I need some advise about if i should mix formula and breast milk/
Have you mixed the two together before? I have done it with my son before. Im just wondering, if i can do this, then how do i do it and how do i know if baby is getting enough of what it needs? just asking bc im pregnant again. How long does bm stay good for in freezer and can i put it in fridge? I know not to microwave it. Im planning on pumping and feeding baby by bottle so hubby can help me out at night...
If this is okay then what type of formula would u recomeend?
I personally wouldn't do it. Breastmilk lasts longer than formula if the whole bottle isn't taken while formula has to be dumped. If mixed you lose the good stuff too. Also, pumping and bottling isn't going to help at night. You'll have to be pumping when DH is giving the bottle. Pumping has never been worth it to me. DH helps in other areas with our babes:)
Breastmilk and formula really shouldn't be mixed together in the same bottle, for numerous reasons. If hubby gives bottles, at any time, you NEED to pump for that missed feeding or else you risk supply issues, clogged ducts, and a breast infection called mastitis and also run the risk of baby getting nipple confusion/ bottle preference. There are tons of other things daddy can do to help out with baby. Bottles really are best for when you yourself are not physically there to nurse.
Is there a reason you're interested in mixing them? Breastmilk has everything baby needs and formula can constipate and block the absorption of vitamins and minerals available in mama milk.
And like everyone said - you'll need to pump every single time baby gets a bottle so it doesn't really help at night. What works for us is to have DH he up, change baby and bring her to me to nurse.
check out kellymom.com for times it's good in fridge and freezer.
You know baby is getting enough if they are making enough diapers.
Theres a chart of how long bm is good for on kellymom.com
Exclusively pumping? That requires pumping every 2-3hrs around the clock. I did it for 6 months it's alot of work. if only for night time feedings you may find it's quicker and easier to nurse. As you'd have to get up and pump for every bottle feeding. Bottles should only be 2-3oz with a slow flow nipple baby burped every oz. that never changes
I don't see where you would need to use formula.
Quoting true-love-21:Have you mixed the two together before? I have done it with my son before. Im just wondering, if i can do this, then how do i do it and how do i know if baby is getting enough of what it needs? just asking bc im pregnant again. How long does bm stay good for in freezer and can i put it in fridge? I know not to microwave it. Im planning on pumping and feeding baby by bottle so hubby can help me out at night...
If this is okay then what type of formula would u recomeend?
Have him be the designated dish washer..lol instead or some other chore u loathe
I would not mix the two, simply because I'd want to maximize the breastmilk baby gets. If baby does not finish a bottle of breastmilk you can save it and offer it again at the next feeding. If there's any formula in the bottle, you'll need to toss any left overs. I would give all BM until I ran out, then use formula.
Are you sure you want to exclusively pump? It is a lot more work, and you lose a lot of the benefits breastfeeding provides.
I found it was not much help for me to pump and have dad give a bottle. I still had to pump for every feeding, so it was easier to just not deal with the pump and bottles and just nurse. Dad helped with everything else. If I needed a break I'd had off baby to him right after a good feeding. Night feeding was a breeze when breastfeeding.
Id encourage you to exclusively breastfeed for 4-6 weeks to get your supply established ( much harder to do with a pump) then consider adding pumping and bottles.
This article explains some of the differences between breastfeeding directly and bottle feeding breastmilk. It includes info on maximizing success when exclusively or partially pumping and bottle feeding.
http://thebreastfeedingmother.blogspot.com/2012/07/are-there-differences-between.html
What were the signs?
- true-love-21
on Feb. 5, 2013 at 12:37 PM