QUESTION: Feeding breastmilk AND formula

[sparks19]

I am very pro-bfing. Very. So, take what I say with a grain of salt.

I wouldn't introduce formula. Why? The research behind it supports an increase in intestional issues, increased risk for diabetes, and allergies, to name a few reasons.

I didn't give Jonah a bottle until much later in the game, and it was of BM, not formula. He took to a bottle without issue. He took to a cup without issue. He prolly would have latched onto a bottle of ketchup if I offered it. So, don't presume your baby will have latch issues..

I really don't think she would have latch issues since she was more than willing to latch onto the dogs nose lol. Plus she had to take milk from both finger feeding and BF while in the NICU and she never had an issue switching back and forth. When I gave her a bottle for the first time I don't even think she noticed it wasn't the breast.... she took to it right away and still switches back and forth without issue. I do only bottle feed once a day (at night when my milk supply is at it's lowest after feeding every hour or two during the day) and I have started pumping again.... I've actually pumped a little twice already today but I think I will start pumping at night when I give her the bottle (of breastmilk not forumula) that way my body still thinks it's a feeding and hopefully it will help me make it further through the night without issue since she seems to be sleeping through the night lately. I have had to go wake her up two nights in a row to feed her lol. So like your son.... I really think she would latch onto anything... she doesn't seem too picky

Your antibodies in the BM do so much good for your child. And, BF for YOU does alot, too! Each time you miss an opportunity to BF, you decrease your supply. Decreasing your supply could lead to an early end to the BF relationship. You don't really get that time/place/experience back. Most people think their baby isn't getting enough milk, so they supplement. Supplementation is *usually* the problem, and if not the problem, the beginning of what will prolly be a problem.

Pump a reserve, it helps your supply, and allows your baby to continue with nature's 'best'.

Would formula hurt him? Probably not, but, it wouldn't help him like BM will.

As I said, I am very pro-bf'ing. And, as a single mom (yeah, I am mentioning it *again*), I could have used a night or two of sleep, or, maybe even a few hours off. I pumped at work twice a day to keep up my supply for the first year. I would do it all again.

The time goes so quickly, and before you know it, your baby will be walking and talking (and hopefully still BF'ing). I would encourage you to keep up the exclusive BFing.

Good luck with whatEVER decision you make. It is the first of many. AND, a huge congrats for giving your child the best start you possibly could.

YES Bfing has done wonders for me... I am already back in my prepregnancy jeans... in fact I think they fit better now than they did before lol.

I think I have decided to forget about formula and just start pumping regularly again so that I have a supply of Breastmilk. I know hubby really does enjoy feeding her when he is able to so I don't want to take that away from him completely lol so he can at least use pumped milk to feed her and we will forget about formula.

I am not going back to work. So I will be home all day to breastfeed her and as it stands right now she eats about every two hours throughout the day and I breastfeed her everytime except for the last feeding of the night before bed. So I think she is helping to keep my milk supply up but soon she is going to need to eat a larger amount at a time so I think it is a good idea to start pumping again now.

BTW, I got a whole bunch of free samples of formula which I am now not going to use.... anyone know what charities would want it? or even if anyone on here needs it I can send it to you. They have never been opened.

[Cataholic]

So I think she is helping to keep my milk supply up but soon she is going to need to eat a larger amount at a time so I think it is a good idea to start pumping again now.
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Trust yourself, your body and your baby. Your supply will grow as she grows and nurses more/longer. I delivered a 8.6 pound baby, and was able to keep up with his growth.

BTW, I got a whole bunch of free samples of formula which I am now not going to use.... anyone know what charities would want it? or even if anyone on here needs it I can send it to you. They have never been opened.

A woman's shelter? A foodbank?