In rare cases, a health professional might suggest that your baby needs extra nutrition from small amounts of infant formula, as well as your breastmilk.
This is called mixed feeding or supplementing with formula. These professionals will be able to give you advice and refer you to a lactation consultant if you need extra support. You can also call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on Many new mums worry about their milk supply, especially if their babies cry after feeds or their breasts feel empty. Your body may not demonstrate that it can handle the new immediate routine either. In fact, it may even cause breast engorgement or blocked milk ducts, which will cost much more harm than good for you.
After looking at both options and weighing the benefits of each, there truly is no wrong decision when it comes to formula feeding versus breastfeeding. It is a personal choice, unique to each situation.
Bridget Reed is an experienced writer, editor SEO content manager and proud mom of three. Milk Drunk, definition: when a baby is so well-fed and happy that they pass out in your arms, give a tinge of a smile, and have little drops of milk dripping down their perfect little cheeks. Need a good read while you feed?
Keep in the loop with the top pieces from the Milk Drunk team. The content on this site is for informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Discuss any health or feeding concerns with your infant's pediatrician. Next up, what about keeping up your supply? One strategy is to nurse first, then give formula at the end of a feeding. There may be an adjustment period while your baby gets used to this new form of feeding.
Here are three common problems you may encounter. You can experiment with nipples of varying flow level to see if one hits the sweet spot. You may also try repositioning your baby during feeding. While a certain position may be just right for breastfeeding, it might not be ideal for eating out of a bottle. Related: Baby bottles for every situation. In both cases, excess intake of air is likely to blame. Be sure to burp your baby thoroughly after each feeding. Or, again, try repositioning during feeding or offering a nipple with a different flow.
In some cases, your baby may be reacting to an ingredient in the formula, so you may need to switch to another brand. Related: Organic baby formulas worth trying. Before you panic, try to keep your cool with a few troubleshooting techniques:. The Food and Drug Administration FDA specifies that all infant formulas must contain a minimum amount of 29 important nutrients and a maximum amount of 9 nutrients babies need less of.
Every baby-feeding situation comes with its pros and cons. On the plus side for supplementation, your baby will continue to get immunity-boosting antibodies from the milk your body creates. At the same time, you can enjoy more flexibility in your career, social life, and day-to-day activities.
On the other hand, reducing your rate of breastfeeding means losing its function as a natural birth control, since nursing is only proven to be effective for preventing pregnancy when done exclusively on demand. This method of birth control is not percent effective in preventing pregnancy. You might also see postpartum weight loss slowing down.
This is sometimes called mixed or combination feeding. Why combine breast and bottle? You may want to combine breastfeeding with bottle feeding if you: are breastfeeding and want to use a bottle to offer your baby some expressed breast milk want to breastfeed for some of your baby's feeds, but give bottles of formula for 1 or more feeds are bottle feeding your baby and want to start breastfeeding need to leave your baby and want to make sure they have some milk while you're away Introducing formula feeds can affect the amount of breast milk you produce.
Introducing formula feeds If you're combining breastfeeding with formula feeds both you and your baby can carry on enjoying the benefits of breastfeeding. If you choose to introduce infant formula: it's best to do it gradually to give your body time to reduce the amount of milk it makes — this helps lower your chance of getting uncomfortable, swollen breasts, or mastitis if you're going back to work, start a few weeks beforehand to give both of you time to readjust if your baby is 6 months old or more and can drink milk from a cup, you may not need to introduce a bottle at all For more information, see drinks and cups for babies.
Giving your baby their first bottle It may take a while for a breastfed baby to get the hang of bottle feeding, because they need to use a different sucking action. Restarting breastfeeding If you want to start breastfeeding more and give your baby fewer bottles, it's a good idea to ask your midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding supporter for support.
These tips may help too: Hold and cuddle your baby as much as possible , ideally skin to skin. This will encourage your body to make milk and your baby to feed. Express your breast milk regularly.
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