PIS? IT is the best pump on the market next to hospital grade pumps you rent. Although I understand not having the patience (Or time) to pump. 3 month old is a straight booby baby cause i simply don't have time to pump and give hime a bottle for anything. No biggie.
2007-02-27 01:08:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, it's probably hard to know about "full benefits" of mostly breastfeeding, but here's something I tried.
If I was in a rush, I would pump for a few minutes and then mix the breast milk with formula (to cut down on the amount of formula). I also found that the baby took the bottle better this way and spit up less afterwards.
I think breastmilk is the best food for a baby, but I also believe that a little formula is ok. I was completely stressing about having to go to a conference for a couple of days and even my lactation consultant told me "Just do the best you can....formula isn't fatal, afterall." Of course I knew that, but I was getting entirely too worked up....
Good luck to you and congrats on the baby.
2007-02-27 01:01:07 · answer #3 · answered by java girl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My first baby had no formula ever. My second baby was losing too much weight on day 2, and becoming very sleepy and missing feedings. My milk didn't come in until day 4, and I didn't have a lot of colostrum (or he had to work really hard to get it from one of my breasts), so we had to supplement with formula a few times. I did not like giving him this artificial milk with so many additives--with dairy and soybean oil too! But I got over it and continued with exclusive breastfeeding (and boy did he soon get nice and chubby!).
If you are okay with it, then it's your choice. The problem is that if a feed is being done with formula rather than breastmilk, your supply could be affected. And sometimes babies get lazy and they learn to love the easier flow of bottles. Although who could prefer the plastic nipple to Mom's warm body and all that?
It really depends on whether you are okay with it. I personally would never give my baby formula if I didn't need to. We who have breastmilk are so lucky to have it! Lots of Moms give formula because they have problems with their milk.
The fact that you are asking this shows that you are concerned about your baby and want to give him the best. And good for you for breastfeeding--might be worth it to get a good pump!
2007-02-27 01:18:07 · answer #4 · answered by kammie42001 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋