How long after a baby is born should you brest feed?

Question

Im to go back to work 6 weeks after the baby is born but can I give him formula and brest feed or do I have to pick one or the other???

Answer 1

Our baby is 13 months old- and still nursing. I work full-time. I went back to work when she was 10 weeks old and she never had formula. Here is what I did:

1. I pumped before going back starting when she was 1 month old. I pumped first thing in the morning and after I got her down for a nap in the afternoon. Those 2 times were the times I was most full.

2. I have a great pump- I have an Ameda pump. It's easy to use and easy to clean.

3. I am a teacher and pumped 3 times a day at work and once before I left- she had that bottle in the morning after I left.

4. On the weekends, I stuck to pumping twice a day- in the morning and in the afternoon after her nap to keep my freezer supply up.

5. She started solids at 6 months of age and until that time, nothing but breastmilk.

Some people do not have the milk supply that I have- and need formula- as long as your baby is getting breastmilk during the day a couple of times, you should be ok- keep pumping and supplement only if you need to.

I am not pumping now- but I have a lot of milk still. She nurses in the morning, in the afternoon after I get home and again before bed. She also drinks 3 cups of milk a day.

You can do it without formula but you have to pump. You have to pump regularly. I also noted that on Monday's I always got a lot of milk but by friday, the supply was a bit less. Probably because my body was used to the routine on Friday's. On the bright side, by wednesday's- my body was ready for pumping each time- let-down was quick because my body knew it was time.

Good luck- and you can do it. I really feel good knowing our baby has had the breastmilk this long- and she has only been sick one time in 13 months- pink eye when I got it from work. No ear infections, no colds- nothing.

Our 11 year old also breastfed- and he is rarely sick. When he is, it's short- we are suffering for a week or more- he has it for a day and is past it.

Note: be firm and consistent with your pumping. My team didn't like the fact that I pumped on my planning period because I am the "boss". I was firm- pumping first all else after. With my boss, I was the same way- I was late back from a break during a meeting- and he mentioned it. My response: I pump now and get it over with or I get a breast infection later and am out for a day- which would you prefer?" He never brought it up again. It helps too that I am never out sick, always on-time, etc. Stand your ground.

Good luck to you!

Answer 2

If you are able to breast feed your baby then I would suggest breast feedinf for as long as you can. You can wean your baby onto formula should you need to return to work or whatever. I was unable to breast feed and my baby has been on formula from the beginning and there is absolutely nothing wrong with him. There is much debate about when babies should start solids - 4 months or 6 months. Opions keep changing. There is baby food available from 4 months but not all babies are ready to eat at this age. If your baby is pushing the food out of their mouth and does not have the correct swallowing action then they are not ready and should wait another month or two and then try again. Finger foods can be introduced around 8-9 months of age. Start with soft foods like well cooked vegetables and soft fruit, grated cheese, bread etc Things that can be easily gummed if your baby has no teeth. As they get better and better at this you can start giving them more and more of what you are eating. Avoid peanuts, popcorn etc that present an obvious choking hazard.

Answer 3

You should start breastfeeding as soon as the nurses hand you your baby, and continue for as long as possible. Lots of mothers go back to work at only 6wks, and are able to continue breastfeeding. Hopefully you'll be able to pump your milk out to offer than during work hours, but if you aren't able to keep up with your baby's demand you can substitute formula for the difference between what you express and what your baby needs. Even breastfeeding your baby in the mornings, evenings, and weekends is a GREAT advantage for your child.

Answer 4

You CAN do both but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you should exclusively breastfeed for at least the first 6 months and then add healthy solids (purees) in addition to breast milk for at least the remainder of the first year. You should invest in a good electric breast pump and give only breast milk. It's possible. I worked full-time and breastfed. I just pumped on my breaks and my lunch and stored the expressed milk in a mini cooler or the break room refrigerator (to be used for the next day while I was at work).

Answer 5

you can do both, i strongly suggest you pump, even if you cant pump enouhg for the whole day you can pump for half the day. i went back to work at 6 weeks and my son has only had formula once ( because someone thought he should have it) anyways hes 6 months now and i plan to do it until hes a year. i love the bond and special time i have with him. supplementing will be fine.

Answer 6

You can feed breastmilk and supplement with formula at the same time, if that's what works best for you. You do not have to pick one or the other.

Answer 7

there is a variety of things you can do.
Pump at work & refrigerate the milk
That milk can be used for when you are gone at work.
If that is impossible to do then formula is fine.

You can nurse in the morning and evenings if your child and your body can adjust to the change.

For some people this is easy, others have a tough time.

Answer 8

I heard doctors recommend until the baby is 3-6 months is ideal. You can breastfeed and give formula. Some say its bad to switch but I haven't seen any problems with the baby's that do.

Answer 9

the first 2 weeks is best for breastfeeding, but you can alternate formula than breastmilk.i breastfeed for 8 months,than to wing him and myself i'd give him breastmilk,then the next feeding i'd give him formula until my milk dried up 1 month later.

Answer 10

You can do whichever you like. The government says it's beneficial to feed for at least 18 months, but do whatever works for you and your baby. Lots of mothers work and pump their milk.