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Formula AND breast milk?

jjmz1127jjmz1127 member
in Breastfeeding
I'm EBF and was wondering would it hurt LO to give her a bottle of formula every now and then? She eats like a champ so I don't have much opportunity to pump. We live out of town and have visitors just about every weekend. She eats every 2 hours and I don't want to have to constantly take her away to feed her. I also am hesitant to give her formula bc I don't want her to prefer it over bm... What's a mom to do?
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Re: Formula AND breast milk?

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  • BootsOrHeartsBootsOrHearts member
    I personally would love it if my baby was EBF. I get jealous when other people try to give him a bottle so now when visitors come, I let them hold him but when it's time for him to eat, I'm the only one who gets to give him a bottle. So be glad and proud that he's EBF and you are the only one who can feed him!

    Introducing a bottle earlier than you need to is risky as they can develop nipple preference. And frankly, many breastfed babies will reject a bottle at first anyway. He may also reject formula. If you've ever smelled it or tasted it, it's really nasty so you can't blame them. Mine will only drink it if he's really hungry and then he will do so begrudgingly.
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    BFP#2 EDD 10/29/13, C/P 2/25/13, Bye little Ish, we barely got to know you.
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  • rexgirl06rexgirl06 member
    I don't breastfeed in front of anyone but my husband and sister who also breastfeeds currently. LO doesn't care for a cover. I am a more conservative person but I never felt like I had to explain why I was going into the other room. Just because you lost "all dignity" in the delivery room, does not mean you can't have a little bit of privacy and alone time with your baby. Plus it's a good excuse if company (or family) is getting on your nerves. :) 
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  • EricaOOEricaOO member
    I breastfeed and have also been feeding formula since LO was 2 weeks old.  She takes both just fine.  I love that she gets breastmilk but can take a bottle if needed.
    Married June 23, 2012
     
    TTC #1 December 2012
    DD born December 2013 
     
    BFP  January 2015
    Due October 2015


     
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  • eves1989eves1989 member
    I envy women who have ebf. My DD took breast and formula milk and we didn't have a problem. She weaned when she was 5 months old so she took just formula from there on.
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  • pumpkinwife07pumpkinwife07 member

    Honestly, I think you should do whatever you want. If giving your baby a bottle of formula a day allows you to relax, take a much needed break, enjoy your company - go for it! Lots of people are combo fed and do perfectly fine. I promise you the your child's gut and entire life will not be ruined over this.

    In real life - most people I know combo feed.

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  • pumpkinwife07pumpkinwife07 member

    Oh goodness - took you long enough to respond. I thought you were going to let me down.

    I know this is going to come as an incredible shock to you - but not everyone cares about breastfeeding the way you do. Many mothers have a much more relaxed approach and are quite frankly smart enough to realize it really doesn't really matter. Their children will be healthy, happy and grow just like your breastfed kid.

    Now, there is nothing wrong with being passionate about breastfeeding - just take a deep breath - and realize that others may not feel the same way. It's about being open minded and remembering that motherhood is not one size fits all.

    If giving her baby a bottle of formula here and there makes her happy - she has my blessing. And if you truly were supportive (of all mothers)... she'd have your blessing too.

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  • pumpkinwife07pumpkinwife07 member

    Theresat - Here's some food for thought

    https://mamabythebay.com/2013/07/30/i-support-you-2/

    Check out that link and spend some time on google... seriously.

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  • CNYBride05CNYBride05 member
    Just nurse her.  If you are uncomfortable nursing in front of people, use a blanket or nursing cover.
    Natural m/c Oct. 2005

    Dx: balanced translocation and LPD

    TTC since Oct 2011

    BPF 02/19/12, EDD 10/31/12, natural m/c 02/28/12 (4w6d)

    IVF (BCPs starting 10/30/12, ER 11/18/12, 5dt of 1 beautiful, healthy embryo 11/23/12)
    BFP 12/02/12, u/s @ 6w,5d showed 2 HBs! Identical twins!!
    Bed rest from 21w-35w due to short cervix, hospital bed rest from 23w-32w due to PTL
    Our rainbows were born 07/19/13 (36w, 5d)

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  • Cupcakes339Cupcakes339 member
    I don't know how old is your baby, may be still young if she needs to feed every 2 hours. I had over supply until LO was 2 month old so I took my BM supply for granted. Soon after she started STTN and I bottle fed her at evening without pumping (she cluster fed at evening and flow.is slowin the evening so she seemed to like bottle better at those hours and get frustrated if i tried to nurse) my supply took a quick drop and it was hard to get it back . So as other PP said, I would at least try to pump a little to keep up the supply.
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