Combination feeding?

[BellaRiven]

I have a question can you combination feed with putting BM in one bottle and formula in another?

I ask because I am still struggling with getting Riven to feed without screaming when he latches, and I think I am close to just giving up and going onto formula, I just can't do it anymore to him or to me it stresses him out and it stresses me out....

Thanks ladies xxx

 

[BevG]

you could i guess, like do 1 feed bm and 1 formula? i combi feed but alyssa latches on and suckles for her bm and then has formula top ups

 

[aliciabubba]

hey bella! I combination feed now. I had to put Ralph on half BM and half formula as he is just a massive guzzler and I just can't keep up with him. I only give him a bottle at night or OH feeds him while I go have a nap. It fills him right up and satisfies his hunger. I also try and express when he is napping so my breasts don't feel engorged and I don't want to loose milk supply. I use Aptimal, he Ralph loves it lol!

Do what you think is best for Riven! xxx big hugs

 

[BellaRiven]

Alicia - do you feed Ralph on the breast? - riven just screams when I try o get him to latch, and to be honest its stressing me out....

How much do you give Ralph in total?

X x x

 

[l_maclean]

How long has he been doing it?? Georgia does that when she's gone on strike. Have you tried feeding him when he's still sorta asleep???

The advice I got was to start like a newborn again - lots of skin to skin, try taking him in the bath etc

Xxx


On my iPhone - so cant see tickers

 

[BellaRiven]

How long has he been doing it?? Georgia does that when she's gone on strike. Have you tried feeding him when he's still sorta asleep???

The advice I got was to start like a newborn again - lots of skin to skin, try taking him in the bath etc

Xxx


On my iPhone - so cant see tickers

He is only a week and a half, I've tried all the newborn methods and even some new ones suggested by the breast feeding lady and he does just scream the house down, he has been doing this every time I try to latch him which at the moment is every time we feed, which we have been doing by syringe with expressed BM as he won't take from me.

 

[l_maclean]

That's terrible. Does he scream when he comes close to you, or can he just not get on and is frustrated?? Have you tried nipple sheilds to make it easier. Xxx


On my iPhone - so cant see tickers

 

[BellaRiven]

He manages to get on but then I think the flow isnt quick enough for him, the BF lady thinks he is just being lazy and stubborn has he can latch right and occasionally he will suck but then he screams.

Like I say it is just turning really stressful for both of us but I still want I'm to have my milk as well..

 

[aliciabubba]

Ralph feeds on breast and I try and breast feed as much as I can during the day and then top him up later on in the day/night with formula. Well Ralph is just a pig at moment lol so he downs a 125ml or more every time. We have the Advent bottles, newborn ones.

You don't want to be stressed out bella, as i'm sure babies pick up on us being stressed. I noticed in the first week I was stressed out, think just getting my head around motherhood and when I was stressed Ralph just wouldn't settle and just scream etc, then Id start balling my eyes out because I just didn't know what was wrong! You do what you think is best for Riven, at least you tried breast feeding, if you know what i mean? But I would try him on the formula and see how he takes it? He may settle down as his tummy will be full etc. How are you feeding him now? Is it still with the syringe? xx

 

[Mrs N]

Harrison used to be like that he was a very windy baby and burping him the whole time helped, also have you noticed how fast your milk flows?? Sometimes it can be too quick so maybe try nipple sheilds?? Also it cud be as I think was the case with my little guy he was very lazy and cudnt be bothered to suck for his milk!!
xxx

 

[BellaRiven]

It is at the moment, think we are going to move to bottle, I'll express what I an then we will top him up with formula.

I feel like I'm quitting but I need Him to be happy and calm and he just isn't this way...

 

[Mrs N]

Hun, dont feel bad if bfing didnt work for you, you are being a fab mum by deciding what is best for your baby and sometimes that means giving them a bottle!! i hope you do manage to sort out the bfing tho!!
xxx

 

[pinkyprincess]

I read this earlier but was feeding so couldn't say anything. I think if you WANT to carry on bfing offer the boob before a bottle and express as much as you can, babies get used to latching and getting the milk more efficiently with age iykwim? By all means if you feel you need to top up! If your milk does dry up, well you can pay yourself on the back for giving baby the best start possible

Agree with the others about nipple shields too!

 

[aliciabubba]

at least he is still getting your milk if you express xxx

 

[TORino]

Is there anyone you can call on for support? A lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist?

Is he gaining weight?

I have a baby who messes about and screams occasionally when latching on but she has reflux. Some babies do fuss at the breast a bit but if it is so severe it is stressing you out and you are dreading feeding it might be better all round, the stress could affect your supply as it is.

Have you tried breast shells? These allow air to flow round your nips and it heals them quickly after feeds if you are really sore.

 

[l_maclean]

Are you still using a syringe?? Def try a bottle, as it will at least prompt him to suck. A syringe it just flows in.

I'm guessing you've probably tried this, but how about using a syringe to drip milk down your nipple when he first goes on, then he'll be getting it quick.

Also if you have a slow let down could you try expressing just a little before you pop him on so it's already started iykwim. Xxx


On my iPhone - so cant see tickers

 

[lyndsey_28]

hey hunny

try not to get to down about it, i bf harry my 2nd really well so though it would be as easy this time around, it wasnt

it didnt matter how much i bf alfie he never settled, i started formula top ups which he guzzled and they settled him a lot better then my bf did but i stil found he screamed consatnly after bf for 2 hrs or more and still topping him up to settle so in the end i gave up and i felt like a big fat faiure, but when i spoke to mw and hv they both said as long as baby and i were both happy thats all that counted, i did feel happier when i swapped but only because he seemed so much more happier and content on formula i stil felt like the failure mommy for quite sometime

but seeing him put weight on made me feel better, why bf he only managed to go 1 n half oz above birth weigh then he lost 1/2 oz so not really gaining, but he put on over a 1lb when i swapped him and now realise it was best for him and tbh is he a really greedy baby still, and had to be swapped to hungrier baby food which has settled him even more

i really dont want you to read this and think i will swap to formula straight away i jusy wat you to know there are others that struggle/ have struggled with bf and if you can find away of exprssing and formula feeds that work for you thats great, its all about being happy with the decisions that you make for the both of you

and remember im always at the ned of the phone if you just wanna, rant, scream or cry i will listen to it all xxxx

 

[BevG]

http://www.pumpingrules.blogspot.co.uk/
http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/bf-links-excpumping/
http://www.mother-2-mother.com/ExclusivePumping.htm

there are many ways to feed your baby, you can feed formula, breast feed, combine both in any way you like or even exclusively pump breastmilk and bottle feed it. just so you know your options i thought id include the above websites, those are on exclusive pumping but also have hints and tips for breastfeeding too

 

[BellaRiven]

hey hunny

try not to get to down about it, i bf harry my 2nd really well so though it would be as easy this time around, it wasnt

it didnt matter how much i bf alfie he never settled, i started formula top ups which he guzzled and they settled him a lot better then my bf did but i stil found he screamed consatnly after bf for 2 hrs or more and still topping him up to settle so in the end i gave up and i felt like a big fat faiure, but when i spoke to mw and hv they both said as long as baby and i were both happy thats all that counted, i did feel happier when i swapped but only because he seemed so much more happier and content on formula i stil felt like the failure mommy for quite sometime

but seeing him put weight on made me feel better, why bf he only managed to go 1 n half oz above birth weigh then he lost 1/2 oz so not really gaining, but he put on over a 1lb when i swapped him and now realise it was best for him and tbh is he a really greedy baby still, and had to be swapped to hungrier baby food which has settled him even more

i really dont want you to read this and think i will swap to formula straight away i jusy wat you to know there are others that struggle/ have struggled with bf and if you can find away of exprssing and formula feeds that work for you thats great, its all about being happy with the decisions that you make for the both of you

and remember im always at the ned of the phone if you just wanna, rant, scream or cry i will listen to it all xxxx

Thanks Lindsey, this makes me feel better about my choice to change to bottle with bm and then top up.

I felt terrible yesterday and like a failure but the only thing that actually matters is my little man he is happier with bottles so we will keep going that way

 

[BellaRiven]

http://www.pumpingrules.blogspot.co.uk/
http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/bf-links-excpumping/
http://www.mother-2-mother.com/ExclusivePumping.htm

there are many ways to feed your baby, you can feed formula, breast feed, combine both in any way you like or even exclusively pump breastmilk and bottle feed it. just so you know your options i thought id include the above websites, those are on exclusive pumping but also have hints and tips for breastfeeding too

Thanks bev I will have a read of these and hopefully get some tips on ho to keep my supply up

Xxx