Can i formula feed my newborn..PLZ ANSA PLZ HELP?

Question

my baby is 3 days old..im having trouble breastfeeding ..it hurts and i hate doing it at night as i get no sleep..he wants food all night...i just went out & bought '''s-26 gold ALPHA PRO
step 1 formula'''' can i try this on him tonight??? do i have to call a docter & ask ..will it make him sick???

i have a breast pump and are planning to pump my own milk for him when it comes in...so in a couple of days..i just wanted to try use the formula for the nxt couple of nights...as im having trouble with breast feeding and are not as patient in the night & are falling asleep..
&& this way his daddy can help out too and feed him while i get some rest

Answer 1

Nothing brings out more conflicting answers than the formula vs breastfeeding questions! You can definitely feed her formula but be aware, that once you start it...it will be very difficult for you to go back to breastfeeding(for YOU I mean!). Formula is much easier and, like you said, your hubby can take a shift. I will say that breastfeeding is a learned thing...it doesn't just come naturally to either of you. Call a Le Leche or the hospital that you delivered(they should be able to direct you), and go get help with it. Also, your daughter will fall asleep A LOT at the breast in the first few weeks...so much that all you are doing is feeding! But then she will "wake-up" and stay awake for longer feedings...so that does end.

I am a breastfeeding advocate, but a realistic one. If you give it a heartfelt try and still choose formula(for whatever reason), then that's the right decision for your family and don't let anyone make you feel guilty. Good luck!

Answer 2

I'm glad that you tried/are trying breastfeeding. It's definitely the best nutrition for your baby. And sometimes it doesn't work. But I agree with a previous poster that you should try talking to the La Leche league or friends that breastfed before you stop. It gets a lot easier as it goes along. The baby is learning something new, you're learning something new... and there might be something wrong with the angle or the way he's attaching. So talking to someone experienced helps a lot.
Giving him a bottle once because you're worried he's not eating enough is one thing, but if you're interested in trying to breast feed further, don't do formula too much or you'll dry up. I had a friend that pumped during the day so her husband could do all the nightly feedings. Then she complained a couple weeks later that she dried up.
Once you get the hang of the breastfeeding, I think it's much easier than formula feeding. Except that you always have to be the one to feed your son, it's very convenient. You never have to warm up the formula, no bottles to wash, and the food is always on hand.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

Answer 3

The hospital I gave birth at didn't push formula I could have said no but I knew that to be sent home she needed to have a bowel movement. A couple hours after she ate the formula she had a bowel movement and she was discharged from the hospital. Other than that she has been breastfed since birth. I am on WIC and they do not push one nor the another, they are only concerned about the babies nutritional needs and if they are being met. One reason why WIC asks is because they need to know if you need vouchers for formula or if you are breast feeding you get extra tuna and carrots.

Answer 4

Please don't give up so quickly! It gets easier! Have patience because both of you are learning something new.

First off, breastfeeding should NOT hurt. This is a sign that something isn't going quite right. Call a Lactation Consultant or a La Leche League Leader for some help. He may not be latching on correctly.

Even if you formula feed, you aren't going to get much sleep. Babies this age need to be fed around the clock and often have their days and night messed up. Remember that when he was inside you he had a constant supply of food and never felt hungry. Now he has a tummy the size of his little fist and it needs filling up frequently.

You need to give up on the idea of getting all your sleep at night right now. With a newborn, you need to sleep when the baby sleeps. If baby is napping during the day, you should be too. Also, bring baby into bed with you. That will make nighttime feedings SO much easier.

Supplementing so quickly is going to most likely put your supply in jeopardy. You need to continue breastfeeding or pumping in order for your milk supply to become established. Have you experienced engorgement and seen your colostrum begin to change over to milk yet? Usually this is 2-5 days postpartum. Remember that breastfeeding is a supply and demand process. If you aren't removing the milk from your breasts, then the supply isn't going to be established and production is going to shut down.

Breastmilk is SO much healthier and feeding at the breast is SO much easier than pumping once you get the hang of it. PLEASE call the IBCLC at your hospital or your local LLL Leader for some help. LLL will help you for FREE and with a 3 day old baby the Leader will probably be willing to visit you at home to help you.

Answer 5

Breast milk is best.

Once you break the feeding cycle, you may stop your milk flow.

Pump during the day. Think of your baby. Lack of sleep is normal, sorry.

Answer 6

I would call my Dr. or Public Health Nurse, just to feel secure that you are doing the right thing, and of course that you'd be using the correct product.
Have you thought maybe of trying a breast pump, I realize that may not be an option is you are in alot of pain. It is just that babies benefit so much from breast milk and the antibodies they get from a mothers milk.
Good luck to you both.

Answer 7

there is risk involved in formula feeding that aren't printed on the label. there is an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease and an increase in the risk of allergies, asthma and obesity. formula isn't going to make the baby sleep longer, thats just a myth as well as that cereal in the bottle will make a baby sleep longer.
you still have to get up and feed the baby, please do not just prop the bottle in babies mouth while he is in bed so that you can sleep, choking risk, increase in ear infections.
when you feed the baby make sure his latch is correct. if you have doubts call the hospital where he was born and speak with the lactation consultant. you can also try la leche league. what about trying to pump and bottle feed your baby the milk he was meant to have? it shouldnt be hurting to feed more than a couple days.

EDIT
if you give formula it puts your supply at risk before you even have it.

Answer 8

I was only 16 when i had my 19 month old son but i chose to breast feed. but after about 2 weeks i just couldn't do it anymore i gave up and bottle fed him. he did fine but now i regret giving up so easily and wish i would've continued breastfeeding. if you choose to do so you can definately bottle feed him but it's always hard for the first couple of days. call a local lactation consultant to see if she can help you.

Answer 9

I'm a breast feeding mentor for a bf support group. The baby probably isn't getting enough of the breast into his/her mouth, but it would be hard to explain on here. I used to not get much sleep, but then I got used to nursing and since then I've co-slept with my son, and I just laid on my side and let him nurse during the night. It barely disturbed my sleep, but the decision is up to you on whether or not you want to continue. I'm sure the formula will be fine.

Answer 10

I struggled with this with all of my daughters. My last daughter was easier to breastfeed.

With my first daughter, I was just not producing enough milk to fill her up. It started while I was still in the hospital. I would nurse her for the time they taught me and she would still be screaming. I truly believe if nursing comes easy for the both of you that breastfeeding is wonderful, but you want your child to be satisfied. And I know how painful your nipples get breastfeeding round-the-clock. The formula won't make him sick. The pediatrician I had when my first child was born made me feel guilty for not following through with nursing, but I don't feel bad about what I did...I tried. And I have a different and wonderful pediatrician for them now!