Is it a good idea to breast feed in the day and bottle feed at night?

Question

I am having my baby in 17 days is it a good idea to breast feed in the day and bottle feed at night?

Answer 1

lol....you want to get up and make bottles at night when you have two premixed bottles attached to you? your crazy

Answer 2

I thought it was much easier in the middle of the night to just get the baby out of his crib by my bed and put him right in bed with me to breast feed instead of getting up and taking the time to make a bottle while he was crying the whole time. I also remember that when he would nurse every 2-3 hours during the day and then sleep all night without nursing I was very physically uncomfortable when I woke up. I imagine it would be the same with bottle feeding through the night. I am still breastfeeding, but do supplement with formula now, and the baby just turned one! I have loved the experience, and have not had any of the problems some women do with breastfeeding.

Answer 3

I think I am split on this 1. If the baby doesn't go thru nipple confusion or simply refuse to take the bottle from Mommy. I'd say go for it, but that leaves just 1 small not so small question. What about your extremely full leaking breasts at night? Unfortunately I tried this and woke up in pain from full breats or at the very least my tops would be wet. You may want to see what the baby's sleep schedule is like before you decide. I know plenty of women who simply put the baby to them at night while in bed saying it's easier then the bottle. If you are planning to use the bottle be aware some babies are picky and others aren't I've had 3 and they are all different. Basicly, honey you're going to have to see what is the most comfortable for you and the baby. You can always pump breast milk I had to do it when I went back to work and supplement any missed feedings or "just to be sure" with a formula bottle. You also may be blessed with a sleeper. You know the baby that wakes up maybe once or twice at first and then sleeps right thru the night. We can always hope. Whatever you do be sure you are comfortable with it and don't let everyone else tell you it's wrong. If it works for you and the baby and no one is getting hurt then go for it. If you have any doubts you can always call your baby's doctor.

Answer 4

Well their might some concern to nipple confusion, but if you are primarily wanting to pump your milk into bottles than you should be fine. Formula is harder for your baby to digest, so they don't need feedings as often. Breastfeeding is usually every 2-3 and formula is 3-4 but can be different for each baby. This will help with baby to sleep longer at night and because of this might be able to differentiate between night and day sooner (almost all babies when born are turned around...sleep more in day, awake more at night) but again if wanting to breastfeed without concern to pumping, i would wait to introduce this until you have an adequate milk supply and your baby latches and sucks well. Otherwise you could be causing yourself more harm than good. Once that is taken care of i would say go for it. Oh and for engorgement if you do choose, cabbage in the bra for a couple hours will help, but not too long cause it can dry you up. Honest i did it when i was weaning and it worked. And also you will only be uncomfortable for a few days, your body regulates your supply based on how much your baby eats so it will regulate and you won't be engorged at night if you just wait it out a couple of days. Good luck and congrats!

Answer 5

i breast feed my son and honestly it is one of the best gifts you can give your baby because you become bonded and share that time it is also better than any formula and cheaper but some people can't latch the baby on properly so it hurts or the baby doesn't want breast milk so you may have to wait until you give birth to see whether your baby and you can breast feed it's not easy to start with but it is the best for your baby you may confuse your baby by doing both i only gave my son a bottle for juice or a bit of water i tried in the begining to do both but it did work out congrats on becoming a mommy!!!
do what you and your baby are confortable with

Answer 6

If the reason you would like to do this is to get your baby to sleep for a longer stretch, then I would suggest it is not a good idea. That formula fed babies sleep for longer stretches because they are fuller is a bit of a myth. I think it totally depends on the baby. My bub is breastfed and is and always has been an excellent night sleeper - better than other formula fed babies I know!

If it is so you can get someone else to do a night feed for you I totally get that logic. I would suggest expressing just before you go to bed and then get your partner to do the first feed of the night so you get some more shut eye. If you use formula for this feed you might find yourself sore, leaky and unable to sleep.

Best of luck to you and your new baby.

Answer 7

My 10 week old baby is formula fed and he does not have diareah. It will give you sanity if someone can help you feed baby at night.

I chose to formula feed for a number of reasons including, no public feeding worries, control in that you know how much they are having. Formula fed babies sleep longer between feeds, you can get help feeding and dont have to watch what you eat and drink.

I contemplated doing both and tried breastfeeding in the hospital but it wasnt for me. Whatever you decide will be the right choice for you. You have to do what keeps you happy.

I feel no less bonded with my baby because i bottle feed - dont be bullied into a decision one way or the other. If this combined technique is what you would like to try do it.

Also there is no need to heat formula - the hospital i stayed in encouraged me not to and my baby drinks it like there is no tomorrow. Also you have to get up and change the babies nappy/diaper anyway so its not like you can just roll over and thats it when the baby is fed.

Good luck with your baby.

Answer 8

It's best to use a breast pump and freeze milk that you cannot use within 24 hours. You can put expressed breast milk into a bottle so your partner can feed the baby at night, or when you are needing to rest. It is best to get them used to taking a bottle as soon as you can, but not necessarily formula, because if you have to return to work it is easier for the caregiver to feed your baby.

Answer 9

You may get varying answers on this, but I say yes. When I had my children I breast fed most of the time. At night 1-2 bottles of formula. The reason I did this was that the formula contained more protein which helped the babies sleep longer at night. Also, if you are tired your husband/bf can take over a feeding so you can get some much needed rest. Just remember, it's great to get advice on these things, but ultimately just do what you are comfortable with. Mother's instincts are usually the most accurate.

Answer 10

Nurse as much as you can the first 6 weeks or you won't get a good milk supply established. After, give your baby at least 1 midnight feeding to keep your supply up and steady. YOu'll be so engorged at night you'll want to nurse, anyway. Nurse at least a total of 6 times in a 24 hour period if you're going to bottle feed also. The midnight feeding also helps to hold ovulation off and creates a natural spacing between pregnancies.

Until they can hold the bottle themselves you'll discover it's much easier to put the baby in your bed and nurse while you both sleep. Get a co-sleeper if your worried about rolling over on it.

There is no suc hthing as nipple confusion. SOme babies do have a preference but both mine took bottle and breast no problem.

Answer 11

I would stick to one choice, either breastfeed or bottlefeed. If you breastfeed and then bottle feed, the baby may not take to breastfeeding again and if you bottle feed and then try to breatfeed, the baby may not latch on.. Also, to switch back and forth like that will probably frustrate the baby. Feed newborns on demand. Keep consistent with whatever choice you make.