Hi im 32 weeks pregnant, and I have a
question. Can you breastfeed and formula
feed at the same time, like say for
example at home breastfeed and to go out
give formula? Another question how much
formula does a newborn drink, and how
would you know when to add a couple of
more oz of formula to the bottles they get
older so they can get full?
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La Huera
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 02 Apr 2006 Posts: 23 Location: Houston
Posted: 04-13-06 13:37pm
Anybody???
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lsipes
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 325
Posted: 04-13-06 23:25pm
la huera
wrote:
anybody???
yes you can breastfeed and formula feed at
the same time but beware. There are a
lot of things that can occur to deter this
process.
First off, there's nipple confusion.
Don't be surprised if the baby prefers the
bottle, they don't have to work as hard to
get it out. When you breastfeed, they
have to suck until letdown before they get
the goods. Some women let down right
away, others it takes a while. With a
bottle it's instant gratification. Also,
babies drink from a bottle nipple
differently than they do an actual nipple
and it gets confusing for them to have to
do both.
As far as how much to feed, just make a
bigger bottle and if they drink it, then
good. If not, that's your indicator that
they don't need anymore for the timebeing.
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stephanie24
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Oct 2005 Posts: 53 Location: bc, canaduh
Breastfed And Bottlefed Posted: 04-16-06 02:53am
Hi there. I am a new mom and actually
know some stuff now about parenting that I
can share with you. I definitely
encourage you to breastfeed for as long as
you can. My daughter is now 11 weeks and
growing like a weed. I struggled, as
many do, at first with breastfeeding. I
didn't know it would be difficult but it
takes a bit getting used to. It took us
about three weeks to get the hang of it;
it can take up to three months for some,
and others simply give up in frustration.
My daughter drank about 4 oz. For the
first eight weeks, then progressed to
about 6-8 oz. Now. She's nearly doubled
her weight since birth. I introduced the
bottle to her at about 6 weeks because I
wanted a little freedom from the house and
my husband was wanting to feed her as
well. I used a breast pump and stored
milk until it needed to be used. I
introduced her to similac about the same
time because my daughter was going through
a growth spurt and I couldn't keep up to
her demanding 1-2 hr. Feedings all day
long.
From my personal experience I don't
recommend bottles unless you have to
because they do latch differently on the
bottle than the breast and, for me anyway,
breast feeding became a little painful
because of this latch difference. My
doctor recommended waiting until atleast 6
weeks before introducing a bottle or
trying to give her formula out of a cup.
It works, a little messy, but it works.
Also, I went back on birth control shortly
after her birth and I found it depleted my
milk. Be careful and ask your doctor
lots of questions before going on birth
control if you decide to because it does
have side effects when breastfeeding.
Also, don't be too alarmed if your child
doesn't have as many bowel movements when
you introduce formula, they aren't as
frequent and a little smelly.
Hope this helps
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easybeat
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posted: 05-24-06 20:52pm
Yes, you can do both, and the advice above
is pretty spot on.
You can express breastmilk and give this
to your baby from a bottle, or use
formula.
I'm not sure whats advised in the us, but
here when bottlefeeding it is based on
your babies weight.
Up to 3 months its 5 oz for every 2.2lb,
over 24 hours.
So divide this by the number of feeds your
baby has.
So say your baby is 8lb, thats 40 oz in 24
hours. If you are feeding 10 times in
one day, then its an average of 4 oz per
feed.
If you're breastfeeding and want to use
oral contraceptives, you would need to go
on the minipill, which I think is
progesterone only (its one or the other
anyway!)
this will only be effective properly while
you are breastfeeding at least 4 times in
24 hours.
Also, giving formula will impact on your
breastmilk supply, as it fluctuates to a
supply=demand, you if you're feeding less
you'll make less milk.
I agree with the advice about waiting
until your baby has a good attachment,
although if you wait past around 6-8 weeks
you might find that you have a baby who
will not take to a bottle so easily.
I had a lot of problems with breastfeeding
due to my son having poor attachemnt and a
tongue tie and short tongue. It got a lot
better at around 3 months and I wanted to
give him expressed breastmilk from a
bottle, but he refused to take it. I kept
trying each day, but he kept refusing and
continued to do so until he was 5.5 months
old (note: I kept allowing him to
breastfeed - if you only offer a bottle
your baby will get hungry enough and
eat!)
when you do use a bottle, the longer,
cherry shaped teats are supposed to be
best for infants who will also be
breastfeeding, these are the king most
hospitals will advise. (well, in
australia anyway)
if you do a google search on 'la leche'
you will find some good information on
breastfeeding
