I have read about using breatmilk to mix formula rather than water but can't find anything on the tin about this. My baby is 4 months now and has began waking at night because he is hungry. I have bought some SMA powdered milk to help fill him up. I have lots of expressed milk in the freezer and would like to mix it with the powder so it is better for him and maybe more filling. I have read this in magazines but there is nothing on the tin. Can you do this and if so do you use the same amount as you would of the water?
2007-03-19 07:09:45 · 18 answers · asked by louise 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Start him on the pureed and baby rice/rusks milk mix. At 4 months he`s old enough especially if he`s hungry. Never heard of mixing breast milk with formula though..........Dunno why I get so many thumbs down. A whole generation were started on solids at 4 months when I had my 2 kids, and it was more than likely your generation. If a baby`s hungry, fill him up. That`s how they grow.
2007-03-19 07:15:44 · answer #1 · answered by *~STEVIE~* *~B~* 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
You said you read about this in magazines but i have never heard of this. I know for sure that when making formula for babies this young you MUST follow the directions on the tin because mixing it too thick or thin can cause them to get constipated or under-nourishment. Therefore i don't know if the combination of breast milk (which already has all the necessary nutients) in addition to the formula (which also has most of the necessary nutrients) would be too strong a mix for him. I suggest you consult a doctor with regards to this, maybe he/she would be able to suggest a better method to keep him satisfied throughout most of the night. for now just continue to breastfeed until you get an educated opinion.
2007-03-19 07:43:56 · answer #2 · answered by redz 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have never heard of this. Tho I do give my 3 month old a SMA feed at bedtime so he sleeps through as he is also a hungrey baby. But this is my choice.
I would suggest that you speak to your health visitor about this and see what they suggest.
At the end of the day a baby will only take what they need and breast milk does digest quicker than formula milk. But the choice is yours.
2007-03-19 07:20:35 · answer #3 · answered by vixwood1979 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You will be increasing the calories in the breastmilk by adding powdered formula. This is not a good idea. It can cause constipation or bowel problems. Please don't do this. Just feed him more often and you will make more milk to fill him up. Your body makes what the baby needs as long as you don't start giving him/her formula instead of breastfeeding.
Good luck!
2007-03-19 12:45:10 · answer #4 · answered by Elizabeth M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never heard of mixing formula with breast milk. I would say the safest thing is to mix a small amount of rusk with breast milk and give this say an hour before the last feed. My daughter was having rusks at 4 months and it helped to settle her as she was fuller.
I wouldn't risk detering from what the mixing instructions on the tin say. If you're unsure speak to your HV.
2007-03-19 08:15:50 · answer #5 · answered by niccog26 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I wouldnt advice you to mix breastmilk with formula than water but you can mix half and half of both for sure. I did that cause my girl was having problem to have formula milk when I wanted to stop breastfeeding. Usually its recommended if you baby start waking up at nights because of hunger that's signal to start winning (from 4 months and onwards) . Start from baby rice or baby cereal (gluten free!!!).
Talk to your GP or health visitor first.
Best wishes.
2007-03-19 11:00:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure this is a good idea. I understand the concept but I can't see how it would fill him up any more than your breastmilk. It's not going to keep him full longer. He will probably still wake up to eat until he gets a little older.
It might actually be unsafe. Formula is supposed to be a replacement for breastmilk; I don't think it's meant to be combined. At the very least he could become constipated.
Also, don't put cereal in with his bottle; his digestive system is not ready.
2007-03-19 07:15:58 · answer #7 · answered by Maudie 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If i were you i'd mix the formula as directed and add breast milk so its a mix of both, ie half formula and water, half breast milk. i've never heard of you being able to use breast milk instead of formula and wouldn't want to risk it!
alternatively at four months you could try him with a little rusk mixed up very sloppy with breast milk in the late afternoon/evening. that works too
2007-03-19 07:14:33 · answer #8 · answered by Andromeda Newton™ 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
i would ask the doctor first i have never heard of mixing formula with breast milk,i would try to give him some baby cereal at the last feeding before bed that should work
2007-03-19 08:02:37 · answer #9 · answered by patbgone 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your babe is probably in a growth spurt. Giving formula will not help to up your supply. Neither will cereals. Bring your baby to bed with you for now. It should pass.
Mixing breastmilk with formula will only ruin the breastmilk. Breastmilk has a delicate balance and formula cannot duplicate that.
Just nurse your babe more durring the day, esp right before bed... Just wait until you get to teething and seperation anxiety, you wont sleep again! (co-sleeping helps with these phases too... its really the perfect thing for a baby:)
2007-03-19 07:25:23 · answer #10 · answered by Mommy to David 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋