BFers - adding a bottle of formula?

Summer20 · March 2010

Anyone do this? I'm considering adding one bottle of formula to replace a nighttime feeding. I'd love to do breastmilk, but she's eating so often I just don't have time to pump. I'd probably pump while DH gave her the bottle to build a stash of breast milk.

If you do this, how is it working out? Any problems? Any concerns I should be aware of?

veronica.tanner · March 2010

We do it often actually. Not just at night time, but when I just can't do it anymore. We've been lucky that she will eat anything. So far we haven't had any problems. She is doing fine.

heatherh43 · March 2010

i do this and have no problems. i would start pumping though at that feeding just to build up a freezer stash for yourself. I had to pump and dump a few days last week because of antibiotics and I now finally have the hang of pumping. It will be good for you too so if you have a problem down the line at least you will have some bm saved up. If you miss pumping one night to sleep, dont worry, missing one feeding wont mess up your flow. at least it didnt mess up mine! lol Good luck!

calahr · March 2010

I am an EPer so my daughter gets bottles of breastmilk all day long. However, I am wanting to quit as I am going back to work in 2 weeks and just won't be able to pump enough times to get what I need for my LO. I started introducing a bottle of formula yesterday and have a very hard time getting her to take it. She finally drank some of it yesterday but today she wouldn't touch it. My little girl just might be picky as I know others have done this and have not had a problem. Good Luck.

Brytany09 · March 2010

When did you start adding a bottle? I want to replace a nighttime feeding with a bottle, I just don't want it to be too early and have her not want to BF anymore.

SaranJonathan · March 2010

I would pump after nursing to get a good supply. Honestly if she is tolerating breast milk and your intentions are to breastfeed for a while then thats the route I would go for the bottle. I pumped after 3 feeds a day (both sides) and by 3 weeks I had about 100 oz in the freezer. Hard work but well worth it. I now pump 3 times a day on work days (twice in the morning and 1 time before work) and get close to 20 oz which is plenty for all her bottles. Good luck!

dunvilles · March 2010

I do this, that being said, my doctor told me to wait until my supply was established before doing this... I would wait until at least 5 weeks... You could start pumping after feedings now to build a stash though!

ncbelle · March 2010

Be aware that if you do this this early on, you risk having supply issues as your body is still figuring out how much milk to make. BFing experts generally advise no bottles period until closer to 4 weeks.

AMYfromKY · March 2010

I used to do that (but used BM), but it ended up just being easier to nurse. Once she starts spacing her feeds you will be able to build a stash. There is definitely nothing wrong with giving a bottle of formula though.

doggylovr · March 2010

calahr:
I am an EPer so my daughter gets bottles of breastmilk all day long. However, I am wanting to quit as I am going back to work in 2 weeks and just won't be able to pump enough times to get what I need for my LO. I started introducing a bottle of formula yesterday and have a very hard time getting her to take it. She finally drank some of it yesterday but today she wouldn't touch it. My little girl just might be picky as I know others have done this and have not had a problem. Good Luck.

have you tried mixing BM and formula...I EP as well and I cant keep up with DS demands so I do 4 oz of BM and 2 oz of formula in every bottle...

get_over_yourself · March 2010

we started with one formula bottle at night at 3 days old, with both dds.neither one had an issue going back to bf.

kieransgirl09 · March 2010

it will get better hang in there!!!

mrsmegs06 · March 2010

I just started this Thursday afternoon. We are doing one bottle of formula right now. It is working out great so far. Plus she stopped eating so often this week, so I actually have time to pump. Thank goodness! Good luck!

jdouglas84 · March 2010

In the beginning I had to supplement with formula because I wasn't producing enough BM, so DD had formula bottles here and there. Now that I've been EPing for a while, I have a bit of a stash built up and I haven't had to give DD formula anymore.

verowed · March 2010

I started supplementing with a 2 oz bottle of formula at night at around 6-7 weeks. At around this time, she started sleeping longer and slowly increased her formula night feeding to 4 oz. Now she's down by 8:30 up for a 5 am feeding, up again at 8ish. When I supplement, I pump and freeze it. I use the breast-feeding nipples when I give her the bottle.

itkatydid@gmail.com · March 2010

It is so tempting to do when your LO is that age but if your true intention is to BF I wouldn't do it. It is a slippery slope. I hate to be cliche but it will get better.

Seriously, nursing my son at 11 weeks is a piece of cake. It isn't even an inconvience. I have two bottles in the fridge right now that I have to find a time to give him because nursing is just so much easier.

Supply issues can be really frustrating and many Momma's will tell you that they quit BFing because of it.

HANG IN THERE. Give yourself a few more weeks and you won't regret it.

calahr · March 2010

doggylovr:

calahr:
I am an EPer so my daughter gets bottles of breastmilk all day long. However, I am wanting to quit as I am going back to work in 2 weeks and just won't be able to pump enough times to get what I need for my LO. I started introducing a bottle of formula yesterday and have a very hard time getting her to take it. She finally drank some of it yesterday but today she wouldn't touch it. My little girl just might be picky as I know others have done this and have not had a problem. Good Luck.

have you tried mixing BM and formula...I EP as well and I cant keep up with DS demands so I do 4 oz of BM and 2 oz of formula in every bottle...

I have not tried mixing it yet. Her Pedi told me to just try giving her the formula first as some babies have no problem going back and forth between breastmilk and formula. It doesn't appear that my DD is one of these babies so I am going to have to start mixing the two. I am just worried that I am going to waste some of the breastmilk if she doesn't finish a full bottle. She typically eats 3 or 4 ounces so we just always make up a 4 ounce bottle.

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