I dont really want to breast feed all the time (please dont judge.. its just a personal choice. i will if i have no other options) I was wondering if it was possible to mix formula milk with pumped breast milk? And is it bad for your breasts if you use a pump? I'm very young as you can probably tell and am scared to be a mom, so I have a lot of questions.
2007-03-27 08:18:54 · 10 answers · asked by marissa 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I understand being young and having a baby. It is very hard to stand up for yourself when you have older people breathing down your shoulder.
Have you ever heard of La Leche League? It is a mother to mother support group for breastfeeding mothers. It was really helpful for me when I started going. They actually helped me gain confidence in alot of other aspects of parenting.
IF you plan on pumping and feeding your baby then you should plan on getting a good quality breast pump. The higher the quality the more it will help you keep your milk supply up.
It is possible to mix formula and breastmilk. It is not the best mixture sometimes it causes a baby to have gas from the differences between the two. It is definantly better than not giving your baby breastmilk at all.
Using a pump is not bad for your breasts at all.. Just as I mentioned above make sure it is a good quality one to help stimulate your milk supply.
Did you know that the longer you can go without introducing your baby to formula the more protection that you are offering your baby against allergies?
Breastmilk actualy lines the intestines and forms a barrier against foreign proteins. When you introduce formula it automatically destroys that protective barrier.
I would suggest that you breastfeed only for the first 5 weeks or so and pump your milk and freez it. Then after the first 5-6 weeks you can use your breastmilk as a supplement instead of formula.
If you need help on affording a breastpump you can probably get on WIC ( a state funded program) before the baby is born. They will give you milk, eggs, cheese , juice and other healthy foods before the baby is born and afterwards they provide breastfeeding moms the same healthy foods as pregnant moms plus a few other items. But they also give you a breastpump on your request. FOR FREE!!!!
Good Luck! If you need to find your local La Leche League group look here: http://www.lalecheleague.org/WebUS.html
Also I wanted to tell you that Leche League is free!!!
2007-03-27 08:43:51 · answer #1 · answered by Carla R 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have a 5 month old and I had asked the same question to my OB/GYN. While there are no medical facts to support the fact that mixing formula and breast milk is bad for the baby, the only reason the doctors discourage ( not refuse) you to mix is because if the baby had part of the milk and the formula has expired ( more than an hour) you will have to discard the milk. With this goes your highly nutritive breast milk as well. So what I do is feed the breastmilk via bottle first and then in the same bottle, make the formula.
And no, again there are no medical facts to support that pump is bad for your breasts. The only thing you need to be aware of that you HAVE to empty your breasts everytime you pump- which means, even if the milk stops, continue running the pump for a couple of mins and the hindmilk will come out.
Hope this helps and good luck !
2007-03-27 15:56:39 · answer #2 · answered by Superconfused 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is not bad for your breasts to use a pump. After you are use to it, it won't hurt or anything. If you mean what will breasts look like when you're finished with the feeding/pumping...no one knows...everybody's different. My kids ruined my boobs, but it was worth it! You can alternate using formula and breastmilk, but you can't mix them together. Formulas are approved by the FDA and your baby's doctor will help you decide what formula is best. Keep this in mind: Any breastmilk that your baby gets from you is better than none. Making the choice to do it at all is great, don't let peoples judgements get to you, just do your best. Babycenter.com has great advice, lots of articles and a message board for mothers that have great tips. Good luck!
2007-03-27 15:34:22 · answer #3 · answered by Tonia G 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I plan on hopefully doing both. I'm on medications for my heart so I have to make sure that I will even be able to breastfeed. I would keep the breastmilk and formula seperate. I don't belive that breast pumps are bad for your breast. They'll actually help comfort you a bit cause after you have the baby your breast are going to just swell and it's very uncomfortable. Pumping while the baby is asleep or if the baby isn't hungry yet can help to ease the discomfort and keep you from leaking as much. It's natural to be scared as a new mom. I'm scared to be having a baby and that's because I've already gone through this before with my son.
2007-03-27 15:31:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think it is always good to ask questions. In my opinion it is not good to mix breast milk and formula. Only if you are going to be breast feeding in the day and use formula when you are out etc. but donot put breast milk in a bottle and formula in the same one and give it to the baby. most mom use formula when they have to go out and breast feed when they are in the house. The pumps is not bad for your breast, but to be more accurate ask your doctor, they can answer all your questions and concern and give you more details . Good Luck
2007-03-27 15:25:27 · answer #5 · answered by LOVE COOKING 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is ok to alternate formula and breast milk. I had my son 3 months early and the doctor at the NICU said it is fine, in fact they recommended me giving him formula with extra nutrients in it once a day. But i would still talk to your doctor for reassurance. And I have to use a breast pump to add rice for my baby extreme reflux and it will not hurt your breasts. But I would recommend getting a good one. An electric double pump. I have the Ameda Purely Yours and I love it!!! its cuts the time it takes and does it faster because it is closer to a medical grade pump and it comes with several things you will find useful. Email me if you have any questions about the pump.
2007-03-27 17:23:53 · answer #6 · answered by nsrush83 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I AM 22 YEAR OLD I HAVE 2 DAUGHTER ONE OF 4 YEARS AND THE OTHER 8 MONTHS GIVE BREAST MILK AND FORMULA BUT IS BETHER TO DON'T MIX IT, ALWAYS I TRY TO GIVE BREAST FEED IF SHE DONT EAT ANYTHINGS I GIVE FORMULA AND I DONT HAVE PROBLEMS BUT DON'T STOP TO GIVE BREAST MILK NOW SHE WILL HAVE 9 MONTH SHE DRINK MILK OF ME, IN THE NIGHT BEFORE TO SLEEP OR SHE WAKE UP 1OR2 TIMES DURING THE DAY, FORMULA AND GERBER, AND SHE IS NOT FAT IS NOT BAD TO USE A PUMP IF HURT STOP TO USE WHEN THE CHEST IS NOT BIG SORRY I CANT WRITE GOOD ENGLISH GOD BLESS YOU, BYE .
2007-03-27 16:19:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
breast pumps won't hurt your breasts, and are actually very convenient. Check with your Doctor about mixing breast milk with formula
2007-03-27 15:33:26 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well I was told that you can introduce formula around 3 weeks but it is best to wait until 6 weeks if you want to do both. I plan on doing that as well. There is nothing wrong with you and it is your decision. I am 29 and I am NEVER sick and I was formula fed due to health problems that my mother endured. I am also finishing my masters and I am the VP of a company. So being formula fed did not make me "dumb" as some will say. I would talk to your doctor about your choice and she will give you the best options. Good luck.
2007-03-27 15:25:30 · answer #9 · answered by ShanaJ 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
i personally wouldn't go back and forth from breastmilk to fomula.
you can just pump and freeze breastmilk to take out with you places in bottles.
and no, it's not bad for your breasts to pump
2007-03-27 15:50:41 · answer #10 · answered by TN girl 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋