Breast milk and formula?

[ady_f]

Has anyone done both at the same time?? Whether it's been formula and breast feeding or formula and bottle fed breast milk?? What's your experience been? How was baby with two types? What type of formula dos you use? Tell me everything ! Please and thank you :)

I wanted to strictly breast feed but I'm havin a harder time than i thought, even with a lactation specialist baby has a hard time latching and gets really frustrated, my nipples are no good for it so it's hard, I had to formula feed today because she wa so hungry and couldn't latch at all but I am able to pump so when I can i bottle feed her breast milk I'm hoping There will be a time where I have enough milk to just pump and store but I'm barely on my 4th day so I'm making some but not enough to keep up with the cluster feedings, anyways doctor said it was a good idea, likes the fact that I'm still trying to give breast milk some way and knows it's not easy but I can tell the formula I gave her seems to want to make her constipated, so what formula is better so they can poop normal? right now I'm using enfamil for newborn

[ady_f]

Thank you all so much!! I'm actually producing enough milk but she can't latch on and it's hard to sit there for what seems forever to try to latch her  when she obviously can't, so I'm pumping, I'm hoping if she doesn't get to lazy or to used to the bottle she can latch on when she can open her mouth a little more, I'm still trying to latch but I bottle feed formula and bottle feed breastmilk also since I can't keep up the breast milk with her feeding, but thank you all it gave me a good insight on things!

[Kathy2015]

I never made enough milk for my first 2. Im wondering if I will for this one. Time will tell. I breast fed both for the first few weeks and right after feeding I would give a bottle and watch how much they drank. My babies always drank at least an ounce of formula right after breast feeding (that's how I know I never made enough. Even weeks into it they were never satisfied from the breast milk.). I would continue to try though. As much as I could make anyway. I knew even a little was helping my babies.

[mummyvon]

You have to hang in there. My milk supply didn't kick in until the 6th day and latching on properly 3 weeks later. It's crazy but the baby will eventually pull your nipple ' s out. I finger fed breast milk for like 2 weeks. Then used bottles of with restricted flow of formula so the baby didn't get used to getting milk quick and easy. Breastfeeding is a job nobody really tells you this is time consuming, and lots oftakes practice...but so work it.

[specialmom]

I breastfed and supplemented with formula with my first son.  It was actually a great approach in my opinion.  I got to nurse and he had a couple of bottles made of formula a day.  I didn't pump ever and still had plenty of milk.  I started supplementing with formula when I had initial issues with my son latching properly (bloody nipples, no fun!) and it was a recommendation from my pediatrician.  My second son would not take a bottle and only would nurse which was difficult at times once we past the newborn stage.  A bottle is a nice thing to be able to offer to your child.  (whether breast milk or formula).

good luck

[maw4389]

I forgot to mention that if you do notice a bit of a decrease in your milk supply and are having a hard time getting it back up again, you could try a herbal supplement called Fenugreek. You can get it at the pharmacy. The only thing with that is that your sweat and urine will start to smell like maple syrup, and the baby's will too as long as she drinks your breast milk. There is also something called Mother's Milk tea which I think you can also get at the pharmacy. I've also heard of something called Blessed Thistle that you can get at a place like Popeyes or Sangsters. There's also good recipes on thr internet for lactation cookies that are quite good!

[maw4389]

Combination feeding is fine. The only thing with that is that you'll need to pump every 2-3 hours for about 30 minutes per breast (or if you have a double electric pump then you can do both at the same time) to keep building your supply. You should pump right after you breastfeed too. Use Lanolin or breast milk on your nipples too to help with the healing and soreness. The lactation specialist will tell you to keep pumping even if nothing comes out. It will stimulate your body to keep producing and will help keep your breasts from getting engorged. For formula, I personally use Similac Advance and I've never had an issue with it. If you think the formula you're giving your baby is making her constipated or gassy, try switching to a more tummy-friendly kind. Similac makes a formula with partially broken-down protein. Keep in mind it is normal for some babies to go a couple days at a time without pooping, as long as their poop is still green/yellow and not hard. Similac also makes a lactose-friendly formula and also a soy-based as well if they happen to have a cow's milk allergy. You can sign up for free samples on their website too!

[ady_f]

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