Alternating Breast and Formula?

Can I start formula feeding every other feeding right away after the baby is born?  I'd like to do a combination of breast and formula.  I feel overwhelmed by the prospect of breastfeeding every single feeding, yet I don't want to get really engorged either!

[nursekim]

It is really not recommended to supplement at all when breast feeding especially in those first critical weeks when you are establishing your supply.  Every ounce of foumula that is given is just that much less breast milk that you will produce.  Now once your supply is established you could offer bottles....but once again if baby is sucking on a bottle and not you your supply will most likely drop.

[Becky30]

Thank you!  But I guess I'm wondering if that means my overall supply would drop so much that I wouldn't have adequate supply for every other feeding?  I've read that the breasts will produce as much milk as is demanded.  

If I only demand a full feeding every 6 hours, wouldn't they supply just that much? Or is it different in those first couple weeks?

[nursekim]

Those first 12 weeks are crutial.  What you are wanting to do is very possible but closer to the 12 week mark when you could drop pumps/feeds.

Jut to give you an idea....My little one is 6 weeks.  I nursed him at the breast for 4 weeks and have been "exclusively pumping" for 2 and a half now.  (he was an inefficient suckler) I am pumping on average 22oz daily and I pump 8-10 times in 24 hours.  He is consuming everything that I am able to pump with a small amound of supplements.  

If I was to pump less my supply would surely dwindle quickly since it is supply and demand.  The important thing is to empty your breasts completely very frequently (every 2-3 hours)

My advice for you would be to nurse as much/frequently as possible to get a good supply established and then begin to offer a bottle whether it be formula or breast milk.  But take caution the more bottles given the less you are going to make.  You might want to try to pump those extra bottle feeds so you will still be emptying your breasts frequently.

[sdo527]

Definitely try to go at least 6wks without any supplementation, then you can decide what to do with bottle feeding/formula. You wouldn't want to risk mastatis early on, or a low supply later.