can you breast feed and formula feed at the same time???

Question

i am thinking about breastfeeding but cant all the time is it ok to feed the baby from my breast and then the rest of the time let her have a formula bottle

Answer 1

sure. just talk to a lactation consultant to find the best way to do this with your schedule

Answer 2

Yes. However, if you supplment with formula, the amount of your breastmilk will decrease. The amount of milk you produce usually depends on how much your baby takes at each feeding so the less she drinks, the less you produce. With breastfeeding you will find your baby doesn't spit up as much and her diapers don't smell as bad. That isn't true with formula. You may have to try different brands of formula before you find one your baby can tolerate. You can always use a breast pump and freeze your milk - that way your baby can still have breastmilk without your being there. There are several websites and books available about breastfeeding. You should also involve your child's pediatrician in your decisions. The LaLeche League is a good website about breastfeeding.

Answer 3

I started out breast feeding my son up until he was about 2 months old and then I had to go back to work. I wasn't able to pump so he had to be put on formula and I tried to breast feed in the evenings and at night. he is now 7 months old and on formula exclusively along with cereal and baby food. He had no problems with the transition from one to the other.

Answer 4

Its okay if your baby is the forgiving and adaptable type. Some babies have nipple confusion and refuse to take either the breast or the bottle. If this is the case with your daughter, you should pump your breast milk and bottle feed that as well. Good Luck

Answer 5

It is fine to do it that way, but I feel that if you have the milk production, you should pump and feed that to the baby in a bottle instead of formula. If you fall into that income range where you qualify for WIC, they may be able to help you obtain a pump if you are unable to get one. If milk production is an issue, and you are pumping, feed the breastmilk alone and first to baby so she gets as much breastmilk as possible.

Answer 6

I would think that you can leave some breast milk stored for the rest of the day. Nowadays, it's easier to breast feed because of modern technology to where you stored the milk in the refrigerator. And when you come home, you just freshly breast feed again!

Answer 7

Sure can. After my son was 6 months old she only breast feed at night. The rest was formula.

Answer 8

Yes but everytime you supplement with formula you are sending the signal to your body to make less milk. If you really need to feed the baby something from a bottle how about your own milk?

It wont take long supplementing with formula before your weaned...

IF you need help figuringout a more workable situation call your local WIC Department and talk to their Lactation person or call your local La Leche League. the toll free nomber is 1800-laleche

Answer 9

Absolutely....that's my plan! I'm going to do mostly breast feeding for the first month (with dad-to-be bottle feeding formula If i'm not up to it) and then transition into just bottle feeding.

Answer 10

you sure can. If you want to pump and save that you can do that too.
any breastmilk your baby gets will be beneficial so even if its only half that's better than none at all. It may be hard to keep your milk supply up so I would nurse as much as you can. I would suggest only breastfeeding for the first 4-6 wks to cut down on the possibility of nipple confusion
good luck

Answer 11

Yes, it's okay, just be careful though. I breastfed for 4 weeks and then did both, but after 2 weeks, my baby refused to take the breast at all! Also you will probably have to pump some milk to keep your supply up.