breastfeeding and supplementing with formula

Ruth - posted on 07/06/2010 ( 3 moms have responded )

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My son is almost almost 4 months. Up until now I have been breastfeeding only, but sometimes I find it difficult to pump enough for when I want to go out alone. He nurses every 2 hours during the day, and sleeps 6-7 hours at night, nurses and then goes back to sleep for another 2-3 hours. I have been pumping from the breast he does not nurse from after the 6-7 hour stretch and that was working, but it's hard to do on a consistent basis. I am thinking about supplementing with formula, just in the evening once in awhile if I want to go out, but I am afraid that he will not like it, my milk supply will plummet or he will not want to breastfeed anymore. Does anyone have experience with only offering formula once in awhile in the evening (just one feed), and how did it turn out for you? Also, any feedback about breastfeeding with a combination of supplementing with formula would be helpful.

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3 Comments

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Lovda - posted on 07/06/2010

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My daughter nurses her daughter she 6 months now and she does both when she needs to. when she goes much easier pumping in a bottle...she does drink also milk and dairy products which helps alot. good luck

Amy - posted on 07/06/2010

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I started supplementing with formula about 2 weeks after I brought my daughter home from the hospital. My husband and I would alternate feedings at night so Icould get some sleep since I needed to function during the day to take care of our 4 yr old. Up until Sunday she got one bottle of formula a day usually one of the afternoon feeds and I did that because I felt like I wasn't producing enough for her. I just started back to work so unfortunately she is getting more formula now because I do not have a supply built up for her while I'm working. I expect now that I'm back to work I will dry up pretty quickly but you shouldn't see a change if you are only supplementing one bottle here and there.

Keli - posted on 07/06/2010

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i have and do supplement w/ formula. i work 2 days a week and sometimes cant pump enough because of how often he eats and i dont have the time to pump at work. so my husband has to feed him formula. my son takes it fine every now and then we have a little problem because of course he would prefer the breastmilk, but for the most part it is not a problem. i would suggest having your husband (or someone else) feed him with the bottle or else he WILL fuss more. btw, my son is on an almost identical schedule as yours. i have been giving him a formula bottle w/ rice at night to kinda help the transition too.