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Categories » Newborn 101 » Breastfeeding » Anyone breastfeed AND formula feed?

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Anyone breastfeed AND formula feed?
pinkducky

Rank: bean
Posts: 1
Joined: 11/16/07
Anyone breastfeed AND formula feed? | 11/16/07 8:55 PM
My daughter had latching problems right from the start (my nipples are too flat for her and the nipple shield was useless- she would flick it right off) so I have been pumping exclusively for 2 months now. In the last two weeks or so I have had to supplement with one or two formula bottles a day because my supply is not keeping up with my daughter's demand. It is such a pain to deal with but I really want her to have breastmilk. Anyone else in the same boat?
Cookie777

Rank: bean
Posts: 2
Joined: 11/17/07
Full Term
RE: Anyone breastfeed AND formula feed? | 11/17/07 5:27 AM as a reply to pinkducky.
I had a lot of latching issues with my son. If I were you I would keep working with the nipple shield. You just have to hold it there the entire time. We had to use it for quite a while until he got better with latching.

Also, to keep your supply up & to make sure she's getting more breastmilk, just pump as much as possible. That way you won't have any concerns about supply & she will be getting breast milk.

Sometimes you have to go a little longer w/o a bottle too to make them really work at breastfeeding. If they are used to a bottle at all they won't want to try as hard to breast feed. It's hard work for them & if they know they can get food easier, they will opt for that. Until they are used to breast feeding. Then they usually like that much better.

Good luck!
anna925

Rank: bean
Posts: 6
Joined: 1/1/08
Full Term
RE: Anyone breastfeed AND formula feed? | 1/2/08 8:19 PM as a reply to pinkducky.
I breastfed my twins for a year, but I would substitute a bottle every once in a while, not with formula though, but a bottle. They loved the Breastflow bottle. It seemed to work well with going back and forth without much confusion (as long as I didn't give the bottle to them , someone else had to).

Good luck!!

 

 

booksponge

Rank: bean
Posts: 2
Joined: 1/3/08
RE: Anyone breastfeed AND formula feed? | 1/3/08 6:42 PM as a reply to pinkducky.
I have a nearly 3 month old daughter. I'm breastfeeding about 75% of the time and mixing in 1-2 bottles per day of either expressed milk or formula. I wanted to do formula every now and then to supplement vitamin D, and to make sure she would accept it - in case of a shortage. My baby is a little finicky with the bottle, but nearly always accepts the breast.

A close friend had her baby 2 months before mine, and started with bottles kind of early. Her baby basically refused the breast after a few weeks. Within 2 months, she wasn't able to stimulate enough production with pumping alone and is now (at 5 months) pumping once per day and doing the rest with formula.

My best advice to you is to do what works best for you and the baby. She will grow and thrive with your love & care - whether it's breast milk or formula.