How do you start formula for a breastfed baby.?
August 8, 2008 by admin
Filed under baby formula
I am going back to work and I want to start giving my baby formula in addition to breast milk. I am interested to know how others started their breastfed babies on formula. She does drink from a bottle.
I don't want to completely cut out breast milk. I just want to add formula in. Tell me about your experiences and ideas on how to make this convenient for my baby and me!
I forgot to state that my baby is 5 months old
I had to quit nursing because - I was going back to work and didn't want to pump at work and because I wasn't making enough milk… I would nurse her in the morning when she woke up, then like an hour later feed her 2 oz. of formula, then go as long as she wanted and feed her bottles during the day then nurse her at night. Eventually I just quit nursing - and by eventually, I mean in one week she was totally on bottles.
My baby did fine, she didn't get sick or anything. She never even spit up. I think she was just happy to be getting some food! I didn't produce much milk…
Anywho, it is really easy, just make yourself a little schedule, if you want it to be more gradual, then just start out with one bottle a day and add a bottle feeding every day until you are completely on bottles.
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Tara S on Fri, 13th Jun 2008 3:27 pm
Just add it to your breast milk in a bottle. For example - if you are giving your baby 3 oz - give 1.5 B. Milk and 1.5 formula. Then step it up as time goes on.
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1girlanddoitagain on Fri, 13th Jun 2008 3:29 pm
you can alternate from breast to bottle. depnding on what time of the day you go to work you can breast feed in the morining or pump and switch up with every other bottle
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Avodah on Fri, 13th Jun 2008 3:30 pm
I would recommend against it, you should be able to pump milk while at work. There are laws supporting this.
It would be better b/c a breast fed baby is going to think the formula is absolutely DISGUSTING. (which it is, trust me). Also supplementing with formula, you will produce less milk, then you will end up cutting out the breast milk anyway. I couldnt get any of my babies to even try formula, they clammed right up as soon as they tasted it, even when they were starving. (I had to have med tests a couple times, and had a couple breast infect that made me bleed!)
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Melissa S on Fri, 13th Jun 2008 3:31 pm
I slowly introduced formula by mixing it with expressed breastmilk. For example, I started by giving 1 ounce of formula mixed with 5 ounces of breastmilk. After a few bottles like that, I gave 2 ounces of formula and 4 ounces of breastmilk. Then, 3 ounces of formula with 3 ounces of breastmilk, etc. This went on until I eventually transitioned her to formula altogether. My daughter didn't really seem to care either way (i just did!). good luck!
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dylansmom25 on Fri, 13th Jun 2008 3:32 pm
my son was breastfed and I switched to formula and he took to it just fine… it actually kept him full longer and I didnt have to feed him every hour once I switched. but like the other woman said just mix the two for now.
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McMom on Fri, 13th Jun 2008 3:33 pm
Exactly what Avodah said.
You — (and more importantly, your baby) — are much better off pumping and giving your baby expressed milk whilst working.
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klove10381 on Fri, 13th Jun 2008 3:33 pm
I started by adding a little into the breast milk. Now I only give formula for one feeding at night so I can get some sleep! It will depend on how well your baby adjusts to the formula. Some babies have problems with the proteins in the formula. It can cause spitting up, fussing, and crying. I would introduce it slowly and if you have any of these problems, you may need to changeb brands or type!
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mleanne13 on Fri, 13th Jun 2008 3:37 pm
i would wait and just keep pumping. i tried to get my son too take it but no way. they dont like it. he nursed till he was seven months old. then one night didnt want too any more. i wasnt making enough. just make sure u are drinking alot of water. and alot i mean. i didnt i did just tea and that took its toll on me. i would let your baby just use breast milk. the more u pump the more u will make. when u are at home let her nurse as much as she wants. my sister did it with both of her boys and she had to drive 30 to get to work and back. with each baby. so she just pumped and they both nursed till they were like six months then she had to quite cause the boys would nurse them selfs to sleep so she had to quite cause she didnt want to work around it. if u have enough drive i am sure u can breast feed as long as u want. good luck hang in there
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Pinkadot on Fri, 13th Jun 2008 3:42 pm
I had to quit nursing because - I was going back to work and didn't want to pump at work and because I wasn't making enough milk… I would nurse her in the morning when she woke up, then like an hour later feed her 2 oz. of formula, then go as long as she wanted and feed her bottles during the day then nurse her at night. Eventually I just quit nursing - and by eventually, I mean in one week she was totally on bottles.
My baby did fine, she didn't get sick or anything. She never even spit up. I think she was just happy to be getting some food! I didn't produce much milk…
Anywho, it is really easy, just make yourself a little schedule, if you want it to be more gradual, then just start out with one bottle a day and add a bottle feeding every day until you are completely on bottles.
References :
Mommy of 5 month old Maggie