BF question - combining with formula ?

[Melanie3103]

I wonder if anyone can help me with a bf question...

Is it possible to exclusively bf for the first few days until milk comes in (when it's the "liquid gold" colostrum whatever it's called), and then do half n half in terms of breast milk (from the breast) and then formula feed for the other feeds ?

The part of bf that I'm the least comfortable with (well 2 things really) and I might change my mind of course.. but I'm just researching now... is bf in public when out n about, and the expressing part (I cannot shake the dairy cow image out of my head)...

Before you shoot me down.. I know it's a personal thing.. and I'm just looking into the alternatives and keeping an open mind at this stage.

So... IF I could do 50/50 breast with formula from a bottle - this would be an ideal solution for me, as far as I am concerned. Avoiding the need to bf in public, sharing the feeding with hubby, not having to resort to pumps/expressing, while still passing on antibodies and nutrients to baby from my breast milk, and all the good bonding experience too.

BUT.... what will that do to my milk supply - I have visions of breasts exploding LOL if I only feed 2-3 times per day (ideally at night and first thing in the morning), then switching to formula for the rest of the day... or perhaps the supply merely adjusts ? I don't know. I know they say that feeding regularly and often will help with producing enough milk for all the feeds a baby needs, but what if you only want enough milk for SOME feeds. Or will it simply dry up without feeding or expressing every few hours ???

Thoughts and experiences please ??

Mel x

 

[purpleslurple]

I am combination feeding but didn't start this until 6 weeks when my supply was established. My LO has 2 bottles of formula a day and is breast fed for the rest of the time but I still have to express as my boobs are so full when he's had the formula but in fact, I find that quite handy as I just bottle it to take out with me as I don't BF in public or at MILs etc.

Not sure what would happen if he had more formula and less breast though in terms of supply.

 

[Melanie3103]

Thanks that's good to know. I will do further research, sounds promising though. I just like the flexibility of formula PLUS breast... and if I can reduce or avoid expressing then even better.

So does it take about 6 weeks for milk to be "well established" ? That sounds do-able.

 

[purpleslurple]

I find giving him both gives me a bit more downtime - in fact, my dad is upstairs at the moment putting my LO down for his nap with a bottle of formula and I'm having an uninterrupted lunch for once!

In the early weeks baby needs to feed from you regularly to keep your supply going so I wouldn't introduce formula too early. I would also try and give more breast than formula as your body will adjust and may not make enough milk if you aren't breastfeeding often enough.

You need to also consider that your baby may not be happy to swap between bottle and breast and formula and breast milk - they have to work to get milk from the breast whereas a bottle is instant and they can become lazy. My LO doesn't have a problem and will happily switch between them

 

[CamFi]

Expressing is NOT an essential part of breastfeeding. I exclusively breastfeed and don't express at all. unless you're needing to go back to work early then you shouldn't need to express... provided you can get over your other fear.

Have you considered getting a breastfeeding cape for when you're out in public? then no-one will be able to see a thing. Personally I don't use one, as have found that as long as I'm wearing a top that pulls up rather than down, people don't even notice I'm feeding. Many places have nice parents rooms where you can go breastfeed privately, and when visiting friends you can always go into another room.

combi feeding would probably work in terms of milk supply if you're mostly breastfeeding, but unless you can get over your fear of BF in public, you'd still be limiting the times you can leave the house. for example if you breastfeed the evening feeds, what if you want to go to dinner with friends one day?