Formula Help!!

So I am currently exclusively breastfeeding my daughter Anna, whom is now 5 weeks old. We're doing great, she's latching on well, eating lots, gaining weight properly etc. Problem is it's exhausting, especially when we have to go out for the day, or even go out to a restaurant etc, and she needs to be fed.
I was wondering, how horrible do you think it would be to occasionally give her a bottle of formula? It probably wouldn't even be every day, maybe not even every week, just if I'm going out to eat at a restaurant having a bottle handy so I won't have to whip out my boob in the middle of the place lol.
I'm sure it shouldn't be that bad, but my own parents and friends are against it, so I feel bad about it, but it'd just be a lot easier under certain circumstances.

Also what formula brand would you recommend?

[Idleheart41306]

Have you tried pumping so you have a supply for when you go out?  I used to do that with my son, but I would alwaysbring formula just incase I didn't pump enough.  But I never ended up using the formula

[TeddiH]

I dont think that its a bad idea at all. I wish I was still breastfeeding!!!
I would recommend Nestle good start or Enfamil. Im sure you have thought about this but I will suggest it anyway... I personally would try to pump a little here and there for when you need to go out.

[Idleheart41306]

I agree with the nestle good start after I stopped breatfeeding my son took well to good start but definitely try pumping sweetie itmakes things alot easier

[Ashelen]

I think it would be fine.....pumping can be exhausting too, but it's definitely a good idea to do if you want to supplement with a bottle....but if pumping AND BFing are too much your supply is probably well enough established by now that a little formula supplementing wouldn't hurt.

Nestle Good Start is what I recommend...we used the Protect Plus for both of my kids and LOOOOOVED it.

[Clysta]

It won't be terrible. Just make sure you find a bottle similar to the breast to reduce chances of nipple confusion, though if it's not often you might never have that. My daughter has a bottle now only if I'm not around (I long ago gave up caring if I fed her in public or home since I learned how to do it without anyone knowing) Ummm... I think the one she uses now is Enfamil Premium or Enfamil AR lipil with rice starch. The doctor gave us both to try for different times. Rice at night the other during the day. If you can pump though (if you have one) it might be easier/better, though I believe you have to keep it cold which could also be a hassle. Try both and see what works best for you.

[pameladawn414]

I have tried pumping however Anna cluster feeds sooo much that their usually isn't much left to pump, the only time I can get anything is at night when I'm usually too exhausted anyways or if she's having a rare day and is sleeping lots (and I mean rare).

I think I'm going to consider Nestle Good Start or Enfamils A+

[vacuumprincess]

I liked emfamil.  

My daughter (also named Anna) had to go on soy because she was so gassy & constipated.

I started formula about the same time also.  Breast feeding is hard work, especially if you have a zillion things to do or others to care for.  I started working again & just didn't have time to pump.  don't feel bad.  The most important time is the first few weeks.

[ammanda]

i use enfamil Prosobee for my son, its for sensative bellies.. and cole loves it!!!  

[Willow10]

Using formula is fine! Some babies only get formula. I strictly breastfed up until a month ago. Now I am back in school and I pumped and pumped to save enough milk for when he is at his grandma's on tues & thurs, but when my bf picks him up from there when he is out of work he will give him one formula bottle if he is hungry before I get home. Its really not a big deal at all. Obviously the more breast milk the better, but if giving him a bottle here and there is less stressful for you go for it bc it will make the whole breastfeeding experiences more enjoyable for you! We use Enfamil Lipils with a dr brown wide neck bottle..its nipple has a wide base so the latch is similar to the breast!

[30something13]

I am going to be against, sorry I had to say. I think thay is she needs a bottle then it should be breast milk not formula at all. Once you have given her formula she will not have virgin gut anymore and it is harder to digest. Also this young she will get confusion from the formula and also maybe the bottle. They have to work harder to nurse and if she relises that she might not want to nurse or won't nurse well being so young.

I think it is soooo much harder to have to give a bottle when you are out anyway. You have to heat it, shake it up, and then the preperation and cleaning is way harder then nursing. Like you said wipe out a boob, is all you need to do!

One thing that I see happening, wel may happen is that if you are already thinking that nursing is hard work even if just while you are out then giving a bottle will only seem that much easier other times. I have seen it happen and do you want to go down that road? Or if you know you won't then fine but you need to ask yourself that question and be honest to your self about it.

Oh I forgot one thing, she might not take a bottle from you and will have to take it from someone else as if she feels you and smells you she will expect to nurse. And breastmilk is best for baby not formula! If youare able to BF then that is what she should get and all she should get.


I have BF 4 babies and nursed two at a time twice and yes in public! I am for sure biaised about breastmilk and the whole thing I guess, but studies show I am right and it is best!

[Ashelen]

formula is getting much better 30 don't forget that some of us don't have the option and our babies turn out just fine :)....both babies i was only able to BF for a limited time and they're both healthy and very bright...so don't be hatin' ;). (just playing around I know you're not).

I did want to mention that you should look into the Tommee Tippee bottles...google them. they're JUST like the breast. when I was BFing my son went back and forth seemlessly.

[ammanda]

I agree, Formula these days has gotten so much better that its pretty much the same as BM. the only thing your lacking is the "bond" but I get a perfect bond with my son while holding him and feeding him his bottle, when he looks up at me in-between sucking and smiles for a quick second at me. I love that!!!!

and its really not all that hard to bottle feed, I dont warm up bottles or do any of the extra crap, my baby eats his bottles room temperature.. and as bottles were difficult in the begining cause i was so overlay protective and freaked out over germs. when he was a newborn that i sterilized them at every cleaning.. now I just soak them in hot water and soap for a few minutes and wash them up, I was bottles when I do dishes, I just wash them first and by themselves. so its not like its extra hassle, Im already doing dishes.  I have nothing against breast feeding. heck i wish I had the nerve to do it.. its not for everyone and you got to remember that.

Its perfectly fine to give formula, lots of woman use both, cause they have to.  your not a bad mom, although it is possible for them to get confused. its not like your sinning or anything....

[pameladawn414]

Well bottle confusion I'm not worried about, on recommendation from my midwife to cure Anna's gas we give her an ounce or two a day of fennel water mixed with a little bit of chamomile tea in an Avent bottle and she still breastfeeds np :)

Also I have to agree with Ammanda about cleanup, I do the same thing!

Nestle good start has formula with probiotics even now so I'll try her on that I think.

[tiredbuthappy]

to clarify what 30something said about "virgin gut." It is not a shot against formula moms and shouldn't be taken as such.
A baby who has never had formula has never been exposed to foreign proteins. Medically, this is considered to be an advantage. When I stopped pumping after 6 months, I had a lot of milk frozen. I asked my ped how to feed it, expecting him to tell me to spread it out over several months. He instead told me to use all of the milk first to maximize the benefits of it. The immature gut does best with less foreign things introduced.
So, if it is an option, it is optimal to avoid introducing formula. Breastfeeding is hard work, and if you have worked this hard, you might as well maximize its benefits. If it's not an option, then of course formula probably won't harm her. I personally recommend Good Start as well. When I had to switch, both of my girls did better on the Good Start. Since you mostly breastfeed, you don't have to worry about probiotics or anything- she gets that from you!

by the way, if you choose to try to pump before going out... i had a cluster feeder who over-ate due to reflux. She was always eating. To pump, I would feed side A, then B, then pump side A. My baby was frantic and unwilling to work at an empty breast. Since I pumped the side that she wasn't going to start the next feed, it didn't frustrate her.

[waitn838]

i had the same issues with my daughter....breast feeding was exhausting....i decided to feed her formula by day and breast feed at night...at 8 weeks old i stopped breast feeding completely....i could not keep up

even if you give her formula you would need to pump to keep your supply....its hard and i admire anybody who exclusively breast feeds for more than 2 months

there is nothing wrong with formula feeding despite what people say....my son was exclusively formula fed and he is very smart....they are testing him soon to see if he is gifted...he's already met the 1st grade curriculum and its only october