Breast Milk and added formula

Emily - posted on 01/24/2009

I totally agree... BREASTMILK IS BEST...always!

Emily - posted on 01/24/2009

I totally agree... BREASTMILK IS BEST...always!

Emily - posted on 01/24/2009

Formula will constipate your little one!! If you plan on switching soley to formula this just something your going to have to deal with until her belly gets used to it.  Im sure she will adjust:) 

Sarah - posted on 01/24/2009

when i started giving my daughter formula she too had trouble with constipation. The doctor said not to be worried unless she went over 3 days. I was giving her Enfimil but i switched her to good start and that cleared up the constipation. but definitely speak to your doctor.

Jennifer - posted on 01/24/2009

When my son was constipated my dr told me to give him a small amount of dark karo syrup in his milk 3 times a day. It worked.

Silvia - posted on 01/23/2009

Always consult with your childs doctor regarding any concerns.. My daughter also had a bit of constapation when I started her on formula. I suggest Nestle formula it is alot easier on your baabies digestive system.

Jenifer - posted on 01/23/2009

All babies digest differently. And like the previous posters stated, as long as they are not hard bowel movements, she is probably fine. I would not feed anything other than breastmilk or formula until she is a few months old. I fyou think she is a little constipated you can stimulate her bowels by inserting a rectal thermometer just a little bit and she will poop if there is anything there. I breastfed all 4 of my children and the first three would poop after every feeding, literally. Then my last daughter would only go about every other day. I was going crazy thinking something was wrong, I even took her to the ER one night, they did x-rays and said that her bowels were full of air. If she is struggling to pass gas, you can fold her legs against her tummy and gently push, that will give her some relief. But anyways, I wouldn't worry too much, but definitely bring up all of your concerns at the dr appt. GOOD LUCK and congratulations on the beautiful baby girl..

Allison - posted on 01/23/2009

That is completely normal. Breastmilk is easier to digest so addformula a little at a time. If he seems uncomfortable try giving him 1/2 an ounce to an ounce of pear juice. You can find it in the baby/toddler section of most grocery stores.

Rebecca - posted on 01/23/2009

Formula is harder for a baby to digest than breast milk is. Her body is most likely just adjusting to the change. Is there any specific reason you decided to add formula? Breast milk alone is sufficient food for a newborn, and is the best thing for her so why add something she doesn't need? Also, by formula feeding her and skipping that nursing session you are possibly decreasing the supply of breast milk your body is making. Hope this helps!

Charmaine - posted on 01/23/2009

Thank you so much those last couple of post def. put my mind to ease. She pooped and her stool is still very soft and she has not strained or showed any pain in moving them. I guess its just me being concerned her father was reassuring me she is ok and that if it made me feel better to ask our pediatrician on Monday when we go for check up. - Thanks Mandy your story def helped me out seeing you to have a daughter and she is only a lil older then my lil one.

Thank you all! and thank you Mindy I will check that website out as well :)

Natasha - posted on 01/22/2009

Hi,



All I will say is that at this age babies bodies are always adjusting. Breast fed babies don't necessarily "go" everyday. Some go up to 10 days without a movement so I wouldn't worry too much. If you notice any straining when she does poo then I would talk to your Dr but it is quite normal for this to happen, especially if you have changed her diet. Of course, if you are concerned it is best to check things out but from my experience with my boy, they change their habits so quickly. We used to have dirty nappies up to 5 times a day, then once a day, then not for a few days so try not to be too worried :)

Mandy - posted on 01/22/2009

I went through this very same concern not too long ago.  I just had a baby girl 2 months ago and I also breastfeed.  At first she use to have many bowel movements a day, almost one to every feeding.  Then I decided to try a bottle of formula around christmas to supplement her so I could have a few christmas drinks, although I had only one drink LOL.  Not long after, her bowel movements slowed down.  She didn't have one in like three days, then she would have an enormous one and then go another two days and have another enormous one.  I was concerned and went to the doctor and he advised not to worry as long as her stools are soft and she doesn't seem to be in pain and pushing when she does have her bowel movements: mostly that the stools are not hard.  He also advised that it is not uncommon for bowel movements to change pattern and not have one for a few days, somtimes babies wont have one for a week.  I still didn't feel satifsfied with this as I wanted a second opinion and ended up taking her to emergency on new years eve only to be told she was fine and many babies can go up to a week without a bowel movement.  It's when baby is not going often and is pooping hard stools when baby is constipated.  I also researched the topic on the internet and read the same information so now I don't worry when she goes days without a bowel movement, I just know to expect big ones :-) LOL

Cristina - posted on 01/22/2009

I agree I believe it is her body adjusting to the formula. Breast milk isn't as heavy as formula is. But if you are concerned, as first time mothers are go ahead and ask her pediatrician. It never hurts to ask and feel better :)

Cara - posted on 01/22/2009

my daughter did the same thing when i intoduced formula. it is probably fine but if it makes you nervouse ask your pediatrition, that is what they are there for.

Crystal - posted on 01/22/2009

you need to be aware of how the bm look, I know it sounds gross but to be considered constipated the bm would be hard. My son would wait for almost two weeks with out having a bm and the doctors kept on saying that every baby is different, but it is normal for a child to be able to wait a few days before needing to go. If it continues or it gets worse you can try prune juice diluted with water, when I do that my son goes the next day.

Marie - posted on 01/22/2009

I wouldnt go adding anything else to baby's diet, except maybe some cooled boiled water just to make sure she's not constapated.  She prob isnt, my son and daughter both had formula and breast milk and they are perfectly fine and never were constapated.

Mindy - posted on 01/22/2009

A really good site to join is babycenter.com It has everything you need to know! I just know they say not to mix formula and breast milk together. Here is a good article... http://www.babycenter.com/404_can-i-mix-...

I also read something else about constipation on there too.. I cant find the article right now but if you just go on there and search it should pull up a bunch of info!!

Charmaine - posted on 01/22/2009

Thanks ladies I appreciate all the advice; I will ask my pediatrician and give the details of her diaper changes as well as her intakes. It helps to know that so many of you went through this, it def. helps to hear your stories!

Thanks

Charm, Sannai and Eric Wilks

Heather - posted on 01/22/2009

If your really concerned, call your pediatrician. But I will tell you from my experience, it seems normal. I nursed my daughter until she was 5 months old, and had to supplement her much of the time with formula because she was having trouble latching. Now she's almost 2, and we have gone through many bowel changes. Formula is much heavier than breastmilk, and changed the color and texture of the bowels. But, I always asked the doctor everytime something changed. Thats just me! Hope this helps.

Lesli - posted on 01/22/2009

my daughter's doctor also recommended 1/4 teaspoon corn syrup in a warm bottle to help with constipation (if that is what is the problem). Also, she recommended (when slowly switching from breast milk to formula) to mix both together so that the breast milk with help with the digestion of the formula. I guess all doctor's are different, so just call to speak with your pediatric nurse.

Barbara - posted on 01/22/2009

Quoting Mary Beth:

My dr told me when all this happened to me is to give dark corn syrup to them in milk or water down juice but I would ask to be sure.

I'd like to meet this doctor so I can smack him.  CORN SYRUP?!  Why not just give her a shot of espresso?

Barbara - posted on 01/22/2009

I would reconsider adding the formula at all.  It is harder to digest than breastmilk, so it is most likely what is causing the constipation.  If your milk supply is down there are simple ways to correct that without having to use formula.  I know that for some reason there are still doctors out there who want to make you think that you can't possibly make enough milk to feed your own child, but in the VAST majority of cases it simply isn't true.  There have been women who've fed quadruplets on nothing but their own breastmilk.  You can do it!

Emily - posted on 01/22/2009

Most def. ask the doctor. Talk to your baby's doctor about anything and everything that concerns you, even if you think it is silly, it might not be. I did the same with my son, I did half breast milk and half formula and I noticed somthing similar to what you did. All formulas are different, I had to switch my son to a lactose free formula, because the one with high amount of iron would constipate him. Try to swich the formula and still talk to your doctor and tell them the kinds of formula, how much she eats...tell them everything...you might turn into one of those crazy, annoying over concerned parents, but its ok.. welcome to motherhood!!! She is very cute too by the way!!!! Congrats...and don't worry to much!!!

Mary Beth - posted on 01/22/2009

Been there. I would not be concerened. Her body is just getting adjusted to the formula. Formula feels their stomachs up more and they will not go as often where as Breast milk goes right thru them. If it is completely out of the norm for you child I would talk to the dr to ease your mind. My dr told me when all this happened to me is to give dark corn syrup to them in milk or water down juice but I would ask to be sure. Eventually she will be back on her regular schedule.