breast and formula feeding

I am breast feeding, but also want to introduce formula, How do I go about that, would I go back and forth through feedings breast then bottle? Has anyone done this? My DS is 2 weeks old

[filbert143]

Just curious why you want to introduce formula?  If you want to do that to be able to bottlefeed as well, you can always pump and bottlefeed your breastmilk.  That's what I do so that my DD (now 7 weeks) will have an easy transition once she has to go to daycare and be bottlefed.

I personally pump morning and night to build up a supply for the freezer and for any feedings that I'm not around for.  Plus its a way for my DH to be able to feed her and bond with her.  Whenever he bottlefeeds her, I take the opportunity to pump.

I'm sure you could do something similar with formula.

[kris123]

I plan to breastfeed my son also and I am going to pump and bottle feed him breastmilk if all go well.  I don't want him on formula because it was a nightmare with my daughter.

[waiting4mybabyboy]

I am introducing formula because my breast milk can't keep up with him demand, he has almost sucked me dry.. I had a tramatic birth with him, I was told with what happened to me I am lucky to get any milk at all, I still will pump as much breast milk as possible, but I don't want him to go hungry so my dh and I thought formula and breast would be the best choice, plus he is cluster feeding so there is nothing left to pump with, we need to leave him at my parents tomorrow night since we are going to a wedding and don't want to have him around 300 different people at this age. we just thought this option was best

[peekawho]

I wouldn't go to the wedding.  People would understand that you just had a baby.  Life happens.

It's hard to switch back and forth between formula and breast.  Your milk supply will decrease even more.  

Good luck with it, though.  Let us know how it goes.  

[surprisebaby]

although pumping would be best for you if you want to breastfeed for the long haul...I was able to successfully breast and formula  feed all 3 of my children.  (however, I only wanted to breastfeed for the first 3-4 months)  My babies switched back and forth with ease.  As pixi said, the worse drawback to this is the firmer stool.  I started with one bottle of formula every couple of days and I let my hubby do it first, but there was little to none "nipple confusion".  Then baby got one bottle a day, and I slowly weaned them, pretty much every week or two I would add an additional "bottle feeding".  It really worked well for me.  I had a trip scheduled for CUBA (my parents were renewing their wedding vows, and my ticket was purchased the year before, so I WAS going and leaving behind my 1-1/2 yr old and 4 month old, and taking my boobs with me! and there was no way I was going to have to worry about pumping while on that trip)  Either way, your baby will be fine!  Best of luck to you!

[rubyolivia]

I am not an experienced mother....but I did just graduate from breastfeeding class! lol I agree with other posters who said that if you are not nursing as much, then your milk will be gone even faster. Have you tried herbs or anything to help with milk production??

As for the wedding...I don't think it's wrong of you to go. BUT at my class, they did just tell us that if all is going perfectly with nursing and not a single problem from day one then at 2 weeks, a bottle could be introduced. (Of course they meant a bottle of breastmilk...but anyhow) They said that generally, though, they want you to wait until about 4 weeks to do this otherwise the baby may get confused and have a hard time nursing. Also, if you are going to a wedding tomorrow night and your baby has never even had a bottle (let alone a formula bottle), he may not take it for the person watching him and then he'll be starving by the time you get back. I am not trying to make you paranoid or feel like a bad mom. I just know that the little guy I nannied for NEVER had a bottle until 4 weeks when I started watching him and then he refused them. So he skipped a feeding and had to be fed when Mom got back. It took him nearly a week to adjust to the bottle to the point where he'd take more than an ounce of milk!

[mum2beagain]

At 2 weeks I felt like I was being sucked dry too! Circumstances dictated I had to give my baby a bottle but I always pumped when he had a bottle, even if I got no milk I pumped so my breasts got the stimulation to produce more. Breastfeeding in the early weeks is incredibly hard and I almost gave up more than once and you will feel like your baby is permanently attatched to you for a few more weeks yet!
Of course it is entirely you decision, my first was bottle fed after my attempts to breastfeed him didn't work out and it was the right thing for us both at the time, my second experience with breastfeeding was hard at first but is now great so I understand both sides of the coin so to speak.
I think that you should do whatever you are comfortable with, it is possible to introduce formula now but it will have it's consequences; if you give the bottle and don't pump your supply will decrease further, you will only increase it by allowing your baby to feed on demand, your baby may (or may not, my first did and second didn't) suffer from constipation and also more than one bottle a day may lead your baby to prefer the bottle to breastfeeding.
As for the wedding I would either not go or ask if it would be okay to bring the baby (even if it mean't you didn't stay the whole day) so that you could continue with the breastfeeding.

What ever you decide best wishes and congratulations on the new baby!

[pixijal]

You can feed him the formula.
Be prepared though...Usually breasfed babies that have a few bottles of formula will get 'stopped up', if you know what I mean.  The formula will make his stool much firmer, and more difficult to push out.  If this does happen, give him a few days, it will usually work out on its own.  No big deal.

If it is NOT a close friend or relative getting married, I would also skip out on the wedding.  It is obviously your choice, but now that the baby has arrived, you'll realize how many things you have to miss out on.  This is a prime example.  

Don't feel like your obligated to go...you gave birth 2 weeks ago.  Your excused under all circumstances.

[KatsPlayland]

I started off breast feeding with my daughter, but I couldn't keep up with her.  So we had to introduce formula.  The only down fall was she liked the bottle better than the breast. But I did pump milk and bottle it for her.  I didn't have problems with her doing both. So I wish you luck.