It is known fact that exclusive breastfeeding is the best for the baby. I guess I didn't realize that in the very beginning and let nurses in hospital feed my baby a formula. I would estimate that my baby was given a total of 6oz of formula first week.
After that he was exclusively breastfed and is still being breastfed at 5 months of age.
My question is how harmful that formula might have been to my baby? My husband's family has severe cases of astma and allergies, I found out late that exclusive breasfeeding may prevent my baby from it. What are the chances of him developing allergies now? is the fact he is breastfed now worthless beause of that formula in hospital?
2007-09-05 02:59:17 · 14 answers · asked by gula 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
You can't turn back time and change what happened- you can only go forward and do exactly what you've done- nurse your baby! The article below has some information on why formula supplements, especially in the neonatal period, are problematic.
It's a shame that so many hospitals and healthcare providerssabotabe breastfeeding right from the start.
2007-09-05 03:49:50 · answer #1 · answered by GranolaMom 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
No breastfeeding is not worthless just becuase your little one was given formula in the hospital. Your little one was not harmed by the formula and the fact that he has only had 6 oz in the first 5 months is an accomplishment in and of itself. Many mothers who return to work have to supplement with formula every now and then but it does not negate the benefits of breastmilk they recieve. Way to go for nursing this long, keep it up, the more he nurses the more benefits he gets.
2007-09-05 03:10:58 · answer #2 · answered by Lanie7/21 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Im sure he's fine! That happened to me too. I only wanted to breastfeed but I found out that the nursery at the hospital was giving him formula too from a bottle. I was upset but he still latched on fine and breastfed great. 6 oz. is not going to cause any ill effects. congrats on your baby!
2007-09-05 03:17:16 · answer #3 · answered by sweet girl 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
It isn't harmful in the least. There is absolutely nothing about a single feeding of formula that will do any harm at all. And there is nothing about the advantages of breast feeding that can be taken away by some formula--it is not some magical thing where the one negates the other.
I am a future pediatrician, and while I think breast-feeding is a wonderful, fabulous thing with lots of advantages to both the mother and the baby, I wish people would not put quite such a premium on it. Bottle-fed babies are perfectly fine, and the associations between allergies and formula feeding are not really all that clear.
By choosing to breast-feed, you are giving the baby the advantage of sharing your own immune system for a little longer, just as you did when you were carrying him. I think it's an especially loving gift for a mom to give her baby, because it brings her so close to him.
But there are many reasons why a mother might not be able to breast-feed, or might need to supplement her milk with formula, and no woman should be made to feel guilty about that. In your case, if your son does turn out to have allergies, I beg of you not to think that it's all your fault for allowing a single formula feeding, or anything of that kind. Unfortunately, allergies and asthma do have a strong genetic link, but only time will tell if your son will have them.
Congratulations on the birth of your son!
ETA I too am amazed at the number of people who seem to feel the need to troll any answer that doesn't accord perfectly with their political agenda. Ten thumbs up to RN Jill.
2007-09-05 03:16:26 · answer #4 · answered by Marie 6 · 5⤊ 7⤋
It doesn't hurt at all. Your baby has been given all the immunities of breastmilk so is getting all the benefits. Next time tell the nurses no formula.
2007-09-05 03:08:05 · answer #5 · answered by Melissa 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
relies upon on the wellness facility and the formula company that they are decreased in length with. The wellness facility that I gave delivery out purely gave Similac yet my Pedi purely had samples of Enfamil. It truly relies upon.
2016-10-10 00:05:38 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In many cases, it is necessary to give a baby formula in the hospital, for instance, if the baby has low blood sugar, or if there are persistent problems with latching, etc.
The chances of your baby developing an allergy are relatively slight. Most babies do not develop allergies simply because they had a few ounces of formula at the hospital. Yes, exclusive breastfeeding is best, but a few ounces doesn't mean you sabotaged your entire efforts.
Relax. Your baby will be just fine. If he develops allergies, he was probably bound to develop them even if he had not had formula.
Haha, I can see the trolls are patrolling today, all the thumbs down for perfectly correct answers! LOL
2007-09-05 03:12:04 · answer #7 · answered by Take A Test! 7 · 6⤊ 7⤋
You've been giving the immunities since the formula, so I think its fine.
The formula he was given is no biggie now since you've nursed him
Good job and keep it up!!!!
.
Side Note:
i wish more people new this kind of info about breast milk!!!
2007-09-05 03:06:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 1⤋
Those few oz are not going to have any ill effect on your baby at all.
2007-09-05 03:06:12 · answer #9 · answered by pookiesmom 6 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Both of my boys were bottle fed ( formula ), and neither have had asthma or allergies, they have never even suffered with chest infections, they are now 6 and 8 and both are perfectly healthy, i am now pregnant with my 3rd and this one will also be bottle fed..My mum breastfed both myself and my sister and my sister has asthma...
2007-09-05 03:24:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 6⤋