I pump...so she is already introduced to a artificial nipple...
2007-06-30 08:43:59 · 15 answers · asked by mrs.dyess 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I would like to know what is motivating you to provide formula rather than breast milk to your baby?
The benefits of breast milk last a lifetime in terms of your baby's health and your own. As you know, there is more to breastfeeding than simply providing nourishment to your baby, although that in itself is key. The connection between the two of you is enhanced through the act of breastfeeding itself. It's also the easiest, most cost-effective and least time-consuming method of ensuring your baby gets the best nutrition.
If you do decide to alternate with formula your body may get the message that it doesn't need to make as much breast milk and you may slowly stop making breast milk altogether. Dr. Jack Newman is my favorite resource for breastfeeding questions. The World Health Organization is another good resource. Finally the Weston A Price Foundation has a whole section on breastfeeding that might be of interest.
Best wishes to you both.
2007-06-30 10:18:28 · answer #1 · answered by cald1905 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Because the iron is different in formula it can cause malabsorption problems with the higly bioavailable iron and nutrients in the breat milk. You certainly CAN supplement, that's up to you, but exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months is best for baby's long-term health. Plus, supplementing is the first step towards weaning and baby's should be breastfed for a minimum of a year according to current recommendations.
2007-06-30 16:11:03 · answer #2 · answered by Classic Claire 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can do that I breastfeed and I did that my doctor told me though to make sure you pump at the feeding that you are giving your chikd a bottle so you don't get an infection. and for to wait till the child is at least a month old so there is not nipple confusion. But besides that its not problem some babys like mine milk based formula bothered them so I had to use soy based so if your child starts to get really gasie or is not feel right then you may need to use soy.
2007-06-30 15:53:17 · answer #3 · answered by smilies1998 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Quick disclaimer: Breastmilk is a better food for your baby, will prevent him/her from getting sick as often, will help prevent allergies, will keep baby from getting tummy upsets or colic as much. Breastfeeding also reduces your chances of getting breast cancer and helps you lose weight. Breastfeeding is cheap. Formula-feeding is not cheap.
Your baby will be okay, yes.
Just remember that you will want to slowly change your feeding habits to avoid engorgement issues. For each feeding you will be replacing with formula, you will want to take about a week to let your milk supply adjust. If you wean yourself too fast, you will end up engorged and could get clogged milk ducts.
If you do get engorged, use warm compresses (hot washrag) or take a warm shower to express some of the excess milk. Make sure you switch breasts at each breast-feeding. In other words....
Week 1: L-breastfeed, bottlefeed, R-breastfeed, L-breastfeed, R-breastfeed, etc.
2nd week: L-breastfeed, bottlefeed, R-breastfeed, bottlefeed, L-breastfeed, R-breastfeed, L-breastfeed, etc.
continue replacing one breastfeeding with a bottle feeding each week until you are at the point you want to be.
If you notice any redness, hot spots, lumps that do not dissolve with expression, fevers, sharp pain, or other signs of infection, see your GYN/Midwife to determine infection and start antibiotics. If you do get an infection, DO NOT STOP BREASTFEEDING. That will only make it worse.
I suggest joining your local La Leche League and keeping in touch so you have a network of women to help you if you do have problems.
2007-06-30 16:10:27 · answer #4 · answered by saffrondoula 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I found that supplementing with formula gradually decreases your supply, especially if you are not producing enough milk already. Even with constant pumping and working it at it, formula will slowly diminish your supply. I started supplementing at two weeks because my pediatrician was concerned with my daughter's weight gain and I found that no matter how often I breastfed and pumped I couldn't compete with the formula. I made it to about three months at which time I was really supplementing with breast milk as my supply was almost completely gone.
2007-06-30 17:02:20 · answer #5 · answered by jc2006 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Unless you're intending to ween, giving formula that often can lower your supply significantly. So if you plan on breastfeeding for awhile, only do formula in extreme cases. Or else you can give formula, but pump at the same time so your supply stays up.
2007-06-30 16:08:08 · answer #6 · answered by alimagmel 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sure you can. If you do it consistantly, your milk supply will decrease, though. If you feel you need a break from breastfeeding or are stressed out, don't feel guilty about supplementing the baby. Do what works for you.
Good luck!
2007-06-30 17:02:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Whatever works best for you and your baby is fine. Just feed her the bottle holding her real close.
2007-07-04 13:25:50 · answer #8 · answered by dear_vern 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just know that the less you breast feed the less milk you will produce. You must let the baby nurse in order to produce milk.
2007-06-30 15:55:48 · answer #9 · answered by I love winter 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
That could drastically affect your milk supply...it could keep dwindling until you'll have to go to exclusive formula (I did that with my first and was "out of milk") by 3 months :(
2007-06-30 16:03:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋